Since There's No Help By Michael Drayton

 

         The sonnet( 61) 'Since There's No Help' is written by Michael Drayton.  (Click On It ) Who is considered as one of the famous poet of Elizabethan Age after Shakespeare and Sidney. That can be seen in the structure of this sonnet as it follows the format of Shakespearean sonnet. This sonnet is the part of the book named Idea's  Mirrors. Which was published in 1594. Here we shall see the general meaning of the poem.  

          The whole poem is centred around the theme of lovers' separation. Which can be seen in the title too. While reading the sonnet, we come across such words which follows the first person narrative techniques. Here one thing gets clear that it is the feeling of author/ narrator for his beloved.  

Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part; 

  Nay, I have done, you get no more of me, 

 And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart, 

    That thus so cleanly I myself can free; 

        In the very first quatrain poet says to his beloved that 'let's us kiss and part.' It means something has already happened in the past, which we don't know. What we know is that narrator and his beloved both are ready to depart. May be their future is not together. The lover shares his thought regarding his relationship with her. In addition, he is now glad to depart as that will make both of them free from everything. But the tone is full of melancholy. 

  Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows, 

      And when we meet any time again, 

      Be it not seen in either of our brows

    That we one jot of former love retain.  

     However,  the next quatrain has some hope.  Or we can say there's some indirect communication between them which only they can understand. Now, the narrator is ready to shake hands for the last time, probably before escorting her. Who tells his beloved to cancel all past vows.  It means, lovers know that how past memories can affect them.  So it is better to forget everything. Suddenly, there's certain change in tone as writer shows some hope for the future encounter. Again the lover tells his beloved that if they meet in future life, they will pretend as strangers. And for that he provides the reason also. Because, that can help them to reinvent their love for each other.  

Now at the last gasp of love's latest breath, 

When, his pulse failing, passion speechless lies, 

When faith is kneeling by his bed of death, 

And innocence is closing up his eyes,

Now if thou ( You) wouldst, when all have given him over, 

From death to life thou mightst him yet recover.  

    The next stanza sounds more seducing.  But with wooing intent. The lover tells his beloved that the love is almost dead now. There's no more passion.  And he regrets that there's no trust, faith anymore in this relationship. Or we can say that their relationship is without soul now. As we have reached at the concluding part of the poem, similarly, the lover expresses his final words by telling his beloved that the retrieval of this relationship is in the hands of his beloved. Which makes his stand clear.  

     In conclusion we can say that the end of the poem is some how optimistic as the beloved doesn't answer anything. Which makes narrator hopeful to revive his love.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABAB CDCD EFEF GG 

Personifications : "Faith" is kneeling... 

                                 "Innocence" is closing... 

Further Readings : 

 1. Since There's No Help 

           

        

My Friend, The Things That Do Attain by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

              The poem 'My Friend, The Things That Do Attain' speaks about the universal happiness of human beings. In addition, it shows the political influence of that time in which Henry Howard lived. Most importantly, his eminence lies as the founder of English Renaissance Poet and the member of the court life of that British period. In this present poem the narrator describes the elements through which one can attain the happiness in his or her life. Along with his poetic genius, he was a reckless politician with less circumspect and that becomes the reason of his execution by Henry- 8. 

               Inherently Henry Howard was a wealthy lad and that helped him to establish his career in the court life of that time. Unlike his father, he becomes the victim of political upheaval caused by the different parties. Eventually, what we are trying to see is that how Howard draws the attention of audience through his bitter experiences of past life. Furthermore, he provides valid, common, ingredients to seek happiness in this collosal world.  Here we shall see the detailed analysis of each stanza. 

        My Friend, the things that do attain 

            The happy life be these, I find : 

          The riches left, not got with pain ;

      The fruitful ground ; the quiet mind ; 

            The first stanza is focused upon how one can attain sublime happiness in the life by following the shared elements. The narrator describes that to become rich is necessary but the way should be more honest and peaceful. Which draws our attention towards prevailing inequality among the people. Especially economical one. In addition, speaker provides the positive consequences of that honest life. For example, hard work always pays the fruit. As here narrator has mentioned, fruitful ground and quiet mind.  

