Casabianca
- By Felicia Hemans
Stanza Wise Explanation
S tanza 1:
The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle's wreck
Shone round him o'er the dead.
Explanation:The poem begins with a vivid image of a boy standing on the deck of a ship that is burning.
The battle has ended, and everyone except the boy has fled the ship to escape the flames. The flames
from the burning ship illuminate the scene, casting light over the bodies of the fallen soldiers. It evokes a
s ense of desolation and tragedy, highlighting the boy’s isolation and courage.
S tanza 2:
Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though child-like form.
Explanation: Despite the destruction around him, the boy remains s tanding tall, beautiful, and bright,
s howinghisbraveryandresolve.Thephrase"borntorulethes torm"s uggeststhattheboyhasaninnate
s enseofcourage,destinedforgreatnesseveninthefaceofdanger.Thedescriptionofhimas"acreature
ofheroicblood"impliesthattheboycomesfromafamilyofvalor,andhisactionsalignwiththenobility
of his lineage. His “child-like form” emphasizes his youth, making his bravery even more poignant.
S tanza 3:
The flames rolled on—he would not go
Without his father's word;
That father, faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.
Explanation:Theflamescontinuetos pread,yettheboydoesnotleavehispost.Herefusestoabandon
his s tation until he receives orders from his father, the admiral. However, his father is already dying
belowdeck,andhisvoicecannolongerreachtheboy.Thishighlightstheboy’sloyaltyandobedience,as
well as the tragic fate of both the boy and his father.
S tanza 4:
He called aloud, 'Say, father, say
If yet my task is done.'
He knew not that the chieftain lay
Faint with the fatal gun.
Explanation: The boy calls out to his father, asking if his task is complete, indicating that he is
waitingforpermissiontoleaveorknowingwhenhisdutyisover.Heisunawarethathisfatherhas
already been gravely wounded by a gunshot, which would mean that his father's voice and
authority can no longer guide him. This emphasizes the boy’s devotion to his father and his
commitment to carrying out his duty.
S tanza 5:
'Speak, father!' once again he cried,
'If I may yet be gone!'
- And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames rolled on.
Explanation: In this s tanza,theboy’sdesperatecriesforhisfather'sguidanceemphasizehiss enseof
dutyandhisdependenceonhisfather’sauthority.However,hisfathercannotrespond,likelyduetobeing
incapacitated or dead, and all the boy hears is the noise of battle and the advancing flames. This
moment underscores the boy's isolation and the inevitable fate awaiting him. Despite the growing
danger,hecontinuestowaitforinstructions,s howcasinghisloyaltyandobedience.Thechaotics ounds
of the battle and the spreading flames symbolize the dire situation and the boy's helplessness.
S tanza 6:
Upon his brow he felt their breath
And in his waving hair;
And look’d from that lone post of death,
In still yet brave despair.
Explanation:In this stanza, the boy’s inner turmoil is contrasted with his outward bravery. While he is
physically feeling the intense heat of the flames and the chaotic atmosphere of the battle, he remains
s tanding at his post, fully aware of the impending danger. The phrase "lone post of death" emphasizes
his isolation, making the boy appear as a symbol of both innocence and sacrifice. Despite his despair, he
continues to be brave, displaying the heroic quality of persevering through fear and uncertainty. The
s tanza captures the emotional depth of the boy’s situation—he is trapped between his duty and the
inevitability of death, but he faces it with quiet courage.
S tanza 7:
And shouted but once more aloud,
'My father! must I stay?'
While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud,
The wreathing fires made way.
Explanation: In this s tanza, the boy's emotional plea to hisfatherunderscoresthedeeps enseofduty
anddependencehefeels.Hisrepeatedcryforguidance,eveninthefaceofimminentdeath,s howshis
unwavering obedience and loyalty.However,thes ituationisbecomingincreasinglyhopelessasthefire
s preads rapidly through the s hip. The "wreathing fires" symbolize the encroaching doom and the
overwhelmingforceofnatureclosinginontheboy.Hisquestion,"mustIs tay?"emphasizestheinternal
conflicthefaces—heiss tuckbetweenhiss enseofdutyandtheoverwhelmingdanger.Thes tanzabuilds
tension, as the boy waits for a response that nevercomes,whiletheflamescontinuetheirdestructive
path.
S tanza 8:
They wrapped the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag on high,
And streamed above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.
E xplanation:This stanza uses powerful imagery to highlight the boy’s heroic final moments. The flames,
although destructive, are described as "splendour wild," indicating that there is a certain beauty in his
bravery, even in the face of overwhelming danger. The flag, a symbol of loyalty and duty, becomes
intertwined with the flames, symbolizing both the boy’s allegiance and the tragedy of his situation. The
phrase "like banners in the sky" connects the boy to the flames in a symbolic manner—his courage is
elevated, almost immortalized, as the fire engulfs both him and the ship. The use of "gallant" to describe
the boy emphasizes his noble qualities, making his sacrifice feel even more poignant. The boy, standing
s teadfast and brave amidst the flames, is portrayed as a symbol of honor, courage, and selflessness.
S tanza 9:
There came a burst of thunder sound -
The boy - oh! where was he?
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea!
Explanation:This stanza depicts the tragic end of Casabianca. The "burst of thunder sound" refers to the
explosion of the burning ship. The rhetorical question—"The boy—oh! where was he?" —emphasizes his
s udden and tragic disappearance. The final lines suggest that his body was lost in the wreckage,
s cattered by the winds and sea. The imagery highlights the devastation while reinforcing the theme of
s acrifice and unwavering duty.
S tanza 10:
With mast, andhelm, andpennonfair,
That well had borne their part,
But the noblest thing which perished there,
Was that young faithful heart.
Explanation:This stanza highlights the destruction of the ship, mentioning its mast, helm, and pennon,
which had served their purpose well. However, the poet emphasizes that the greatest loss was not the
s hip but Casabianca’s brave and loyal heart. His unwavering devotion and sacrifice are portrayed as the
noblest aspect of the tragedy, reinforcing themes of courage and duty.
