So this is what I can come up with for this poem so far.
Andrew Marvell wrote it as though sailors were singing it. Thats what the lines "from a small boat, the listening winds received this song" means. Then the sailors are thanking God for guiding them through the ocean to this unknown island, which I guess is Bermuda. He says God gives the people everything they need. Towards the end of the poem, he mentions making a temple and "let our voice praise God." This could be about traveling long distances for religious freedom because that is what happened in England and that is where he is from. At the very end of the poem he mentions the sailors again. He says they are from England (which is another reason it could be about religious freedom.) So thats what I got out of it. Please add to this if you figure out something else.
4 comments:
You're right about the song. The sailors are singing about the Bermuda islands, and they are thanking god for guiding them there. They are also thanking him for protection against sea-monsters, and storms. They praise him for the food he is supplying them, and jewels and riches much better than the ones at Ormus. I looked Ormus up, and it's Port that was well known in the 16th century for trading, and I'm guessing lots of jewels passed through there, or were for sale there. You're also right about building a church to praise god.
I think they sing this song as they sail to keep morale up.
This poem is definitely a song and I actually really like it. The whole thing about them talking about God shows you how faithful they are to him and what they believe in. The sailors pray to him for a safe voyage and they fear if they don't, they won't have a safe voyage and make it to their destination. THis poem greatly symbolizes faith and the belief in God.
Heather Brooks
Yes I believe these sailors are praising God for thier good fortune but I think they are also giving thanks that they are being saved from "prelates rage". A prelate is a senior clergyman. These sailors may feel like they have more freedom by sailing the seas and think they can get away with more but can't get away from the eye of God.
In this poem/song, Andrew Marvel talks about Puritans going to the Bermudas to set things up there because it's the closest thing to perfect in the world. They do this to escape from the corruption and other numerous problems that occur in everyday life. In the Bermudas they can have their own beliefs, values, etc. The song is about praise and glory to God. It was made to go along with the rowing of oars as well.
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