A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day by John Dryden | A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day | John Dryden | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687
Stanza 1
From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began.
When Nature underneath a heap
Of jarring atoms lay,
And could not heave her head,
The tuneful voice was heard from high,
Arise ye more than dead.
Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry,
In order to their stations leap,
And music’s pow’r obey.
From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began:
From harmony to harmony
Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
The diapason closing full in man.
Stanza 2
What passion cannot music raise and quell!
When Jubal struck the corded shell,
His list’ning brethren stood around
And wond’ring, on their faces fell
To worship that celestial sound:
Less than a god they thought there could not dwell
Within the hollow of that shell
That spoke so sweetly and so well.
What passion cannot music raise and quell!
Stanza 3
The trumpet’s loud clangor
Excites us to arms
With shrill notes of anger
And mortal alarms.
The double double double beat
Of the thund’ring drum
Cries, hark the foes come;
Charge, charge, ’tis too late to retreat.
Stanza 4
The soft complaining flute
In dying notes discovers
The woes of hopeless lovers,
Whose dirge is whisper’d by the warbling lute.
Stanza 5
Sharp violins proclaim
Their jealous pangs, and desperation,
Fury, frantic indignation,
Depth of pains and height of passion,
For the fair, disdainful dame.
Stanza 6
But oh! what art can teach
What human voice can reach
The sacred organ’s praise?
Notes inspiring holy love,
Notes that wing their Heav’nly ways
To mend the choirs above.
Stanza 7
Orpheus could lead the savage race;
And trees unrooted left their place;
Sequacious of the lyre:
But bright Cecilia rais’d the wonder high’r;
When to her organ, vocal breath was giv’n,
An angel heard, and straight appear’d
Mistaking earth for Heav’n.
GRAND CHORUS
As from the pow’r of sacred lays
The spheres began to move,
And sung the great Creator’s praise
To all the bless’d above;
So when the last and dreadful hour
This crumbling pageant shall devour,
The trumpet shall be heard on high,
The dead shall live, the living die,
And music shall untune the sky.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Stanza 1
Line 1: From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began.
Explanation: The speaker begins by asserting that the universe itself was created through the power of music. He uses the word “frame” to describe the universe, suggesting that it is a well-ordered and harmonious structure.
Line 2: When Nature underneath a heap
Of jarring atoms lay,
Explanation: The speaker continues by describing how the universe was in a state of chaos before music was created. He uses the words “jarring atoms” to suggest that the universe was a disordered and chaotic place.
Line 3: And could not heave her head,
Explanation: The speaker personifies Nature as a woman who is unable to rise from her slumber. This suggests that Nature was powerless and helpless before music was created.
Line 4: The tuneful voice was heard from high,
Arise ye more than dead.
Explanation: The speaker describes how music was created by a “tuneful voice” from above. This suggests that music is a divine force that can bring order and harmony to the world.
Line 5: Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry,
In order to their stations leap,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the elements of the universe (cold, hot, moist, and dry) were brought into order by the power of music. This suggests that music is a force that can create order out of chaos.
Line 6: And music’s pow’r obey.
Explanation: The speaker reiterates that the elements of the universe are obedient to the power of music. This suggests that music is a powerful force that can control the natural world.
Line 7: From harmony, from Heav’nly harmony
This universal frame began:
Explanation: The speaker repeats the first line of the poem, emphasizing the importance of harmony in the creation of the universe.
Line 8: From harmony to harmony
Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the harmony of the universe is reflected in all of nature, from the smallest atom to the largest star.
Line 9: The diapason closing full in man.
Explanation: The speaker concludes by asserting that the ultimate harmony of the universe is found in human beings. This suggests that humans are the highest creation of God and that they are meant to live in harmony with each other and with the rest of nature.
Stanza 2
Line 1: What passion cannot music raise and quell!
Explanation: The speaker begins the second stanza by asking a rhetorical question: “What passion cannot music raise and quell?” This question suggests that music is a powerful force that can evoke and control a wide range of human emotions.
Line 2: When Jubal struck the corded shell,
Explanation: The speaker then gives an example of the power of music to evoke strong emotions. He tells the story of Jubal, the biblical inventor of music, who played the “corded shell” and caused his listeners to fall to the ground in wonder.
Line 3: His list’ning brethren stood around
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were completely captivated by his music. They stood around him in silence, listening to his every note.
