We Are The Music Makers Analysis by Arthur O’Shaughnessy: 2023

This ode by the British poet of Irish descent, Arthur O’Shaughnessy, is one of the oldest forms of poetry and is a celebratory expression of art. “We are the music makers” is the first poem from O’Shaughnessy’s collection called “Music and Moonlight” (1874). Arthur O’Shaughnessy dedicates this poem to the artists- the writers, the poets, the painters, and the people who have lived in fantasy and built their own worlds outside the confined monotony of the real world. It is one of the most uplifting and hopeful poems about art that has been written, as a result of which it is often quoted in other works of art. The phrase “movers and shakers” originated in this ode. This poem is made up of three stanzas of eight lines each. The rhyme scheme for the first stanza is ABABABAB, the rhyme scheme for the second stanza is AABBCDCD, and the rhyme scheme for the third stanza is the same as that of the first stanza, i.e., ABABABAB. The predominant tone of the poem is that of appreciation and celebration of art.

We Are The Music Makers Analysis

The poem We Are The Music Makers starts on a note of pure appraisal of the artists & their dedication to the art. The first line delivers its message in a straightforward manner: it is dedicated to the artists and to their timeless creations, to the ‘music makers’ who are the ‘dreamer of dreams, and it appeals to the artists across different realms spread all over the world. The poet avoids the mention of a particular art form which intensifies its universal appeal. O’Shaughnessy has attempted to reject the concept of Aestheticism, which glorifies the idea that the artist’s only relationship is to his art itself, and has presented the artists as the harbinger of creative rebellion in the otherwise dull society. Art, in this poem, has a fluid definition. Art is the force that awakens people’s minds and inspires them to think in a creative manner. According to the poem, being an artist is difficult.

Artists live a lonely life, away from the cacophony of society. They are often misunderstood by everyone and termed as “losers and forsakers.” But one must realize that it is just the inability of the common men to understand and interpret the immortal works of the artists who are beyond their comprehension. The poet highlights the dependency of the artists on a patron or on the inheritance of good fortune to make a living. This has been a common issue amongst artists since time immemorial. Here, the narrator wants to make it clear to the reader that to be an artist requires tremendous sacrifice, and very often, that sacrifice is to live externally or in exclusion from society. It is almost necessary to be isolated from human error and strive to see the beauty in human nature. Aloofness is vital in the creation of art as it gives them the space to utilize their creativity and imagination to produce something praiseworthy.

Artists have an important role in fulfilling this world, and that is to be the “movers and shakers.” The use of this term implies rebellion, a rebellion against conventional existence. It is meant to change the status quo, especially that of art. Art does not confine itself to social, political, religious, or cultural boundaries. Art unites people and inspires imagination. The artists shape public opinion and help build a better world consisting of people who would be determined to bring dynamicity to the drab, dull society.

In the second stanza, the speaker draws our attention to the contributions of artists to the world. The poet celebrates creation and fantasy and the artist’s ability to give birth to something new. They stay away from worldly pleasure, but at the same time, they are able to address issues through their art that pushes society forward. Artists have the gift of imagination through which they help manifest a new world, build new cities, and create a glorified empire out of their stories. They help to arouse radical thoughts, feelings, and realizations in people’s minds. It further implies that the works of art outlive any other materialistic possessions. Men are bound to die, but the art they create lives forever. People draw their strength and inspiration from the work of these artists; thus, they are making a better world through their art. Art is salvation in itself and has been man’s greatest achievement yet.

The poet alludes to the ancient Biblical cities of Nineveh and Babel to highlight the ability of artists to create and destroy. The artists belong to all ages, and every era comes with a prophecy of a new and better era. He refers to the cities of Babel & Nineveh, fostering the idea of art as a divine creation. The speaker almost equates the artists with some divine figure possessing the God-like attribute of creation and destruction. The narrator clearly states the importance of the existence of artists in our society and the beneficiary roles that they play. It is because they have an indomitable spirit and can manifest the most unfathomable things that are beyond our imagination. The narrator further states that the artists are capable of overthrowing the old world with their prophecy of the new world. According to him, the dreams of the artists that shape the world today are replaced by the new dreams of a modern and better era. Hence, the birth of a new dream gives rise to the birth of a new age and a better world. The poet puts the artists on the highest pedestal and renders them immortal, thereby reasserting the fact that even though they are “losers and forsakers,” they are ultimately the “movers and shakers” of the world.

We Are The Music Makers Themes

The underlying theme of the poem is the appreciation of art. The poet encourages the readers to dream like artists who shape the world through their imaginative capabilities. The transformative power of art, the ability of the artists to cause changes, and the timelessness of art are the major concerns in the poem. It promotes a feeling of freedom in the sense that it encourages the reader to break free from the shackles of society. It is only when we are in perfect tune with ourselves that we can manifest magic. This poem is a celebration of the art and the artists on every platform. It is an ode of pure appreciation to the gifted artists who are brave enough to rebel against dull, unimaginative, and monotonous existence. Though artists do not involve themselves in mainstream society and prefer to stay aloof, their art still makes them the “movers and shakers” of society. This poem clearly identifies the sacrifices these artists have made to prove their loyalty to art and salutes them for their bravery and creativity. Art is a gift of God to this world, and artists are the promoter of this gift. Artists are the revolutionaries who have been inspiring millions for generations. They are the true leaders who lead every generation and bestow them with the gift of art. They arouse inspiration and the will to dream and help escape society’s clutches and bitter reality.

We Are The Music Maker’s Tone

The tone of the poem is predominantly that of appreciation and celebration. The poet celebrates the imaginative power of the artists by using which they are able to bring changes in society. A song, a poem, a painting, or any other work of art can arouse people’s emotions, awaken their imaginative abilities and inspire them to rebel against a dull world. Art is not only capable of raising new empires through fantasies but is also competent in destruction. When everything is in ruins, it is an art that survives. The tone changes from celebratory to that of distress as the poet highlights the sacrifices made by the artists for survival. They are eternally in search of a patron. However, the mood swiftly changes to that of elation as the contributions of the artists to society are appreciated. The artists produce works that are beneficial for the uplifting community.

You can also check out the summary of The Gift of India by Sarojini Naidu.

Edited and FAQs updated by Anjali Roongta on 11th April 2023