Comparing poems:“Digging” by Seamus Heaney and “Ozymadias” by Percy Shelly

Comparing poems:“Digging” by Seamus Heaney and “Ozymadias” by Percy Shelly

In poetry, a theme is considered as the general statement touching on the subject that all the components of the poetry have been integrated to develop. So, without a theme, a poem has only arbitrary characters and events. Therefore, themes in poetry are the understated but vital ingredients which team up to make a poem more meaningful. A poem without any outstanding theme risks being worthless

In both “Digging” by Seamus Heaney and “Ozymadias” by Percy Shelly, the theme of hard work has been central in both the poems. However, the manner in which the authors have presented this theme brings about an outstanding difference between the two poems as far as this theme is concerned. For instance, Seamus Heaney’s poem has a lone central conceit by which he has presented an analogy to compare his pen as a poet with his forefather’s spades (Parker, 34). Clearly, the comparison he creates here act as a meta-narrative instrument in the poem, where the metaphor he uses and commenting on acts as an active way of expressing the theme of hard work.

Seamus Heaney choice of words as he navigates through the poem depicts the efforts put by his forefathers tilling the land (Parker, 34). As readers, we get to know that his father was an old man to an extent that under normal circumstances was not supposed to be taking place in vigorous activities like farming. As if that was not enough, his grandfather was also active in farming. Under these and several other circumstances, we get to imagine of the scenario and can conclude that this was really hard work.

The two old men have been depicted to be struggling in the sector of farming, probably because of their age and old people are entitled not to take place in strenuous activities (Shelley, 19). The struggle of the old men in farming can also be understood from the pity extended by the persona to his father when he observes his spade sink into the ground. Similarly, the ability of his grandfather to handle the spade in his farming operations have been presented as doubtful, this is set clear by the line when he associates the ability with God. The struggle by the two old men regardless of their ages has set the hard work theme in the poem profound.

Despite of the age of the grandfather, we also get to know that he was ranked top in the Toner’s bog. Because he was could cut more turf in a day (Shelley, 19). Logically, this is unexpected under normal situations where old men and women ability to work is minimal. Therefore, the statement sets it clear that the old man was hard working for him to come out being the best in cutting turf than any other man on Toner’s bog.

The grandfather seems to avoid time wasting and rather multitasking. When milk is brought to him with a bottle by the grandson, we get to realize how he straightens up to take the milk (Shelley, 19). While taking the milk, he keeps himself busy as well nicking and slicing neatly. He does not take long to take the milk before he goes down again and continuous with his routine of digging. The manner in which the old man contacts himself at this point in time is another clear indication of hard work theme being sphere headed in the poem. This is especially in comparison to what happens when it comes to the time of taking meals under normal circumstances, people tend to relax and take several hours before they get back to work (Shelley, 19).

The manner in which the father of persona was dedicating his attention tilling the land depicts his hard working routine as well. Basing the argument on the second line of the third paragraph “Bends low, comes up twenty years away” is a show of how he committed his whole attention on tilling and without entertaining distractions (Hout, 12). Also, the rhythmic stooping through the potato drills further supports the point of full dedicated attention displayed by the old man. Connecting the idea of rhythm in this setting to that of a song, we conclude that the old man was definitely tilling without getting a break for him to be able to achieve the rhythmic stooping as it has been outlined.

The writer at the end of the poem seems to have realized the rewards of the hard work exhibited by his forefathers (Hout, 13). We get to make such a conclusion on the basis of what he ultimately vows, that he will follow the footsteps of his forefathers although not exactly by the use of a spade. Vowing to follow the footsteps of his forefathers, especially in consideration to what he has seen them go through in their farming, it’s a clear indication that after all the difficulty situations he managed to see them go through there were still observable rewards. Otherwise, after the entire struggle he managed to see them go through he would have negative attitude towards hard work (Hout, 12).

“Between my figure and my thumb”

“The squat pen rests”

“I’ll dig with it”

Diverting the attention to “Ozymadias” by Percy Shelly, the manner in which the theme of hard work rewards. The choice of words in the poem is more of discouraging the readers against hard work. King Ozymandias is presented to be in regret of the hard work which he managed to do while alive but yet seen no rewards. This presses him against the wall to an extent of having a feeling of discouraging the generations to come which may have the spirit of hard work like him. This is clear from the words appearing on the pedestal (Foster, Harold, Harold and Percy, 1)

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:”

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Comparing the two poems, “Digging” by Seamus Heaney has effectively managed to profoundly express the rewards of hard work. Seamus Heaney’s efforts to pass this theme were considerable maximized. Right from beginning he has used every kind of poetic devices from metaphors to similes. Through such efforts, as readers, we get to understand clearly how the theme of hard work rewards comes in the poem. This is contrally to what we encounter in “Ozymadias” by Percy Shelly, where the author does not even set clear the works which he refers at the end of the poem. This leaves the readers in suspense since they have no idea of the works which the author quotes at the end of the poem.

Work cited

Foster, Harold D., D. Harold, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. “The Ozymandias principles.” (2017):     pp.1-4

Hout, Michael. Following in father’s footsteps: Social mobility in Ireland. Harvard University        Press, 2014: pp.12-17

Parker, Michael. Seamus Heaney: the making of the poet. University of Iowa Press, 2013:pp.34-   38

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Shelley’s Poetry and Prose. Digireads. com Publishing, 2015: 19-34