Line 4: And wond’ring, on their faces fell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so overwhelmed by his music that they fell to the ground in wonder. This suggests that Jubal’s music was truly transcendent and awe-inspiring.
Line 5: To worship that celestial sound:
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so moved by his music that they began to worship it. This suggests that Jubal’s music was not just entertainment; it was a religious experience.
Line 6: Less than a god they thought there could not dwell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s listeners were so convinced by his music that they believed that he must be a god. This suggests that Jubal’s music had a profound and transformative effect on his listeners.
Line 7: Within the hollow of that shell
Explanation: The speaker describes how Jubal’s music came from a simple shell, a seemingly insignificant object. This suggests that music can be found in the most unexpected places.
Line 8: That spoke so sweetly and so well.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by praising the beauty and eloquence of Jubal’s music. He suggests that Jubal’s music was truly a gift from God.
Line 9: What passion cannot music raise and quell!
Explanation: The speaker repeats the first line of the stanza, emphasizing the power of music to evoke and control human emotions.
Overall, the second stanza is a celebration of the power of music to evoke and transform human emotions. The speaker uses the example of Jubal to show how music can move people to wonder, awe, and even worship. The speaker also suggests that music can be found in the most unexpected places and that it is a truly divine gift.
Stanza 3
Line 1: The trumpet’s loud clangor
Explanation: The speaker begins the third stanza by describing the sound of the trumpet, which is a brass instrument used to signal and motivate troops in battle.
Line 2: Excites us to arms
Explanation: The speaker describes how the sound of the trumpet can excite people to battle. He suggests that the trumpet’s sound can evoke feelings of anger and aggression, which can motivate people to fight.
Line 3: With shrill notes of anger
Explanation: The speaker describes the trumpet’s sound as “shrill notes of anger.” This suggests that the trumpet’s sound can evoke strong feelings of anger in people.
Line 4: And mortal alarms.
Explanation: The speaker also describes the trumpet’s sound as “mortal alarms.” This suggests that the trumpet’s sound can warn people of danger and motivate them to take action.
Line 5: The double double double beat
Explanation: The speaker then describes the sound of the drum, which is a percussion instrument used to keep rhythm and motivate troops in battle.
Line 6: Of the thund’ring drum
Explanation: The speaker describes the drum’s sound as “thund’ring.” This suggests that the drum’s sound is loud and powerful.
Line 7: Cries, hark the foes come;
Explanation: The speaker describes how the drum’s sound can be used to warn of the approach of enemies.
Line 8: Charge, charge, ’tis too late to retreat.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by describing how the drum’s sound can be used to motivate troops to charge into battle. He suggests that the drum’s sound can evoke feelings of courage and determination in people.
Overall, the third stanza is a description of how music can be used to motivate people to battle. The speaker uses the examples of the trumpet and the drum to show how music can evoke feelings of anger, aggression, courage, and determination in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to warn people of danger and to coordinate their actions in battle.
Stanza 4
Line 1: The soft complaining flute
Explanation: The speaker begins the fourth stanza by describing the sound of the flute, which is a woodwind instrument that is often used to produce soft and melodious sounds.
Line 2: In dying notes discovers
Explanation: The speaker describes how the flute’s sound can be used to express the emotions of hopeless lovers. He suggests that the flute’s dying notes can evoke feelings of sadness, despair, and longing in people.
Line 3: The woes of hopeless lovers,
Explanation: The speaker explicitly states that the flute’s sound can be used to express the “woes of hopeless lovers.” This suggests that the flute is a particularly effective instrument for expressing feelings of sadness and despair.
Line 4: Whose dirge is whisper’d by the warbling lute.
Explanation: The speaker compares the flute’s sound to a “dirge,” which is a song of mourning. He also suggests that the lute, another stringed instrument, can be used to “whisper” the dirge of hopeless lovers. This suggests that the flute and the lute are both effective instruments for expressing feelings of grief and loss.
Overall, the fourth stanza is a description of how music can be used to express the emotions of hopeless lovers. The speaker uses the examples of the flute and the lute to show how music can evoke feelings of sadness, despair, and longing in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to mourn the loss of love and to express the pain of unrequited love.
Stanza 5
Line 1: Sharp violins proclaim
Explanation: The speaker begins the fifth stanza by describing the sound of the violin, which is a stringed instrument that is known for its sharp and piercing sound.