       The equal friend : no grudge, no strife ;

          No charge of rule, nor governance; 

            Without disease, the healthy life; 

             The household of continuance; 

 

  The next stanza is based on total four elements of one standard life.  The first one is about the importance of true and equal, friendship.  Not only that, the author emphasizes on the true attributes of friendship.  Like,  there shouldn't be any hypocrisy, grudge or strife among the friends. At the very next moment, the poem swings from individualism to utilitarianism.  In order to maintain peace in a country, every nation requires a calm political situation. And to establish that situation, government needs to stop interfering into the private life of common people for their selfish motives. In current time, some of the developing countries are the authentic examples of cruel dictatorship.  The narrator doesn't stop here, now his focus is on person's health.  As a healthy life is considered as the symbol of heaven. When we read about the author, we come to know that how his family plays pivotal role in his political career. Similarly,  the narrator also illuminates the family values and its importance for a  peaceful life. It seems that the poem is following the chronological order, isn't it ? ! 

            The mean diet, no dainty fare; 

          Wisdom joined with simpleness; 

           The night discharged of all care, 

      Where wine the wit may not oppress;     

  The third stanza is directly connected with the human body.  The narrator shares the core values of moderate food. And we know that gluttony is considered as something evil among all scriptures. The prime focus of this stanza is on the simple life and its benefits.  If person follows the simplicity in his life then he may never choose to be relax.  Or we can say person doesn't need to intake wine.  Which is dangerous for human body. So according to the narrator,  one should live more simple life which is full of wisdom. Like, Mahatma Gandhi. When we read books based on his life, it tells that he was a staunch follower of simple life.  That's what makes him great 'Politician.' 

         The faithful wife, without debate; 

      Such sleeps as may beguile the night; 

          Content thyself with thine estate, 

     Neither wish death, nor fear his might.  

  As earlier we have seen that the poem looks like a growing up story.  Likewise, the last stage of this poem takes us towards the blissful end of life. Here, the narrator has a message for a married couple. As the last stanza suggests that faithfulness is the crucial aspects of a spousal life. In addition, poet uses the irony by considering night as something beguile. The last two lines of the poem represents the core knowledge of writer's past life. It tells that once person has his own estate it is better to be content with what he has rather than to be more wolfish.  Not only that, the narrator considers this life more compassionate for everyone. In order to achieve that beauty, people should avoid the fear of death. Because once person win over the fear, he or she  can achieve anything in this world.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABAB CDCD  EFEF GHGH 

                                  4 QUATRAINS 

Ode On Solitude by Alexander Pope

    

   'Ode On Solitude' is a short poem written by Alexander Pope.  ( Click on it)  He was 12 years old while writing this poem. While focusing on its title, it has the word - 'Ode' which means,  A lyrical poem and can have a complex meter. Most importantly it is more like an admiration of something. This ode consist total five quatrains. Which we will see in details.  

        The poem sounds simple in its stature but it contains robust meaning in it. In the very beginning, the narrator familiarizes the reader about the happiness of a person who possesses his own land in a countryside. Here, the anonymous person inherits this  land from his forefathers. In addition the person is content with what he has. For instance the narrator says that there is pure air, green ground and other heavenly things, which is to live with nature, are here to please the person. The narrator describes the solitary life of a person and considers him as a lucky guy.  Which induces the importance of solitude in life. 

          The second stanza focuses upon the daily routine of a common grazier. It shows the independent life of a person. As he doesn't need to go outside to buy milk, bread, clothes and etc,. What we have been told here is that this grazier is far away from madding crowd and to survive, he owns his own herds, which provides milk and attire.  Not only that, he cultivates his own land to get enough yields.  As we move further in this poem, the author emphasizes upon the importance of trees.  Because the same trees becomes the shelter in heat and fire in the winter.

The third phase of this ode takes us into the life of people living in rural area.  Who have nothing to do with the mainstream of nation. They know the alluring desire of city life. However,  the narrator considers them as blessed. It shows the cycle of life. Where everything is connected with each other. For instance, the third stanza speaks about the peaceful, healthy and happy life of countryside. They haven't become the cog in a machine if we say so.  And that's how they are living their austere life.  

     These lyrics connect solitude with the innocence. The narrator describes the another quality of a  solitary life.  The people who have lived in solitude are more patient compared to others as this isolation provides them self introspection.  One can see the powerful insight of the writer as he considers this cycle as a meditation.  And to study hard one needs full isolation where you can obtain peace of mind which helps person to grasp the concept. Moreover, to create something new, a person requires ability to think and which should be free of all other obscurities. 

