Running Head: The Pillar of Fame 1

The Pillar of Fame by Robert Herrick Analysis

Herald Liswani Sabuta

Introduction

This paper seeks to analyze The Pillar of Fame by Robert Herrick. The paper
compromises of who Robert Herrick was, the meaning of the poem, sentence analysis of the
poem, the structure of the poem, poetic devices, themes and the conclusion.

Definition of Terms

Pillar

A strong column made of stone, metal, or wood that supports part of a building.
(McIntosh, 2013)

Fame

The state of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of
notable achievements. (Simpson, 2008)

Who was Robert Herrick

Mr. Herrick was a 17th-century English lyric poet and cleric. He is best known for
Hesperides, a book of poems. This includes the carpe diem poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much
of Time", with the first line “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” He was born on the 24th of
August 1591 and was buried on the 15th of October 1674. (Wikipedia, 2018)

The meaning of The Pillar of Fame

It is firstly important to notice the structure of the poem. The poem is shaped in the form
of a pillar. Why is this, one may ask? Well it is simply because the poem itself is the pillar.
Herrick was trying to show us that with his poem or poetry he is setting this pillar which shall
bring him fame and out last anything. This is true because here we are today talking about his
poetry just as he had hoped and went as far as shaping the poem in form of a pillar.

Sentence Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with the pillar of fame being set and will outlast the tangible traces it
can leave behind, such as statues or shrines. Fame is "Charmed and enchanted so as to withstand
the blow of overthrow," meaning that it has been tempered as to be able to endure whatever may
challenge it and try to bring the person down from prominence. It is saying that once you have
The Pillar of Fame 3

ascended the pillar of fame, you will stay there. The next sentence states that it cannot even be
toppled by the wrath of Mother Nature, or wars that could take down a kingdom. The Pillar of
Fame will outlast all and endure beyond the one who is on top of it. The line, "But stand for ever
by his own firm and well-fixed foundation," is saying that fame is self-supporting and can live
forever. (Williams, 2008)

Structure of the Poem

The structure of the poem is as follows:

• Emblem/Hieroglyphic Poem

• Rhyme scheme: aabbcccdd

• Sonnet

• Amount of stanzas: 1

• Amount of lines: 14

• First four lines of the poem represent the top of the pillar

• Lines 5-12 can represent the middle part or section of the pillar.

• Line 13-14 could represent the base or bottom of the pillar.

• Mood of the speaker: Declarative

Poetic Devices

• Symbolism & Imagery. The main image of the poem is that of imagery and symbolism
with regard to the pillar. We also see kingship imagery suggested by words such as
“kingdoms.” The kingship here could be that of King Charles.

• Rhyme line 1,2 ,3,48,9,10,11 & 12

• Line 5 & 7. These lines are written differently from the rest of the poem. This is because
they act as the “supporting lines” of the pillar. If we were to pull these lines out or
remove them the pillar would fall and come crashing down. This also shows us that the
pillar is vulnerable or can be vulnerable.
The Pillar of Fame 4

• Repetition Line 5&8

• Hyperbole line 13. The word “forever” in line 13 is a bit of an exaggeration because
nothing lasts forever but here we are told that this pillar will. If we were to consider the
poetic part of it this could be true because here I am analyzing Herrick’s poem. However
in a literal sense this could absolutely be a bit farfetched.

• Personification “his” line 13

• Line 14 (No perfect rhyme). This is done to show that the pillar is strong and can stand
on its own.

• Alliteration line 14. The alliteration of the f at the beginning of the three words “firm,”
“fixed,” and “foundation” shows us that the pillar does not conform to ideas of society.
Society in this case meaning Herrick’s poetry. His poetry is different and can stand on its
own.

• Metaphysical Conceit is how fame is compared to a pillar as being immortal

Themes

• Fame is self-supporting. This is evident by the fact that Herrick’s poetry is still widely
read today across the world.

• Fame is beautiful but may also be dangerous (warns us in line 10&11). This could simply
mean that with fame we may not be able to erase certain things down in the past. They
live on forever and will always be there to come and hunt us.

• The poem centers around the theme of time and how short the life is. Everything in the
world is mortal. Everything eventually comes to its end which is death. This is evident as
demonstrated by line 5 and 7 of the poem. Everything has a weak spot even this strong
pillar of fame could come crashing down if line 5 and 7 were deleted.
The Pillar of Fame 5

Conclusion

Fame itself can be vulnerable. If people were to stop spreading the fame it will cease to
grow and have no base to lean on, which will lead to the death of that fame. This poem grasps
the notion that fame is a strong pillar that can last for ages, but it doesn’t forget to hint that
nothing lives forever, nothing has no weaknesses. Similarly if Herrick’s poetry was not read
throughout the years, we, I would not know who he was. Therefore it is important that people
spread fame. Without people we cannot have fame.
The Pillar of Fame 6

References
McIntosh, C. (2013). Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Fourth Edition. Cambridge
University Press, 2013. Retrieved from Cambridge Dictionary Website:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pillar

Simpson, J. A. (2008). The Oxford English dictionary: Vol. 1-. Clarendon Press, 2008.

Wikipedia. (2018, October 21). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from Wikipedia
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Herrick_(poet)

Williams, A. ( 2008, October 3). In Defense of the Genre. Retrieved from In Defense of the
Genre Website: http://idotgenre.blogspot.com/2008/10/pillar-of-fame.html