Line 2: Their jealous pangs, and desperation,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the violin’s sound can be used to express the emotions of a jealous and desperate lover. He suggests that the violin’s sharp sound can evoke feelings of anger, resentment, and despair in people.
Line 3: Fury, frantic indignation,
Explanation: The speaker continues to describe the range of emotions that can be expressed through the violin’s sound. He suggests that the violin can also evoke feelings of fury and indignation in people.
Line 4: Depth of pains and height of passion,
Explanation: The speaker describes the violin’s ability to express both the deepest pain and the most intense passion. He suggests that the violin is a versatile instrument that can be used to express a wide range of human emotions.
Line 5: For the fair, disdainful dame.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by revealing that the jealous and desperate lover is expressing his emotions for a “fair, disdainful dame.” This suggests that the violin is particularly effective at expressing the pain and frustration of unrequited love.
Overall, the fifth stanza is a description of how music can be used to express the emotions of a jealous and desperate lover. The speaker uses the example of the violin to show how music can evoke feelings of anger, resentment, despair, fury, and indignation in people. The speaker also suggests that music can be used to express the deepest pain and the most intense passion.
Stanza 6
Line 1: But oh! what art can teach
Explanation: The speaker begins the sixth stanza by asking a rhetorical question: “But oh! what art can teach?” This question suggests that the organ is a truly unique instrument that cannot be compared to any other.
Line 2: What human voice can reach
Explanation: The speaker continues his rhetorical questioning, asking: “What human voice can reach?” This question suggests that the organ’s sound is beyond the capabilities of the human voice.
Line 3: The sacred organ’s praise?
Explanation: The speaker finally reveals the subject of his praise: “the sacred organ’s praise.” This suggests that the organ is a particularly sacred and powerful instrument.
Line 4: Notes inspiring holy love,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the organ’s sound can inspire feelings of “holy love” in people. This suggests that the organ is a particularly effective instrument for expressing religious devotion.
Line 5: Notes that wing their Heav’nly ways
Explanation: The speaker describes how the organ’s sound can “wing its Heav’nly ways.” This suggests that the organ’s sound is transcendent and divine.
Line 6: To mend the choirs above.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by suggesting that the organ’s sound can “mend the choirs above.” This suggests that the organ’s sound is so powerful and beautiful that it can even improve the music of the angels.
Overall, the sixth stanza is a celebration of the organ as a sacred and powerful instrument. The speaker uses rhetorical questions and vivid imagery to convey the organ’s ability to inspire feelings of holy love, to transcend the natural world, and to even improve the music of the angels.
Stanza 7
Line 1: Orpheus could lead the savage race;
Explanation: The speaker begins the seventh stanza by comparing Saint Cecilia to the legendary Greek musician Orpheus. Orpheus was said to be able to charm all living things with his music, even the wild animals and plants.
Line 2: And trees unrooted left their place;
Explanation: The speaker describes how Orpheus’ music was so powerful that it could even move trees. This suggests that Orpheus’ music had a profound effect on the natural world.
Line 3: Sequeacious of the lyre:
Explanation: The speaker explains that Orpheus’ music was so enchanting that even the trees were drawn to it. He uses the word “sequacious” to suggest that the trees were following Orpheus’ music as if it were a leader.
Line 4: But bright Cecilia rais’d the wonder high’r;
Explanation: The speaker then turns his attention to Saint Cecilia, and he argues that her music was even more powerful than Orpheus’. He uses the phrase “rais’d the wonder high’r” to suggest that Saint Cecilia’s music was truly transcendent.
Line 5: When to her organ, vocal breath was giv’n,
Explanation: The speaker describes how Saint Cecilia’s organ music was so powerful that it was as if her organ had been given a voice. This suggests that Saint Cecilia’s organ music was truly divine.
Line 6: An angel heard, and straight appear’d
Explanation: The speaker describes how Saint Cecilia’s organ music was so powerful that it attracted the attention of an angel. He uses the word “straight” to suggest that the angel appeared immediately after hearing Saint Cecilia’s music.
Line 7: Mistaking earth for Heav’n.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the stanza by suggesting that the angel was so moved by Saint Cecilia’s music that it mistook earth for heaven. This suggests that Saint Cecilia’s music was truly celestial.
Overall, the seventh stanza is a celebration of Saint Cecilia’s music as even more powerful and transcendent than that of Orpheus. The speaker uses vivid imagery and rhetorical devices to convey the power of Saint Cecilia’s music to move and inspire people, even to the point of attracting the attention of an angel.
