Epitaph by Pablo Neruda (1954)
The poem is a lament for the dead, exploring themes of love, loss, and mortality. It consists of 15 cantos, each addressing a different aspect of death and the afterlife. The speaker describes the deceased's journey to the underworld, guided by Charon, and their encounter with the shades of the dead.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1954 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism · 30 words
First lines
This was the wounded lover: during the night, woven with pathways, she dreamed of victory, she embraced the grief.
Her lover was a sword.
What this Textopian page supports
Epitaph is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1954 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Pablo Neruda
- Date: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism, Symbolism, Lyricism
- Length: 30 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Epitaph by Pablo Neruda
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Epitaph?
- How does this poem by Pablo Neruda fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- I Ask For Silence by Pablo Neruda
- Dead Gallop by Pablo Neruda
- So Long Visitor by Pablo Neruda
- September 8 by Pablo Neruda
- Appointment With Winter by Pablo Neruda
- The Resurrected Woman by Pablo Neruda
Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical and expressive language, typical of Neruda's poetic style.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and emotional depth are central to the text, aligning it with romantic literary traditions.
- Existentialism — The exploration of grief and the human condition reflects existential themes.
- Symbolism — The use of metaphorical language and symbols, such as the lover as a sword, indicates a symbolic approach.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Chilean Poetry · Love Poems · Death and Mourning · Elegy · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Melancholy
More by Pablo Neruda
- Body of a Woman (1959)
- The Light Wraps You (1954)
- Ah Vastness of Pines (1975)
- The Morning Is Full (1954)
- So That You Will Hear Me (1976)
- I Remember You As You Were (1952)
- Leaning Into The Afternoons Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets towards your oceanic eyes (1954)
- White Bee (1974)
- All works by Pablo Neruda