      The concluding lines are focused on the trivial nature of life. Here writer through the persona of an anonymous person tells us that nothing is stangnant. As a result of it one should live the life at fully. But the person doesn't want to be famous. What he wants is an unlamented death. He knows that how cruel this world is. At the end, the speaker sends one message to the audience. We can say that the last two lines are the epitome of the poem. Which reminds us the different aspects of solitude and loneliness. The narrator says that he is not stone hearted person but sometimes it is more preferable, to reinvent yourself, one should seek the solitude.  

Rhyming Scheme : ABABCDCDEFEFGHGH 

Background of the Poem. ( Click On It)  

Further Readings : ( Click On It ) 

1. Ode On Solitude 

2. Ode On Solitude 

3. Alexander Pope's disability and creativity

'Prayer Before Birth' By Louis MacNeice

 

 

    Isn't this title an alarming one ? ! Not only the  title but whole poem raises the question on humanity itself.  The titled poem was written by Louis MacNiece in the year 1944. He was a poet, playwright and the member called Auden Group of poets. The group focused on 'social poetry' which stamped them as a social poets.

       The central theme of the poem debunks the idea of military and the war. The poet sends this message through the persona of an unborn child's prayer. That how the violence has destroyed the humanity. Which can be saved by sharing love and care for each other. Not only brutality,  but corruption has made human beings sick. Here this poem tries to awaken human feelings for each other before they become destructive spirits.  

I am not yet born; O hear me.  

 Let not the bloodsucking bat or the rat or the stoat or the 

           club - footed ghoul come near me.

     The very first stanza speaks about the child's imagination. Which is full of horrors. The unborn child indicates that even unborn children are being corrupted by humans in their visualization.  To show that fear,  unborn chiild compares human being with the insects called bat, rat, stoat and club footed ghoul.  

I am not yet born, console me.  

I fear that the human race may with tall walls wall me, 

with strong drugs dope me,  with wise lies lure me, 

on black racks rack me, in blood- baths roll me.  

    In the next stanza, the child asks for the sympathy from the human beings. Because the child is aware about the cruelty committed by the humans. Here the word 'Wall' creates the feelings of dictatorship and claustrophobia. Not only that, the unborn child warns us of drugs which can be dangerous for all of us. These savage attributes makes child dejected for upcoming life. 

I am not yet born; provide me 

With water to dandle me, grass to grow for me, trees to talk to me, sky to sing me, birds and a white light in the back of my mind to guide me.  

  The stanza three includes the optimistic view of life. Here, child desires the natural elements to be a guide in his/ her path. First, it asks for the sympathy, particularly through cuddling. We know that human beings are social animals and it always remains in the search of some company.  For a baby,  these Trees, Grass,  Sky and birds are the soulmates for the rest of his/ her life.   Because these are the persons ( All natural elements personified in this stanza ) who have been a guide to him/ her throughout the life. The nature shows the humanly feelings rather than the humans themselves. The poet denounces the cruel world of humans.

I am not yet born; Forgive me 

For the sins that in me the world shall commit, my words when they speak me, my thoughts when they think me, my treason engendered by traitors beyond me, my life when they murder by means of my hands, my death when they live me.  

 We know that it is the monologue written from the perspective of an unborn child. The child is aware about the worldly things where to be aloof from these manipulatory threats is a difficult thing. Therefore,  it asks to pardon him/her-self before committing any crime. According to the child, the malpractice, corruption, is as same as the traitorhood. These words expresses the fear of becoming corrupted like everyone else on earth.  

I am not yet born; rehearse me 

In the parts I must play and the cues I must take when old men lecture me,  bureaucrats hector me,  mountains frown at me, lovers laugh at me,  the white waves call me to folly and the desert calls me to doom and the beggar refuses my gift and my children curse me. 