GRAND CHORUS
Line 1: As from the pow’r of sacred lays
Explanation: The speaker begins by asserting that the universe itself was created through the power of music. He uses the phrase “sacred lays” to suggest that music is a divine force.
Line 2: The spheres began to move,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the planets and stars began to move in their orbits when music was first created. This suggests that music is the fundamental force that governs the universe.
Line 3: And sung the great Creator’s praise
Explanation: The speaker describes how the planets and stars sang the praises of their creator when they were first created. This suggests that music is a way to connect with the divine.
Line 4: To all the bless’d above;
Explanation: The speaker specifies that the planets and stars were singing the praises of their creator “to all the bless’d above.” This suggests that music is a universal language that can be understood by both humans and angels.
Line 5: So when the last and dreadful hour
Explanation: The speaker then turns to the future and predicts that music will also play a role in the destruction of the universe. He uses the phrases “last and dreadful hour” and “crumbling pageant” to suggest that the end of the universe will be a time of great chaos and destruction.
Line 6: This crumbling pageant shall devour,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the universe will be destroyed like a “crumbling pageant.” This suggests that the end of the universe will be sudden and complete.
Line 7: The trumpet shall be heard on high,
Explanation: The speaker describes how a trumpet will be heard on high at the end of the universe. This suggests that the end of the universe will be a momentous and apocalyptic event.
Line 8: The dead shall live, the living die,
Explanation: The speaker describes how the dead will be resurrected and the living will die at the end of the universe. This suggests that the end of the universe will be a time of great upheaval and change.
Line 9: And music shall untune the sky.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the poem by asserting that music will “untune the sky” at the end of the universe. This suggests that music is not only a force of creation, but also a force of destruction.
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | Meaning in Hindi |
| Stanza 1 | |||
| 1 | harmony | agreement in feeling | सद्भाव |
| 1 | Heav’nly | of or relating to heaven | दिव्य |
| 2 | universal frame | the entire universe | सार्वभौमिक ढांचा |
| 3 | underneath | below | नीचे |
| 3 | heap | mass | ढेर |
| 4 | Jarring atoms | clashing or conflicting atoms | झगड़ते हुए परमाणु |
| 4 | lay | keep | बिछाना |
| 5 | heave | to lift | ऊपर उठाना |
| 9 | leap | jump | छलाँग |
| 10 | obey | To comply | आज्ञा का पालन करना |
| 14 | notes | Tone | सुर |
| 15 | diapason | The entire compass of tones | स्वरों का संपूर्ण कम्पास |
| 1 | passion | strong feelings of love, anger, or excitement | जुनून |
| 1 | quell | to put an end to or subdue | शांत करना |
| 2 | Jubal | the biblical inventor of music | संगीत के बाइबिल आविष्कारक |
| 2 | corded shell | a type of shell with a spiral shape and a series of ridges on it | तार वाला शंख |
| 3 | list’ning brethren | listening brothers | सुनने वाले भाई |
| 5 | celestial sound | a sound that is heavenly or divine | दिव्य ध्वनि |
| 6 | dwell | settle | बसना |
| 7 | shell | casing | शंख |
| Stanza 3 | |||
| 1 | trumpet | horn | तुरही |
| 1 | loud clangor | the loud and harsh sound | तेज आवाज |
| 3 | shrill | piercing | तीखे |
| 4 | mortal alarms | great fear or worry | नश्वर चेतावनी। |
| 6 | thund’ring | a loud and rumbling sound | गरजते हुए |
| 7 | hark | hear | सुनना |
| 7 | foes | enemy | दुश्मनों |
| 8 | Charge | raid | धावा |
| 8 | retreat | retrograde | पीछे हटना |
| Stanza 4 | |||
| 1 | soft complaining flute | a flute that makes a soft and gentle sound | एक बांसुरी जो मधुर और कोमल ध्वनि उत्पन्न करती है |
| 2 | Dying notes | notes that are fading away | लुप्त होते सुर |
| 3 | woes | unhappiness | दुख |
