"A Brother in Need" SOAPS-Tone Analysis
S (Speaker) - Third person, omniscient narrator--yet still extremely personally invested in the subject matter. There is no objectivity in this poem. As to who this person is, it is unknown. It may be Ibsen himself, it may be the "brother" of the Norsemen (most likely a country's populace).
O (Occasion) - The poem was written in 1863, but the reference to Norsemen may date the poem's setting earlier. It is taking place during some war, revolution, some sort of period of social turmoil and upheaval. This particular war is most likely the Second Schleswig War (a conflict in response to the Schleswig-Holstein question). Denmark fought Prussian and Austria for control of the duchies, because of succession disputes concerning the Holstein and Lauenburg (Civilization in the West, n.d.). "What passed that time we watched them meet, 'Twixt Norse and Danish lord?" This excerpt solidifies the suspicion that the poem is referring to the countries embattled in the second Schleswig-Holstein conflict.
A (Audience) - Maybe the general public, most likely the Norwegian Government. It was a dream! Arise, awake To do a nation's deed!" This particular excerpt is a call to action to the audience.
P (Purpose) - The purpose may be a public dressing down of the Norwegian Government, for Ibsen felt they had failed not only him, time and again, but he was not happy with their lack of intervention in the Second Schleswig War. "The cheers of Norway's sons, and cries Towards the beach of Sound." Clearly Ibsen feels Norway has abandon its protectorates in their time of need.
S (Subject) - The betrayal of a brother. Whether that brother is actually a physical entity, or a metaphor for, in this case, the government, who wasn't there in a time of social upheaval or some other sort of political or social institution in a time of need (Ibsen's need, the needs of those involved in the Schleswig-Holstein War), is relatively vague. At the most basic level, the play focuses on the betrayal of one brother by another. "Betrayed in danger's hour, betrayed Before the stress of strife!"
Tone - The tone of the poem is somewhat melancholic, somewhat hurt. "They were but Judas kisses, lies In fatal wreaths enwound," That particular line is the best description of betrayal in the entire poem. Ibsen feels betrayed by Norway.
S (Speaker) - Third person, omniscient narrator--yet still extremely personally invested in the subject matter. There is no objectivity in this poem. As to who this person is, it is unknown. It may be Ibsen himself, it may be the "brother" of the Norsemen (most likely a country's populace).
O (Occasion) - The poem was written in 1863, but the reference to Norsemen may date the poem's setting earlier. It is taking place during some war, revolution, some sort of period of social turmoil and upheaval. This particular war is most likely the Second Schleswig War (a conflict in response to the Schleswig-Holstein question). Denmark fought Prussian and Austria for control of the duchies, because of succession disputes concerning the Holstein and Lauenburg (Civilization in the West, n.d.). "What passed that time we watched them meet, 'Twixt Norse and Danish lord?" This excerpt solidifies the suspicion that the poem is referring to the countries embattled in the second Schleswig-Holstein conflict.
A (Audience) - Maybe the general public, most likely the Norwegian Government. It was a dream! Arise, awake To do a nation's deed!" This particular excerpt is a call to action to the audience.
P (Purpose) - The purpose may be a public dressing down of the Norwegian Government, for Ibsen felt they had failed not only him, time and again, but he was not happy with their lack of intervention in the Second Schleswig War. "The cheers of Norway's sons, and cries Towards the beach of Sound." Clearly Ibsen feels Norway has abandon its protectorates in their time of need.
S (Subject) - The betrayal of a brother. Whether that brother is actually a physical entity, or a metaphor for, in this case, the government, who wasn't there in a time of social upheaval or some other sort of political or social institution in a time of need (Ibsen's need, the needs of those involved in the Schleswig-Holstein War), is relatively vague. At the most basic level, the play focuses on the betrayal of one brother by another. "Betrayed in danger's hour, betrayed Before the stress of strife!"
Tone - The tone of the poem is somewhat melancholic, somewhat hurt. "They were but Judas kisses, lies In fatal wreaths enwound," That particular line is the best description of betrayal in the entire poem. Ibsen feels betrayed by Norway.
(KingCreateur)