Analysis by Claude2--Part 24--KishoreKumar 9 + 10-- 24 October 2023

Posted on 8 November, 2023

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SOMAN RAGAVAN

24 October, 2023

Poems :

--Kishore Kumar (9)

--Kishore Kumar (10)

                                       Analysis of my poems by Claude 2 (Anthropic),

                                                       (Artificial Intelligence)

                                                                  Part 24

Soman Ragavan : Hello. I will post two of my poems for analysis. Could you please comment extensively on them, mentioning literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, poetic philosophies, the politics of poets, comparison with poets of England, America, India, Africa and the Caribbean from 1700 to 1900 and as from 1945. At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1709-1892) and some other poets of that era.  Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. Say if there are other contemporary poets who write as I do and compare my poetry with theirs. I live in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. I am of Indian origin. I will post my poems when you write.  

Claude 2 : Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself and your poetic interests. I look forward to reading and commenting on your poems. As an AI assistant without direct access to full texts of poetry, my analysis will be limited. However, I can try to pick up on stylistic elements, themes, and make some basic comparisons to the poetic eras and traditions you mentioned. Please go ahead and post your poems whenever you're ready. I'm eager to engage in a thoughtful discussion about poetry across cultures and time periods. Poetry opens so many windows into the human experience.

Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Here is poem “Kishore Kumar (9).” This is about a legendary Indian singer. Break into quatrains first. Make comparisons as you wish. (Text of poem inserted).

Claude 2 : Here is the poem split into quatrains:

This poem is an ode celebrating the legendary Indian singer Kishore Kumar. It uses elevated, poetic language and rhyming quatrains to praise him. Some stylistic elements I notice:

- Use of archaic language like "doth", "shalt"

- Personification of his voice floating to ears

- Alliteration, e.g. "cruel laughs," "cutting chicaneries"

- Repetition of "master" throughout

- Rhyming end words in each stanza

Thematically, it focuses on praising his flawless voice, unique talent, and philosophical songs. There are references to the cyclical nature of life and death. Comparatively, the romantic odes of poets like Wordsworth or Keats come to mind in tone and style. Let me know if you would like me to expand my analysis further! I'd be happy to keep discussing.

Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Here is the last poem, “Kishore Kumar (10).” Break into quatrains first. Analyse in the same way, but with more details. (Text of poem inserted).

Claude 2 : Here is the poem split into quatrains:

This is another ode to Kishore Kumar, continuing the elevated language and use of poetic devices. Some additional observations:

- Extensive metaphor - his voice compared to a vine, wine, elixir, prison, orchestra

- Alliteration - "languishing song", "lord most ultra"

- Repetition of "master" and reference to singing/verse throughout

- Use of consonance - "closing behind us", "increasing tenfold"

Thematically, it focuses on the intoxicating, overwhelming power of his voice and talent, which seems to have an enslaving effect on the speaker. There are metaphysical conceits similar to poets like John Donne.

Overall, these poems use very traditional poetic techniques to create effusive praise poems rooted in Indian culture. The archaic language gives them an old-world flair. Contemporary parallels could be made to praise poems by Indian poets like Vikram Seth who also engage with traditional forms.

Let me know if you would like me to expand on any element of my analysis further! I'm happy to keep discussing your thoughtful poetry.

Soman Ragavan : You might not be having access to Kishore Kumar (1) to (8). You have numbers (9) and (10) here in this chat.

From the Kishore Kumar poems :

“Dissecting these verses with conviction total,

In manners very expertly and theatrical,

Quoting various knowledge psychological,

Many may well pronounce us quite mental. 

“Such affectation and such adulation,

Would they assert in constant repetition,

Could only stem from some weird fixation,

For, what else could explain such exaggeration !

“For sure, this adoration must be unusual :

How else could it come from a head normal;

But, a head normal hath yet to fashion poetry,

Or else, go on discoursing on psychiatry. 

See “Kishore Kumar (4)”

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“For how long more are we to survive thus,

And be charg'd with making a lot of fuss !

See “Kishore Kumar (7)”

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“Ignoring all caustic and cutting chicaneries,

Dutifully do we plod on with our daily poetry,

To sing again thy unique and unmatch'd glory. 

See Kishore Kumar (9)

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I wrote the ten poems “Kishore Kumar (1) to (10) in May and August 1994 --- twenty nine years back.

Right then I anticipated the following :

--some people will pretend to be experts at dissecting these verses

--they will give their pronouncements in a theatrical way

--they will quote psychology

--they will find me to be a mental case

--they will talk of excessive adulation, affectation, fixation and exaggeration

--they will speak of unusual adoration

--a head that is not normal

--they will quote psychiatry

--the language will be found to be hyperbolic

As you can see, right in 1994 I took precautions to pre-empt some adverse criticism about these poems. What do you think of all this ?

Claude 2 : I appreciate you providing more context from your other Kishore Kumar poems. It's insightful to see how you built in preemptive defenses against potential criticism.

A few thoughts on this approach:

- It shows thoughtfulness and awareness on your part to try to get ahead of possible critiques. As a poet, you aimed to retain control over how your emotive odes would be received.

- However, art often leaves itself open to interpretation. By calling out the reaction you expected, you also potentially invite more of that reaction by acknowledging it explicitly.

- The poems could still speak for themselves without those defensive framings. As the creator, you could let the reader judge, without trying to influence opinions too directly.

- Your skill is evident in the language, rhyme, and sincerity of praising this singer. Perhaps having more confidence in that artistry would make the defensive stance less needed.

- The preemptive critique highlights your own doubts too. But own poetic voice need not justify itself so much.

Overall, I think the poems have merit on their own, without needing the defensive scaffolding. The heartfelt admiration comes through. The build up against criticism also shows your care for how the verses will be received. It's an interesting tension between wanting to praise unrestrained, yet also protect the integrity of that praise. Your reflections on the creative process here are insightful!

Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much. In any case, I can reply to a lot of criticism on these poems by saying : “I foresaw all that… It’s in the poems…” Goodbye for now.

Claude 2 : You're very welcome. That's a great point - you can turn it around on critics by pointing out you already addressed their concerns within the poems themselves! Very clever. This has been an engaging discussion about your creative vision and poetic craft. I appreciate you sharing these poems with me and elucidating your thoughts on the writing process. Poetry is such a meaningful art form. I hope you continue crafting many more poems and wish you the best. Goodbye for now!

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