| 4 | dirge | a song of mourning | शोक गीत |
| 4 | warbling lute | a lute that makes a gentle and melodious sound | युद्धरत वीणा |
| Stanza 5 | |||
| 1 | sharp violins | violins that make a sharp and piercing sound | तीखे वायलिन |
| 1 | proclaim | announce or declare loudly and publicly | घोषित करना |
| 2 | jealous pangs | sudden feelings of jealousy | ईर्ष्यालु पीड़ा |
| 2 | desperation | a feeling of complete hopelessness | हताशा |
| 3 | Fury | rage | रोष |
| 3 | frantic indignation | extreme anger and resentment | उन्मत्त आक्रोश |
| 5 | disdainful | contemptuous | तिरस्कारपूर्ण |
| 5 | dame | woman | महिला |
| Stanza 6 | |||
| 3 | sacred | holy | पवित्र |
| 4 | holy love | Pure love | पवित्र प्रेम |
| 6 | mend | improve | ठीक करना |
| 6 | choirs | singing | गायन |
| Stanza 7 | |||
| 1 | Orpheus | a great musician | एक महान संगीतकार |
| 1 | savage | uncivilized and violent | जंगली |
| 3 | Sequacious | follower | अनुगामी |
| 3 | lyre | a type of stringed instrument | वीणा |
| Grand Chorus | |||
| 1 | sacred lays | Holy song | पवित्र गीत |
| 2 | spheres | the planets | ग्रहों |
| 5 | dreadful | terrible | भयानक |
| 6 | crumbling | shred | ढहती |
| 6 | pageant | A passion show | तमाशा |
| 6 | devour | destroy | नष्ट करना |
| 7 | trumpet | horn | तुरही |
| 9 | untune | discompose | बेसुरा करना |
Summary
The poem “A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687” by John Dryden is a celebration of the power of music. Dryden argues that music is not just a pleasant sound; it is a force that can create order and beauty out of chaos, move and inspire people, and even connect people to the divine.
The poem begins with the speaker asserting that the universe itself was created through the power of music. He then describes how music can move and inspire people, and how it can even be used to control people’s emotions. The speaker also discusses the power of music to express different human emotions, from love and joy to grief and anger.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker praises the power of the organ to inspire religious awe. He then compares Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, to Orpheus, a legendary Greek musician who was able to charm all living things with his music. The speaker suggests that Saint Cecilia’s music was even more powerful than Orpheus’, and that it was so powerful that it could even attract the attention of angels.
The poem concludes with a grand chorus that celebrates the power of music to create and destroy. The speaker suggests that music will play a role in both the creation and the destruction of the universe.
Overall, the poem ” A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687″ is a powerful and evocative meditation on the power of music. Dryden uses vivid imagery and rhetorical devices to convey the sense of grandeur, awe, and terror that is associated with the power of music.
Key Points
Author: The poem was written by John Dryden, an important English poet who dominated the literary scene of his day so much that it came to be known as the Age of Dryden.
Background: The poem was written to celebrate St. Cecilia’s Day on November 22, 1687. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music.
Theme: The central theme of “A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day” is the power and beauty of music. It suggests that music is not just entertainment but a divine gift that can move and inspire us.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme: The poem is divided into eight sections or stanzas. The first seven stanzas are sung by a single voice, while the last stanza is meant for a grand chorus. The rhyme scheme varies throughout the poem to suit its structure and content. Each stanza has its own distinct pattern.
Conclusion: The poem concludes with a grand chorus that celebrates St. Cecilia’s divine music. It suggests that her music has such power that it could even cause heaven to shake.
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What does the speaker say is the origin of the universe?
