John Masefield’s “Laugh and Be Merry” is a radiant beacon of hope and positivity. This timeless poem isn’t just a collection of pretty words—it’s a powerful call to embrace life with open arms, regardless of its brevity. As students of literature, understanding this poem offers us not only academic insights but also practical wisdom for navigating our own lives.
Let’s dive deep into this remarkable poem that continues to inspire readers more than a century after it was written.
The Poet Behind the Positivity: John Masefield’s Life and Works
From Troubled Youth to Poet Laureate
John Masefield’s journey to becoming one of England’s most beloved poets wasn’t always smooth sailing. Born in 1878 in Herefordshire, England, Masefield experienced tragedy early when both his parents died before he turned ten. This early encounter with life’s fragility perhaps influenced his later perspective on embracing joy despite hardship.
After spending some challenging years at sea as a young man, Masefield found his voice in poetry. His experiences working on merchant ships gave him unique perspectives on life that would later color his literary works. By 1930, his talent and contribution to English literature earned him the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, a role he fulfilled until his death in 1967.
Masefield’s Literary Legacy
While many know Masefield for his sea poems like “Sea Fever” with its famous opening line “I must go down to the seas again,” his literary output was vast and varied. His works include:
- Narrative poems like “The Everlasting Mercy” and “Dauber”
- The children’s fantasy novel “The Midnight Folk”
- The adventure novel “Jim Davis”
- Several plays including “The Tragedy of Nan”
“Laugh and Be Merry” was published in his 1903 collection “Ballads” during the early phase of his career when he was experimenting with different forms and themes. The poem reflects his emerging optimistic philosophy that would characterize much of his later work.
Line-by-Line Analysis: Unpacking “Laugh and Be Merry”
Opening Stanza: The Call to Joy
The poem begins with a direct invitation:
Laugh and be merry, remember, better the world with a song,
Better the world with a blow in the teeth of a wrong.
Laugh, for the time is brief, a thread the length of a span.
Laugh and be proud to belong to the old proud pageant of man.
From the very first line, Masefield establishes his central message: joy isn’t just personal—it improves the world. Notice how he immediately connects individual happiness with social responsibility, suggesting that laughter and fighting against wrongdoing go hand in hand.
The third line introduces the theme of life’s brevity with the powerful metaphor of life as “a thread the length of a span”—comparing our time on Earth to something as small and fragile as the distance between thumb and little finger when the hand is stretched.
The final line of this stanza elevates the reader by connecting them to the grand human story, our “old proud pageant.” This gives our brief lives meaning through connection to something larger than ourselves.
Second Stanza: Divine Joy
Laugh and be merry: remember, in olden time.
God made Heaven and Earth for joy He took in a rhyme,
Made them, and filled them full with the strong red wine of His mirth
The splendid joy of the stars: the joy of the earth.
Here, Masefield adds a spiritual dimension to his philosophy of joy. He presents the creation of the universe itself as an act of divine joy—God created out of happiness and for happiness. The poet uses vibrant imagery like “strong red wine of His mirth” to paint creation as a celebration rather than a solemn act.
The cosmic scale of this stanza—moving from Heaven and Earth to stars—expands the poem’s scope, suggesting that joy is not merely a human emotion but a fundamental property of existence itself.
Third Stanza: Brotherhood and Temporality
So we must laugh and drink from the deep blue cup of the sky,
Join the jubilant song of the great stars sweeping by,
Laugh, and battle, and work, and drink of the wine outpoured
In the dear green earth, the sign of the joy of the Lord.
This stanza transitions from cosmic joy to how we should live in response to it. The sky becomes a “deep blue cup” from which we drink life’s experiences. The repetition of “Laugh” connects back to the poem’s title and central theme, but Masefield now expands his call to action to include battle, work, and celebration.
The natural world—symbolized by “the dear green earth”—is presented as evidence of divine joy, a “sign” we can recognize and from which we can draw inspiration.
Final Stanza: Life as a Brief Stay
Laugh and be merry together, like brothers akin,
Guesting awhile in the rooms of a beautiful inn,
Glad till the dancing stops, and the lilt of the music ends.
Laugh till the game is played; and be you merry, my friends.