  The stanza five speaks about the adulthood of an unborn child. Now, the  child has faced many gruesome experiences of a real life. The child is ready to follow the path suggested by the old men. Furthermore, it seems that the child has become the puppet of a bureaucrat. Which suuggest that, the innocence is not anymore with the unborn child.  In addition, even mountains are not happy with the child due to its inhuman decisions. Nobody is happy with the (adult) child, for instance, lovers laugh at him, the white waves, that is the ocean,  which stands for peace, but here,  the waves also considers an adult child a folly. Still the pang is not going away from the child as desert declares the final dooms on the child.  So far these natural elements have cursed the adult, even beggars are not taking the gifts from him. But things became worst when his/ her own children curse the man. ( The unborn child who thinks of his future.) We can say that the child is now all alone in this cruel world.  

I am not yet born; O hear me, 

Let not the man who is beast or who thinks he is God come near me.  

   After becoming alone in this world,  it becomes difficult to survive.  But the child knows the living beast within the human being and its looming danger. For that,  the child openly tells that he/she doesn't want to be near with the violent men. It criticises the hypocrisy of the preachers. Who acts like a God but actually they are not. Who just takes the advantage of the person' s position for the own selfish reasons.    

I am not yet born; O fill me 

With strength against those who would freeze my humanity, would dragoon me into a lethal automation, would make me a cog in a machine, a thing with one face,  a thing, and against all those who would dissipate my entirely, would blow me like thistledown hither and thither or hither and thither like water held in the hands would spill me 

Let them not take me a stone and let them not spill me.  

Otherwise kill me.  

 As we proceed to the end of the poem, In  the last stanza the unborn child prays for the inner strength. The child openly admits that why he/ she requires the strength. Because people may freeze his humanity. Which represents the insensitive nature of a men. The next sentence represents the machinery world of contemporary era.  Where humans are being treated like a machine. For that poet here provides the metaphor of 'a cog in a machine.' Ultimately,  the child has now lost his own identity and wants be careful from this dissipate people. At the last the unborn child says that these people will blow him away like a  thistle and then he/ she no longer be the part of this humanly world.  

      However,  the child admits that he doesn't want to be a  stone hearted person like others. (Here the background may focuses on the life of a soldier)  And if, it happens then the unborn child is ready to die before coming out into the world. Eventually, the whole poem is an appeal, a prayer, (by a baby who is still in a womb), for the liberty and a rebel against the despotism. The tone of the poem is quite depressing.  Because the WAR is just a small word but its consequences are always gigantic one.  Not only that, it halts the progress of a nation.  The epitome of the poem is, only mankind can save an  innocent child and for that  the innocent child asks for a courage and willpower.  

•Context : Time of World War 2.  It was a time of fear for the survival of human beings.  

•Tone : The tone is full of pessimism.  There's constant menace of the future.  The poem has an apocalyptic or nightmarish sense. It represents the despondency, tribulation and the forthcoming disaster caused by the violence.  

• Form and Structure : The form of the poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by an unborn child.  Which is quite abstract.  

• Themse : 

1. The Cruel World 

2. Violence and Human Beings

3. Liberty and Despotism 

4. Bureaucracy and Corruption 

5. Dying emotion 

6. Wise or Destructive nature of machines

• Personification : 

1. Water 

2. Grass 

3. Trees 

4. Sky 

5. White light 

6. Mountains

7. White Waves 

8. Desert 

• Repetition : ' I am not yet born.' ( It works like an incantation, of a prayer.  ) 

• Alliteration :

~ Blood - Sucking bat 

~ drugs dope 

~ lies lure 

~ blood baths 

• Irony : 

~ Waves are white ( It represents the peace but here it leads towards the evils.) 

• Metaphor : 

~ 'Cog in a machine.'  

( Further Reading : Prayer Before Birth. ) 

  Click on it.  

          Our true prayer is to reflect on what we have learnt so far. Your task is to appear in the Quiz and to compete the Thinking Activity. Here it is suggested to go through this blog before starting your both tasks.  Remember one thing,  reflective learning is our strength.....

• Quiz. ( Click On It.)  

• Thinking Activity.  

1. Justify your understanding of the poem Prayer Before Birth.  

2. Why does the unborn child plea for a strength?  ( You can take help of stanza 7)  

3. What is the role of natural elements in this poem? 

👍

'Virtue' by George Herbert

 

                       The poem 'Virtue' was written by George Herbert. While reading about the author we come to know that he was born into a wealthy and prestigious family. In his poetry there is an eternal sense of spirituality. Most of the reader consider him as a religious poet. Moreover, he was associated with the Metaphysical Group of Poets. That we can see in his choice of words. 