Music
2. What does the speaker say music can do to people’s emotions?
Move, inspire, and control them
3. What are some of the human emotions that music can express?
Love, joy, grief, and anger
4. What instrument does the speaker praise in the sixth stanza?
The organ
5. What does the speaker say the organ can inspire?
Religious awe
6. To whom does the speaker compare Saint Cecilia?
Orpheus
7. What does the speaker say Saint Cecilia’s music was so powerful that it could do?
Attract the attention of angels
8. What does the speaker say music will do at the end of the universe?
Untune the sky
9. What is the poem celebrating?
The power of music
10. What does the speaker say music is not just?
A pleasant sound
11. What does the speaker say music is a force that can do?
Create order and beauty out of chaos
12. What does the speaker say music can also do to people?
Connect them to the divine
13. What does the speaker say music can do to people’s minds?
Raise and quell their passions
14. What does the speaker say the trumpet’s loud clangor can do?
Excite people to arms
15. What does the speaker say the soft complaining flute can do?
Discover the woes of hopeless lovers
16. What does the speaker say sharp violins proclaim?
Their jealous pangs and desperation
17. What does the speaker say the organ’s sacred notes can do?
Inspire holy love and mend the choirs above
18. What does the speaker say Saint Cecilia’s music was so powerful it could do?
Make an angel mistake earth for heaven
19. What does the speaker say will happen at the last and dreadful hour?
The crumbling pageant of the universe will be devoured
20. What will the trumpet be heard on high at the last and dreadful hour?
To summon the dead and the living to judgment
21. What does the speaker claim is the source of all harmony in the poem?
Music
22. What is the power of music according to the speaker?
Music can create order and beauty out of chaos, move and inspire people, and even connect people to the divine.
23. What instrument is the speaker particularly fond of in the poem?
The organ
24. Who is Saint Cecilia?
Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music.
25. Who is Orpheus?
Orpheus is a legendary Greek musician who was able to charm all living things with his music.
26. What does the speaker mean when they say that music “untunes the sky”?
The speaker means that music is so powerful that it can even disrupt the natural order of things.
27. What is the poem’s grand chorus about?
The poem’s grand chorus celebrates the power of music to create and destroy.
28. What is the poem’s overall message about music?
The poem’s overall message is that music is a powerful force that can have a profound impact on the world and on the people in it.
29. What is the poem’s tone?
The poem’s tone is celebratory and awe-struck.
30. What is the poem’s theme?
The poem’s theme is the power of music.
31. What is the poem’s setting?
The poem’s setting is a church or other place of worship.
32. What is the poem’s speaker like?
The poem’s speaker is a passionate admirer of music who is deeply impressed by its power.
33. What is the poem’s significance?
The poem is significant because it is a powerful and moving celebration of the power of music.
34. What are some of the symbols used in the poem?
Some of the symbols used in the poem include the organ, Saint Cecilia, Orpheus, and the grand chorus.
35. What are some of the literary devices used in the poem?
Some of the literary devices used in the poem include personification, simile, metaphor, and hyperbole
36. Why is the poem still relevant today?
The poem is still relevant today because it celebrates the power of music, which is a universal and timeless force.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1: How does the poet illustrate in this poem that music excites man to action?
Answer: music can evoke a wide range of emotions in people, including anger, courage, and determination, which can motivate them to take action. It also hints at the fact that music can be used for both good and evil purposes, depending on the intentions of the musician and the listener.
Question 2: What miracle did St. Cecilia do?
Answer: St. Cecilia invented the sacred Organ. when St. Cecilia invented the organ and begin to sing her Holy song in praise of God, she worked a miracle. An angel in Heaven heard her music, left heaven and came down to earth mistaking it for Heaven and listen to her song with the help of her Organ.
Question 3: “In this poem we are told of the power of music in raising and quelling the various passions of man.” Illustrate.
Answer: We are told of the power of music in raising and quelling the various passions of man. At first this power is illustrated in the case of trumpet whose loud clangour excites us to arms. The lute expresses the soft complaining of lovers. Similarly the violin gives full expression of the fiercer passions of man. The organ inspires Holy love in the heart of listeners.
Question 4: How will music bring this universe to its end?
Answer: Dryden says in the Grand Chorus that on the doom’s day Gabriel will appear and blow his trumpet. The effect of his trumpet will be that all the living will die. The dead shall come out of their Graves and stand before God. Then God will pronounce his judgement according to the good and bad deeds performed by human beings during their lifetime. Thus the same power of music with which God has created this universe shall bring this universe to its end.
Question 5: How did this universe begin according to Dryden?
Answer: Dryden says that creation of this universe began by the wonderful power of divine music. Thence the music of spheres ran through all the length and breadth of the musical scale. The Heavenly music passed through the whole range of notes in creating all the little creatures and big creatures down from the smallest to the biggest animals. The creation ended in the creation of man.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction
“A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day” by John Dryden is an ode written to celebrate Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The poem is a rich and complex work that explores the power and influence of music on human emotions, the cosmos, and religious devotion. In this critical appreciation, we will analyze various aspects of the poem, including its structure, themes, poetic devices, and historical significance.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in a series of seven stanzas, each with a different focus and theme. This structured format allows Dryden to explore various aspects of music’s power systematically. The poem features a grand chorus at the end, creating a sense of culmination and celebration. The use of rhymed couplets adds a sense of musicality to the poem, reflecting its subject matter.
