Poetry Analysis: Hay and Ingersoll

John Milton Hay: "My Castle in Spain"

• John Milton Hay was an American statesman and diplomat who served as the US Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
• He was a close associate of Abraham Lincoln and served as his private secretary and assistant.
• Hay wrote the poem "My Castle in Spain", which describes a man's longing and homesickness for a castle in Spain.
• He was posted in Spain as a diplomat after Isabella II was deposed and participated in the Spanish-American War.
• The poem celebrates the beauty, wisdom, purity and honesty of a woman, who dwells within the castle.
• The woman remains "unconscious" of what she might be missing, while longing for the man's return.
• The poem suggests that the man may be a soldier, and the woman is a symbol of love lost in the midst of war.

Robert G. Ingersoll: "At the Tomb of Napoleon"

• Robert G. Ingersoll was a prominent orator known for his witty and brilliant speeches, earning $3,500 per night.
• Ingersoll's poem "At the Tomb of Napoleon" reflects on the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• The poem describes Napoleon's tomb as extravagant and almost "deity-like".
• It then recounts Napoleon's achievements and failures, such as his victories in Italy and his defeat in Russia.
• Ingersoll contrasts Napoleon's military triumphs with his personal losses of love and the creation of widows and orphans.
• He compares Napoleon to ordinary peasants who live simple lives, surrounded by love and family.
• The poem concludes by stating that Ingersoll would rather be a simple, loved peasant than a powerful and destructive figure like Napoleon.

John Milton Hay

• American statesman and diplomat
• Served as United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt
• Had a career in government spanning almost half a century
• Served as a private secretary and assistant for Abraham Lincoln
• Wrote poetry and literature including "My Castle In Spain"
• Was posted as a diplomat in Spain after Isabella II was deposed

"My Castle in Spain"

• Poem describing a man's longing and homesickness for a castle in Spain
• Castle is full of riches, history and culture
• The man compares the Queen to the virtues of beauty, wisdom, purity and honesty
• The Queen is "unconscious" as she waits for his return
• The poem is ironic as the man was involved in the Spanish American War

Robert G. Ingersoll

• Prominent orator and politician
• Gave speeches for a fee of $3,500 per night
• Known for exposing religious superstitions

"At the Tomb of Napolean"

• Three-stanza poem reflecting on the life of Napoleon
• Describes Napoleon's tomb as "gold and gilt...fit almost for a dead deity"
• Recounts Napoleon's achievements and failures
• Includes a list of Napoleon's achievements:
  • Walking upon the banks of the Seine, contemplating suicide.
  • Putting down the mob in the streets of Paris.
  • Leading the army of Italy.
  • Crossing the bridge of Lodi
• Concludes that Napoleon's glory is worthless compared to the simple life
• Would rather be a peasant who dies loved by his family than Napoleon, "imperial impersonation of force and murder"

John Milton Hay

• American statesman and official whose career spanned almost half a century
• Served as a private secretary and assistant for Abraham Lincoln
• Became a diplomat and served as United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt
• Biographer of Lincoln and wrote poetry and other literature
• Posted in Spain as a diplomat

"My Castle in Spain"

• Poem about a man's longing and homesickness for a castle in Spain
• Castle is described as full of riches, history, and culture
• The man is drawn to the Queen who dwells there
• He compares the Queen to the virtues of beauty, wisdom, purity, and honesty
• The Queen is described as "unconscious," waiting for his return
• Suggests the man may be a soldier who died in war, leaving the Queen to wait for his return

Robert G. Ingersoll

• Politician and prominent orator
• Known for witty speeches exposing religious superstitions
• Earned $3,500 a night for his speeches

"At the Tomb of Napoleon"

• Poem about visiting Napoleon's grave and imagining his former glory
• Describes Napoleon's tomb as "gold and gilt" - fit for a "dead deity"
• Lists Napoleon's achievements and failures:
  • Walking on the banks of the Seine, contemplating suicide
  • Putting down the mob in the streets of Paris
  • Leading the army of Italy
  • Crossing the bridge of Lodi with the tri-color in his hand
• Reflects on Napoleon's personal losses of love and the widows and orphans he left behind
• Compares Napoleon to country peasants who enjoy nature and die loved by their families
• Concludes that all of Napoleon's glory is worthless and that he would rather have been a humble peasant than a "murderous" emperor