Do not go gentle into that good night

by Hortensia 59 Replies latest social entertainment

  • Hortensia
    Hortensia

    I looked this up because I was remembering it wrong. I thought it was "do not go gentle into that dark night" and "rage against the dying of the moon" for some reason. That was a little confusing because the moon has a rebirth and I was wondering what the author's point was. So I googled it and here it is:

    Do not go gentle into that good night,
    Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

    Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
    Because their words had forked no lightning they
    Do not go gentle into that good night.
    Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
    Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

    Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
    And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
    Do not go gentle into that good night.

    Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
    Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

    And you, my father, there on the sad height,
    Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
    Do not go gentle into that good night.
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

    It doesn't mean what I thought it meant. I thought it was anger at dying, but on this reading it seems to be more about living. The darkness is gentle, but we shouldn't passively accept it. Live life fully - rage against the darkness. Also does it mean he wants his dying father to fight for life?

  • John Doe
    John Doe

    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

  • John Doe
    John Doe

    oops

  • compound complex
  • beksbks
    beksbks

    Old age should burn and rave at close of day

  • amicus
    amicus

    The wise prepare both for struggle and flight

  • Hortensia
    Hortensia

    yes, it seems like a contradiction. The darkness is good, but you should rage against it? It seems as though there are two messages here - one about living life fully and the other about his father dying.

  • amicus
    amicus

    oops as well

  • beksbks
    beksbks

    Oops, yes

  • Hortensia
    Hortensia

    amicus - that is very well put.

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