Theme of Time
The poem on the preceding page may be the most famous poem on the theme of time. While we are not completely sure, the poem is often ascribed to King Solomon who is thought to have been the wisest of the ancient biblical kings.
It is a quintessential example of the poetic device called parallelism. Parallelism is a literary device in which the parts of the composition are balanced in similar constructions. Let’s look at the first line containing a parallel construction in this poem:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
This is a very strict parallel construction. The first part of each line contains a phrase which is then balanced by the second part of the line which contains an opposite idea.
The author also employs the use of antithesis in each line of the poem. Antithesis is the pairing of opposites in one sentence. This pairing of opposite ideas emphasizes the contrast and creates an overall balance in each line of the poem.
The author of this poem skillfully uses parallelism and antithesis to create a balance of ideas.
This use of parallel construction serves to continually remind the reader that there is some order to human life. It is not chaotic. Instead, there is a certain predictability to events. A reader will also notice the balance in the poem and perhaps decide that in the course of a life, over the passage of time, there is as much good in life as there is bad.
When you were listening, did you notice the tone of this poem. Do you sense urgency? Do you hear a fatalistic resignation? Is this a protest poem about how unfair life can be?
OR
Does the tone of this poem convey something else entirely?