                        'The Temple' is the main collection of his poems. The titled poem is the part of this collection. There are total four quatrains in this poem. The major theme of the poem is formed on the transience of beauty and life. Here we will see the whole poem in details.

 Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
 
   The bridal of the earth and sky;
 
   The dew shall weep thy fall tonight,
 
   For thou must die.

                            The poet begins the poem with the use of personification. As he attaches the humanly emotions to the inanimate objects. In the very beginning, the day has been described as something 'Sweet', 'Cool', 'Calm' and 'Bright.' At the next moment, there is 'bridal' depiction of the earth and sky. Thus, it provides one static image, which is of a serene day. Here we can say that narrator has compared the day as bright as the day of marriage. Not only that, the partner, earth and sky, both are happy too. Then poet moves to the more realistic fantasy. In the next line, narrator shows that the night has fallen and the eyes are full of tears. Here, for tears, writer has used the metaphor of dew. Along with this, there is clear emphasis on the idea of mortality. The narrator tries to say that, nothing is permanent. Therefore, one should better focus on present and make most of it. 

        Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave,           5

   Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye;
   Thy root is ever in its grave,
 
   And thou must die.

       In the second stanza, there is depiction of ' Sweet Rose.' But when we proceed further, we meet with the juxtaposition of  a two different characteristics. The rose is the symbol of passion, romance and beauty. Again, the hue of the rose is not the simple one, it is scarlet red. Suddenly the narrator reminds us that the color is angry and brave. Therefore it becomes the reason of tears, as it is unbearable for the person to face its intensive rays. The another symbol rose provides is of death and rebirth. Which we see in a next line. Because at the end, the grave is the shelter for everyone.

 

          Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,

   A box where sweets compacted lie;               10
   My music shows ye have your closes,

   And all must die.

                  The third stanza begins with the season of spring. It leads to the sweet days. It is like a unveiling the covered box. Our imagination might lead us to think that the box is covered due to heavy winter. The winter depicts the harshness and solitude of life. Not only that,  after facing tremendous pain one experiences the hope and tranquility of life. To this spot, Herbert shows the earthly beauty and its temporariness. Even this song itself is not eternal. 

  Only a sweet and virtuous soul
 
   Like seasoned timber, never gives;
 
   But though the whole world turn to coal,
           15
 
   Then chiefly lives.

            So far we have seen that how it becomes vital to live life fully at its own disposal. However, in the last stanza we see change in the narrative tone. Which sounds more puritan. But yes, remember one thing that puritan does not stand for conservatism, or for rigidity. As we can't forget Milton's epic poem, 'Paradise Lost.' The fourth quatrain speaks about the 'virtuous soul.' The narrator makes emphasis on the better 'karmas' of an individual person. As person's virtues are like timber which will last long. Apart from this, everything will turn into ash. 
   The entire poem warns us of the evident death. However, at the end, Herbert, reveals to the readers that, the humble, transient life and etc., these "Virtues" can help to embrace better eternal life. 


                        
 Rhyming scheme : The poem is written in Iambic Tetrameter. It consists ABAB rhyme scheme. 

Other reading source. ( click on it.)      
 

         See to reflect on our learning is one of the best virtue! Let your imagination fly...
 
     Here, your first task is to appear in the Quiz. The second task is to complete the Thinking Activity.  

1. Quiz ( Click on it )                 

        2. Thinking Activity ( These questions are based on your own thoughts. ) 

1. Justify your understanding of the poem 'Virtue.'

2. What is the symbolic meaning of the season Spring ?

3. What is your basic understanding of the word 'virtuous soul?'

4. What are the most corrupt sectors/ organisations  in India?  What will you do to prevent the corruption ?

5. What is your idea of 'honesty?' Share some of the experiences of your own life.  

'Joy and Woe are Woven Fine' by William Blake

          The poem 'Joy and Woe are Woven Fine' was written by William Blake.  He was a poet, painter and printmaker during  the romantic era of England.

         The central theme of the poem is about the vicissitudes of the life. From which one can't escape as both are part and parcel of the wonderful life. 

                Joy and woe are woven fine,
             A clothing for the soul divine;
                Under every grief and pine
              Runs a joy with silken twine,
                  It is right it should be so;
           Man was made for joy and woe;
           And when this we rightly know,
           Safely through the world we go.  

