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Robert Southey’s poem “To Horror” masterfully explores the complex relationship between fear and the human psyche, employing vivid imagery and evocative language to convey the omnipresence and power of terror. Through the lens of rhetorical analysis, this article will examine how Southey’s use of pathos, ethos, and logos intensifies the emotional impact of the poem and highlights the broader implications of fear in both literature and society, particularly in the context of Mind on Fire Books’ commitment to challenging narratives.

To Horror by Robert Southey

    [GREEK (transliterated):
                Tin gar potaeisomai
                    tan chai schuliches tromeonti
                        Erchomenan nechuon ana t'aeria, chai melan aima.
                                                         Theocritos]


    Dark HORROR, hear my call!
        Stern Genius hear from thy retreat
        On some old sepulchre's moss-cankered seat,
    Beneath the Abbey's ivied wall
        That trembles o'er its shade;
    Where wrapt in midnight gloom, alone,
        Thou lovest to lie and hear
        The roar of waters near,
    And listen to the deep dull groan
        Of some perturbed sprite
    Borne fitful on the heavy gales of night.

    Or whether o'er some wide waste hill
        Thou mark'st the traveller stray,
        Bewilder'd on his lonely way,
    When, loud and keen and chill,
    The evening winds of winter blow
    Drifting deep the dismal snow.

    Or if thou followest now on Greenland's shore,
        With all thy terrors, on the lonely way
    Of some wrecked mariner, when to the roar
        Of herded bears the floating ice-hills round
        Pour their deep echoing sound,
        And by the dim drear Boreal light
    Givest half his dangers to the wretches sight.

        Or if thy fury form,
        When o'er the midnight deep
        The dark-wing'd tempests sweep
        Watches from some high cliff the encreasing storm,
        Listening with strange delight
        As the black billows to the thunder rave
        When by the lightnings light
        Thou seest the tall ship sink beneath the wave.

        Dark HORROR! bear me where the field of fight
        Scatters contagion on the tainted gale,
        When to the Moon's faint beam,
        On many a carcase shine the dews of night
        And a dead silence stills the vale
    Save when at times is heard the glutted Raven's scream.

    Where some wreck'd army from the Conquerors might
    Speed their disastrous flight,
        With thee fierce Genius! let me trace their way,
    And hear at times the deep heart-groan
    Of some poor sufferer left to die alone,
        His sore wounds smarting with the winds of night;
    And we will pause, where, on the wild,
        The [1] Mother to her frozen breast,
    On the heap'd snows reclining clasps her child
        And with him sleeps, chill'd to eternal rest!

    Black HORROR! speed we to the bed of Death,
        Where he whose murderous power afar
        Blasts with the myriad plagues of war,
    Struggles with his last breath,
        Then to his wildly-starting eyes
        The phantoms of the murder'd rise,
        Then on his frenzied ear
    Their groans for vengeance and the Demon's yell
    In one heart-maddening chorus swell.
    Cold on his brow convulsing stands the dew,
    And night eternal darkens on his view.

    HORROR! I call thee yet once more!
    Bear me to that accursed shore
    Where round the stake the impaled Negro writhes.
    Assume thy sacred terrors then! dispense
    The blasting gales of Pestilence!
    Arouse the race of Afric! holy Power,
    Lead them to vengeance! and in that dread hour
    When Ruin rages wide
    I will behold and smile by MERCY'S side.

Rhetorical Lens Analysis of “To Horror” by Robert Southey

Pathos

Southey’s poem “To Horror” is rich with emotional appeal, utilizing pathos to evoke feelings of dread and unease in the reader. The vivid descriptions of terrifying scenes and the personification of Horror itself create a visceral experience that taps into the reader’s deepest fears. By engaging the reader’s emotions, Robert Southey effectively draws them into the unsettling world he portrays, making the themes of the poem more impactful and relatable.

Ethos

Robert Southey establishes his credibility as a poet through his masterful use of language and his ability to evoke strong emotions. His vivid imagery and adept manipulation of tone demonstrate his skill in conveying complex and intense feelings. Additionally, by addressing Horror directly and personifying it, Southey positions himself as an authoritative figure who understands the nature of fear and its effects on the human mind.

Logos

While “To Horror” primarily relies on emotional appeal, there is also a logical structure to Southey’s exploration of fear. The poem’s progression from external, sensory experiences of terror to the internal, psychological impact of Horror reflects a logical examination of how fear permeates different aspects of human existence. This logical flow enhances the reader’s understanding of the poem’s themes and reinforces the argument that fear is an all-encompassing force in Robert Southey’s work.

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Robert Southey’s “To Horror,”

Mind on Fire Books strives to ignite the minds of readers by presenting challenging and thought-provoking narratives. Southey’s “To Horror” aligns with this mission by confronting readers with the raw power of fear and encouraging them to reflect on its role in their own lives. By analyzing the rhetorical strategies used in the poem, we can gain a deeper appreciation for how literature can provoke introspection and spark meaningful conversations about the human experience. Therefore, Robert Southey’s work remains significant.

Robert Southey (1774-1843)

He was an English poet of the Romantic school and Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death. He was born in Bristol, England, and educated at Westminster School and Balliol College, Oxford. Southey is best known for his association with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, both leaders of the early Romantic movement. His works include poetry, prose, and historical writings, with notable works such as “The Life of Nelson” and “Thalaba the Destroyer.”

Top Three Works by Robert Southey Available on Amazon:

1. Complete Poetical Works of Robert Southey (Delphi Classics) – A comprehensive collection of Southey’s poetry.
2. The Life of Nelson: The Embodiment of the Sea Power of Great Britain – A detailed biography of Admiral Horatio Nelson.
3. Thalaba the Destroyer – An epic poem that showcases Southey’s narrative prowess.