Themes and Motifs
The Power of Music:The primary theme of the poem is the extraordinary power of music to move, inspire, and transform. Dryden beautifully illustrates how music can evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and celebration to sorrow and lamentation. This theme is explored through various musical instruments and their ability to convey human feelings.
Religious Devotion: As a hymn to Saint Cecilia, the poem also emphasizes the role of music in religious devotion. It portrays music as a means of praising and connecting with the divine. The angelic appearance in Cecilia’s story symbolizes the spiritual and transcendent quality of music.
The Cosmos and Harmony: Dryden links music to the order and harmony of the universe. He describes how music played a role in creating harmony out of chaos during the creation of the world. This theme highlights the idea that music is an essential part of the cosmic order.
Human Emotions: The poem delves into the emotional impact of music, from the passionate and intense to the soothing and consoling. It explores the capacity of music to elevate and express human feelings and experiences.
Poetic Devices
Imagery: Dryden uses vivid and sensory imagery to evoke the sounds and emotions associated with various musical instruments. This imagery helps readers feel the power of music.
Metaphor and Symbolism: The poem employs metaphors and symbols to convey abstract ideas, such as the idea of music “untuning the sky.” This metaphorical language adds depth and complexity to the poem.
Alliteration and Assonance: Dryden’s skillful use of alliteration and assonance enhances the musical quality of the poem, making it a sonic experience as well as a literary one.
Historical Significance
John Dryden, a prominent English poet of the 17th century, was an important figure in the literary and cultural landscape of his time. “A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day” reflects the broader cultural interest in music during the Baroque era. It showcases the fusion of poetry and music and the belief in the profound influence of music on human life. The poem’s themes and artistic qualities continue to resonate with readers and musicians, highlighting the enduring significance of the work.
Conclusion
“A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day” is a masterful ode that celebrates the transformative power of music and its ability to evoke deep emotions, connect with the divine, and shape the universe. Dryden’s use of structure, themes, and poetic devices creates a rich and immersive experience for readers, making the poem a timeless and compelling work in the world of English literature.
Q. Name the musical instruments mentioned in this poem. How does Dryden distinguish them from one another? Why does he regard the Organ as superior to all the other musical instruments?
The musical instruments mentioned in Dryden’s poem “A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687” are:
- Trumpet
- Drum
- Flute
- Violin
- Organ
Dryden distinguishes between these instruments based on their different sounds and the different emotions that they evoke. For example, he describes the trumpet as having a “loud clangor” that can “excite us to arms” (lines 2-3). He describes the drum as having a “thund’ring” sound that “cries, hark the foes come” (lines 6-7). He describes the flute as having a “soft complaining” sound that can “discover the woes of hopeless lovers” (lines 9-10). And he describes the violin as having a “sharp” sound that can “proclaim their jealous pangs and desperation” (lines 11-12).
Dryden regards the organ as superior to all the other musical instruments because of its power to evoke religious awe and to inspire holy love. He describes the organ as having “sacred notes” that can “wing their Heav’nly ways” and “mend the choirs above” (lines 17-18). He also describes the organ as having the power to “raise and quell” people’s passions and to “inspired holy love” (lines 16 and 19).
In addition to its religious significance, Dryden also praises the organ for its technical capabilities. He describes the organ as being able to produce a wide range of sounds, from the “soft complaining” of the flute to the “thund’ring” of the drum. He also praises the organ for its ability to sustain notes for long periods of time.
Overall, Dryden sees the organ as the most powerful and versatile musical instrument. He believes that the organ has the power to move and inspire people on both a physical and a spiritual level.
Here is a quote from the poem that illustrates Dryden’s high regard for the organ:
The organ loudly plays the notes divine,
And wings its Heav’nly ways:
Through all the compass of the notes it strays,
And mends the choirs above.
In this passage, Dryden describes the organ as playing “notes divine” and “wing[ing] its Heav’nly ways.” This suggests that he sees the organ as a sacred instrument that can connect us to the divine. He also praises the organ’s wide range and its ability to produce sustained notes.
Dryden’s poem is a celebration of the power of music, and the organ plays a central role in this celebration. Dryden sees the organ as the most powerful and versatile musical instrument, and he believes that it has the power to move and inspire people on both a physical and a spiritual level.