          In this short poem, poet compares joy and woe with the woven cloth. Same way in life also these both things are necessary as both are dependent on each other ! Because in life everything is temporary, nothing is permanent.  That's why poet calls it as the cloth of eternal soul. Which has the divine power.

        There is uncertainties in the life. As we know that everything is going to vanish in the dust,  same way, at one level, there might be full grief, here grief helps person to listen his conscience, which ultimately turns into motivation and leads towards the happiness. For that poet gives the symbol of silken twine. 

       At the end of the poem, poet convinces the reader that and that's how life is all about.  Once person understands the path of a life, he never gets frustrated with the life.  Which helps him in living the better, simple life.
      Thus in conclusion we can say that poet tries to provide the philosophical meaning of the life. One should prepare himself for the every situation,  which is going to come in his life. Many times people just keep thinking about the worst situations,  but rather he or she should have started finding the root of a problem. As Every Cloud has a silver lining !

     
       
     

         

'The Character of a Happy Life' by Henry Wotton

      'The Character of a Happy Life' is a poem written by the English author and diplomat Sir Henry Wotton. 

     This poem is about the character of a happy life. Where poet gives the example or we can say provides the lessons which can be considered as the character of a happy life.

          How happy is he born or taught,
           That serveth not another's will;
      Whose armour is his honest thought,
          And simple truth his highest skill;

        In first stanza poet says that, a person who is free to do anything in his or her life are the most happiest people in the world. Because they don't have to worry about others's opinion.  Here we can sense that, may be the narrator is not happy with his life.  In addition, narrator makes a strong statement by saying that, that person doesn't need any armour as his honest thoughts and simple truth stands like a mountain against the enemy. Even we can say that these are the virtues which makes the person happy in his life.

       Whose passions not his masters are;
      Whose soul is still prepar'd for death
           Untied unto the world with care
       Of princes's grace or vulgar breath;

        In the next stanza, narrator describes the good characteristics of a happy man by giving the example of the word 'passion'. Because it leads towards the success as well as to the failure.  But the happy people never get affected by the anger, he handles his emotions with great respect.  However, to fulfill the dreams his soul is ready to die.  Besides all these, the happy person remains aloof from worldly possessions. Even he doesn't crave for the praise, but gives way to the criticism, as it helps in looking one's own self.

 Who envies none whom chance doth raise,
          Or vice; who never understood
    The deepest wounds are given by praise,
            By rule of state,  but not of good;

    In this stanza poet talks about the relationship of a happy person. A happy person never gets envious for the others,  whether they are successful or not,  even they are, by vice, then also, great man shows well state of behavior with everyone and this is what makes him happier than  the others.  We can interpret that the praise which are given by the 'state' are hardly recognizable, but happy man chooses his own rules to live this invaluable life.

     Who have his life from rumours freed;
     Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
       Whose state can neither flatters feed,
           Nor ruins make accuser great;

    As narrator has shown the way of a happy life, in preceding stanza he gives the reasons behind the happy life of a person.  The happiest person keeps himself away from the rumors, because for him 'conscience' is the best guide. He knows about the sycophants ! and even bad wisher can't do anything to his soul.

        Who God doth late and early pray,
    More of his grace than goods to send,
         And entertains the harmless day
      With a well- chosen book or friend.

       Furthermore, narrator tells that happy man goes to pray everyday as it provides positive vibes in his life.  Though he never asks for the things in return,  what he wants is the grace only.  During his day the happy person entertains himself by enjoying the company of a book and friend. Eventually he enjoys the simple living which makes his life more beautiful and interesting. 

     This man is free from servile bands
            Of hope to rise or fear to fall;
     Lord of himself, though not of lands;
         And having nothing, yet hath all.

       In last stanza poet talks about the powerful mindset of a happy person.  They are more mature compare to other. The person is happy because he is free from every servile,  he has no fear of failure as well as he has accepted the reality with the help of his potentiality.  He considers himself as the master of his own fate,  but yes not to show the arrogance of the materialistic things,  but he has everything which has been attributed to the happiest life. 
          In short we can say that to become happy one needs honesty and truthfulness in their lives, the person should not think of own dreams by listening the own conscience. To reach at the pinnacle of the happiness one thinks of being free from every bonds.  And that's what makes life easier and happy too.