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Comment 7 of 27, added on May 27th, 2010 at 5:26 PM.
Hymn to the Night
This poem is Longfellow's tribute to the consolation that night and peace
can bring. He personifies Night, portraying her as a goddess, clad in black
skirts "fringed with light," bending over us lovingly and laying her
"finger on the lips of care." The calm of night can help us to bear the
sorrows that come to all of us, bringing us rest and a welcome release from
stress. The poet invokes this goddess of peace, praying to her to descend
upon him with solace.
Orestes, cited in the last stanza, is a character from the Greek legends of
the Trojan War and its aftermath. Orestes' father, Agamemnon, was an
important Greek leader who was away for 10 years fighting the war, and then
was murdered upon his return by his own wife, Clytemnestra, who had taken a
lover during his absence. Orestes avenged his father's death by killing his
mother and her lover, and for this, he was pursued and tormented endlessly
by the Furies until finally Appollo rescued him from their torture and
granted his anguished prayer for peace.
Leonard Wilson from United States
Comment 6 of 27, added on May 27th, 2010 at 5:26 PM.
Hymn to the Night
This poem is Longfellow's tribute to the consolation that night and peace
can bring. He personifies Night, portraying her as a goddess, clad in black
skirts "fringed with light," bending over us lovingly and laying her
"finger on the lips of care." The calm of night can help us to bear the
sorrows that come to all of us, bringing us rest and a welcome release from
stress. The poet invokes this goddess of peace, praying to her to descend
upon him with solace.
Orestes, cited in the last stanza, is a character from the Greek legends of
the Trojan War and its aftermath. Orestes' father, Agamemnon, was an
important Greek leader who was away for 10 years fighting the war, and then
was murdered upon his return by his own wife, Clytemnestra, who had taken a
lover during his absence. Orestes avenged his father's death by killing his
mother and her lover, and for this, he was pursued and tormented endlessly
by the Furies until finally Appollo rescued him from their torture and
granted his anguished prayer for peace.
Leonard Wilson from United States
Comment 5 of 27, added on January 7th, 2006 at 1:11 PM.
I have to disagree with Joe. Yes it is true that at this moment in time
this poem could represent any peaceful night, but in the 19th century there
was really no hustle and bustle of cars and noise. Today this poem could be
interpreted differently, but during Longfellows time there had to have been
another reason why the night seemed so peaceful.
Amber from United States
Comment 4 of 27, added on June 30th, 2005 at 1:25 PM.
I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THIS POEM HAS TO DO WITH HIS WIFE. ANYONE WHO HAS
STOOD OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSE AT MIDNIGHT, WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD IS
ASLEEP, CAN SENSE THE PEACE OF THE NIGHT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. NO NOISE, NO
TRAFFIC, NO HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE DAY, JUST THE STARS OVERHEAD AND
QUIET.
JOE from United States
Comment 3 of 27, added on May 22nd, 2005 at 9:40 AM.
He lost his wife ,but i think his wife like a tender angel always in his
life ,in his dream ,in his night.
Miguel from China
Comment 2 of 27, added on April 3rd, 2005 at 5:02 AM.
I have recently read this for the teacher's request. It really is a good
one which is maybe famous for its sentencetype in good order or the regular
rhymes. I like it.
阳 from China
Comment 1 of 27, added on November 15th, 2004 at 12:59 PM.
I think that this poem represents the loss of his wife. He is thinking of
her in the night and hears her sounds that he no longer has. She is his
angel, hence why he mentions the wings of flight into the night, perhaps he
senses her there with him in spirit and this is why her writes the poem.
Because he has been borne to bare the burden of his loss of his love.
Noreen from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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This poem is Longfellow's tribute to the consolation that night and peace
can bring. He personifies Night, portraying her as a goddess, clad in black
skirts "fringed with light," bending over us lovingly and laying her
"finger on the lips of care." The calm of night can help us to bear the
sorrows that come to all of us, bringing us rest and a welcome release from
stress. The poet invokes this goddess of peace, praying to her to descend
upon him with solace.
Orestes, cited in the last stanza, is a character from the Greek legends of
the Trojan War and its aftermath. Orestes' father, Agamemnon, was an
important Greek leader who was away for 10 years fighting the war, and then
was murdered upon his return by his own wife, Clytemnestra, who had taken a
lover during his absence. Orestes avenged his father's death by killing his
mother and her lover, and for this, he was pursued and tormented endlessly
by the Furies until finally Appollo rescued him from their torture and
granted his anguished prayer for peace.
Leonard Wilson from United States