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This poem talks about the creation of man, of man philosopher (Genius), to be exact.

When God created


man, man was nothing but clay. But with man's own efforts he developed himself into our civilized state.
Then, in the second stanza, god seems to be surprised at the human behaviour of questioning the
existence of God, in what seems to be controversial language and manner (the bow). Then god questions
man about the reason of what god thinks is slaying him. Man clarifies his intention, by explainig that he
desires nothing but to discover the concept of God, out of curiousity. At the end, the poet seems to
approve of the necessity of thinking, and that reason is the way to reach God. This approval can be seen
through the usage of 'Genius'.
God said, "I made a man out of clay-

God (in third person point of view) begins speaking here directly to someone or something (not explained
yet) and he simply speaks a general "fact" that he created mankind out of clay, perhaps an ode to Greek
myth and/or perhaps referring to a common conception of mankind being "molded" by a heigher deity

But so bright he, he spun
Himself to brightest Day
Till he was all shining gold, and oh,
He was handsome to behold!

these lines continue with the molding imagery as its subject, but relay its meaning to a simple compliment
to our mankind/his creation..we were able to be ordinary beings made from clay to wonderful
("handsome") creatures

But in his hands held he a bow
Aimed at me who created him.

God's creation is turning hostile towards him (i.e. Frankenstein and his monster)

And I said, "Wouldst murder me
Who am thy Fountainhead!"

God (in first person now) is questioning why his creation would turn against him, him being a
fountainhead (mankind's source-see source note below)

Then spoke he the man of gold:
"I will not
Murder thee! I do but measure thee.
Hold thy peace.'

mankinds rebuttal to a confused God, basically states mankind will not act against God, but God will be
under a watchful eye (measure thee) and demands God to be peaceful with his new creation

And this I did.

God agrees to mankind's terms in first person but is curious who this "regal head" (kingly like leader) is in
front of him because it is clearly not his original creation and he demands an answer from mankind ('Give
thy name!')

'Sir! Genius.'
mankind, God's creation, responds that this "regal head" is actually "genius" which could be viewed as
the personification of Genius as an evolved form of human being wary of God's power

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