The poem concludes with perhaps its most memorable metaphor: life as a stay in “a beautiful inn.” This powerful image encapsulates both the beauty and brevity of existence. We are just visitors—”guesting awhile”—in this world, enjoying a temporary stay.
The references to dancing, music, and a game further emphasize life’s fleeting nature. But rather than causing despair, this knowledge should inspire us to appreciate the moment and connect with others as “brothers akin.” The direct address to “my friends” in the final line creates intimacy, as if Masefield is personally encouraging each reader.
5 Key Themes and Literary Devices in “Laugh and Be Merry”
Theme #1: The Brevity of Life
Throughout the poem, Masefield emphasizes that our time is limited. From the “thread the length of a span” to our stay in the “beautiful inn,” he repeatedly reminds us that life is short. However, unlike many poems that use life’s brevity to create melancholy, Masefield uses it as motivation for joy and meaningful living.
Theme #2: Joy as a Moral Imperative
The poem suggests that being happy isn’t just a personal choice but a responsibility. By opening with “better the world with a song,” Masefield implies that our joy contributes to collective wellbeing. This theme develops throughout the poem, culminating in the brotherhood of the final stanza.
Theme #3: Connection to Something Larger
Masefield offers several ways we connect beyond our individual lives:
- To human history (“the old proud pageant of man”)
- To divine creation (“the joy of the Lord”)
- To cosmic existence (“the jubilant song of the great stars”)
- To each other (“like brothers akin”)
These connections give meaning to our brief lives and place our experiences in a larger context.
Literary Device #1: Anaphora and Repetition
The repeated phrase “Laugh and be merry” at the beginning of stanzas creates rhythm and reinforces the poem’s central message. This use of anaphora (repetition at the beginning of successive clauses) gives the poem a song-like quality and makes its message memorable.
Literary Device #2: Extended Metaphors
Masefield employs several extended metaphors that develop throughout the poem:
- Life as a thread
- Creation as divine mirth
- Existence as drinking from nature
- Life as a stay at an inn
These metaphors work together to create a cohesive vision of life as beautiful but temporary.
Historical Context: When and Why Masefield Wrote “Laugh and Be Merry”
Early 20th Century Cultural Climate
“Laugh and Be Merry” was published in 1903, during the Edwardian era in England. This period followed the long Victorian era and preceded World War I. It was a time of relative optimism and social change, though also marked by underlying tensions that would eventually lead to war.
The poem reflects some of the forward-looking spirit of the time while also containing wisdom that would become particularly poignant after the devastation of World War I, which began just over a decade after the poem’s publication.
Literary Context: Between Victorian and Modern Poetry
Masefield’s work bridges Victorian traditions and modernist innovations in poetry. While maintaining traditional forms and moral clarity reminiscent of Victorian poetry, his direct language and focus on ordinary experiences anticipate modernist approaches.
“Laugh and Be Merry” uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme and regular rhythm that make it accessible, unlike the more experimental free verse that would dominate later modernist poetry. However, its focus on finding meaning in the present moment rather than in religious or romantic ideals places it firmly in the early 20th century zeitgeist.
The Philosophical Dimensions of “Laugh and Be Merry”
Carpe Diem: Seizing the Day
At its core, “Laugh and Be Merry” belongs to the long tradition of carpe diem (“seize the day”) literature, which urges readers to make the most of the present rather than delaying happiness. This tradition includes works from ancient poets like Horace to Renaissance writers like Andrew Marvell (“To His Coy Mistress”).
Masefield’s contribution to this tradition is distinctive in its combination of:
- Personal joy
- Social responsibility
- Spiritual dimension
- Cosmic perspective
Existentialist Undertones Before Existentialism
Though written before existentialism became a dominant philosophical movement, the poem contains elements that resonate with existentialist thinking:
- Acknowledgment of life’s brevity and potential meaninglessness
- The call to create meaning through our choices and actions
- The emphasis on authentic engagement with life
- The importance of human connection
The poem suggests that by choosing joy and engagement, we create meaning in a potentially indifferent universe.
