The Poet With His Face in His Hands

The phrase “the poet with his face in his hands” is one of the most enduring images in literature. It has been used for centuries to describe a particular kind of sorrowful, introspective artist. It has also been used to describe a particular kind of loneliness and solitude. But what does this phrase mean and why is it so meaningful?

The Meaning of the Phrase

The Meaning of the Phrase

The phrase “the poet with his face in his hands” is often used to describe an artist who is experiencing a deep, intense emotion. It is a metaphor for a poet or artist who is deeply immersed in their emotions and thoughts, and is expressing their feelings through their work. The phrase evokes a sense of sadness, loneliness and introspection, and is often used to describe a poet or artist who is struggling to express their innermost feelings.

The Historical Context

The Historical Context

The phrase “the poet with his face in his hands” has been used throughout literature for centuries. It was first used in the works of the ancient Greeks, who used it to describe the poet Homer and the famous tragedians Aeschylus and Sophocles. In the Middle Ages, it was used to describe the melancholic works of Dante and Petrarch. During the Renaissance, the phrase was used to describe the works of Shakespeare and other great poets and playwrights. In the modern era, it is often used to describe the works of modern poets and writers such as T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, and Sylvia Plath.

The Significance of the Phrase

The Significance of the Phrase

The phrase “the poet with his face in his hands” is one of the most powerful and evocative images in literature. It is a metaphor for the deep emotions and thoughts of a poet or artist, and the struggle to express them. It is also a reminder of the power of art to communicate emotions and feelings that words alone cannot express. It is a reminder that there is beauty and solace to be found in the depths of sorrow and despair.



The phrase “the poet with his face in his hands” is an enduring image in literature. It is a metaphor for the deep emotions and thoughts of a poet or artist, and the struggle to express them. It is also a reminder of the power of art to communicate emotions and feelings that words alone cannot express. The phrase has been used for centuries, and its meaning and significance remain as powerful and evocative today as it was in the past.