“Laugh and Be Merry” in the Classroom: Teaching Approaches
Comparative Analysis Opportunities
When teaching this poem, consider comparing it with:
Poem | Poet | Similar Themes | Different Approach |
---|---|---|---|
“To His Coy Mistress” | Andrew Marvell | Life’s brevity | Uses brevity to urge romantic/sexual fulfillment rather than general joy |
“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” | Dylan Thomas | Response to mortality | Advocates rage and resistance rather than acceptance and joy |
“Invictus” | William Ernest Henley | Human dignity | Focuses on endurance through suffering rather than celebration |
“Ozymandias” | Percy Bysshe Shelley | Temporal nature of human affairs | Uses brevity to highlight hubris rather than encourage joy |
Discussion Questions for Students
- How does Masefield’s metaphor of life as “guesting awhile in the rooms of a beautiful inn” affect your perspective on your own life?
- The poem suggests that joy is connected to fighting against wrong (“better the world with a blow in the teeth of a wrong”). Do you think happiness and moral action are connected? Why or why not?
- How might Masefield’s early experiences with loss have influenced this poem’s perspective on life’s brevity?
- Does the religious framework of the poem (God creating for joy) enhance or limit its message for modern readers?
- How might the poem’s message be received differently today compared to when it was written in 1903?
Key Takeaways
- “Laugh and Be Merry” balances acknowledgment of life’s brevity with a call to embrace joy
- The poem uses accessible language and traditional form to communicate profound ideas
- Masefield employs multiple metaphors, particularly life as a “beautiful inn,” to illustrate our temporary existence
- The poem connects personal happiness with social responsibility and cosmic significance
- Written in 1903, the poem bridges Victorian traditions and modernist concerns
- The work’s themes of seizing the day and finding meaning in a brief life remain relevant to contemporary readers
- The poem offers a spiritual framework for joy without becoming dogmatic
FAQ: Common Questions About “Laugh and Be Merry”
When was “Laugh and Be Merry” written?
John Masefield published “Laugh and Be Merry” in his 1903 collection titled “Ballads” during the early part of his literary career.
What is the rhyme scheme and meter of the poem?
The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme with each stanza containing two rhyming couplets. The meter is roughly anapaestic, giving the poem a rolling, song-like quality that reinforces its joyful message.
What does Masefield mean by “the old proud pageant of man”?
This phrase refers to the long history of human civilization and achievement. By connecting the reader to this “pageant,” Masefield suggests that our individual lives gain meaning through our connection to humanity’s collective story.
How does this poem compare to Masefield’s other works?
While Masefield is perhaps better known for his sea poems like “Sea Fever,” “Laugh and Be Merry” shares his characteristic accessible language and philosophical depth. It’s less narrative than many of his other works, functioning more as a direct address to the reader.
What is the significance of the inn metaphor in the final stanza?
The inn metaphor perfectly captures the poem’s central tension between life’s beauty and its brevity. An inn is a place of comfort, community, and pleasure, but also a temporary residence. This metaphor suggests we should fully appreciate our “stay” in life while recognizing it isn’t permanent.
Conclusion: The Timeless Invitation of “Laugh and Be Merry”
Masefield’s “Laugh and Be Merry” extends an invitation that transcends its early 20th century origins—an invitation to fully embrace life despite (or perhaps because of) its transience. The poem acknowledges life’s challenges without letting them overshadow its joys.
In four carefully crafted stanzas, Masefield offers a philosophy of life that balances celebration with purpose, individual experience with cosmic perspective, and realistic acknowledgment of brevity with genuine appreciation for beauty. The poem’s direct language and memorable metaphors make its profound message accessible to readers of all backgrounds.
As students of literature, we can appreciate the poem’s technical accomplishments—its effective use of repetition, metaphor, and rhythm. But perhaps more importantly, we can consider how its message might inform our own approach to life’s brief but beautiful journey.
Whether read as a literary text for analysis or as practical wisdom for living, “Laugh and Be Merry” continues to remind us that in a world where time runs short, joy remains essential.
Have you found this analysis helpful for your studies? Join the conversation about classic poetry and its modern relevance in the comments below. For more insights into timeless poems, check out our analyses of Wandering Singers by Sarojini Naidu and The Sunshine Cat by Kamala Das.