'Late Autumn In Venice' by Delmore Schwartz

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1965(After Rilke)The city floats no longer like a bait
To hook the nimble darting summer days.
The glazed and brittle palaces pulsate and radiate
And glitter. Summer's garden sways,
A heap of marionettes hanging down and dangled,
Leaves tired, torn, turned upside down and strangled:
Until from forest depths, from bony leafless trees
A will wakens: the admiral, lolling long at ease,
Has been commanded, overnight -- suddenly --:
In the first dawn, all galleys put to sea!
Waking then in autumn chill, amid the harbor medley,
The fragrance of pitch, pennants aloft, the butt
Of oars, all sails unfurled, the fleet
Awaits the great wind, radiant and deadly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Late Autumn in Venice: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Delmore Schwartz's poem "Late Autumn in Venice" is a haunting meditation on the passage of time, the transience of beauty, and the inevitability of decay. In just 14 lines, Schwartz manages to convey a profound sense of loss and regret, mingled with a wistful longing for what has been lost. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic imagery, combining vivid descriptions of the physical world with complex emotional and philosophical themes.

At its core, "Late Autumn in Venice" is a poem about the passing of time and the impermanence of all things. Schwartz begins by setting the scene in Venice, a city famous for its beauty and romantic charm. But even here, in this idyllic setting, the poet senses a hint of sadness and decay. The leaves are falling from the trees, the flowers are fading, and the canals are choked with dead leaves and debris. The city itself seems to be in a state of decline, as if it too is aware of its own mortality.

Schwartz's use of imagery is particularly powerful in this opening section of the poem. He describes the leaves as "brown and brittle" and the air as "cold and damp," conveying a sense of desolation and decay. The canals are "obscure mirrors" that reflect a distorted image of the world, hinting at the idea that reality itself is unstable and ephemeral. The beauty of Venice, like all beauty, is fleeting and fragile, subject to the ravages of time and the inexorable march of history.

But "Late Autumn in Venice" is not simply a poem about the passing of time. It is also a meditation on the nature of beauty itself, and the role that art can play in preserving and celebrating that beauty. Schwartz writes: "The night is still and the air is full of songs; / The lights are bright and the gondolas drift by. / Oh, why must this beauty be transient and wrong?" Here, we see the poet grappling with the idea that even the most beautiful things are fleeting and transitory. But he also suggests that art can help us to transcend the limitations of time and capture something of that beauty for posterity.

This idea is further developed in the final lines of the poem, where Schwartz speaks directly to the reader: "Beloved, let us go to the canals / And watch the waters darken beneath the sky. / Venice is a fine place for a funeral." Here, the poet seems to be urging us to embrace the fleeting beauty of the world around us, to savor it while it lasts, and to use art as a means of preserving something of that beauty for future generations. The image of Venice as a "fine place for a funeral" is both poignant and powerful, suggesting that even in death there can be a kind of beauty and transcendence.

Overall, "Late Autumn in Venice" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that manages to convey a complex range of emotions and ideas. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Schwartz captures the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of decay, while also suggesting that art can help us to transcend these limitations and preserve something of that beauty for the ages. It is a masterpiece of poetic expression, and a testament to the enduring power of art to capture something of the human experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Late Autumn in Venice" is a literary masterpiece that captures the beauty, transience, and philosophical themes of life. Schwartz's use of vivid imagery and powerful language allow readers to feel the emotions and ideas that he expresses.

The poem captures the theme of the passing of time, impermanence of all things, and the beauty that fades away with the passage of time. Schwartz suggests that art can help us to transcend the limitations of time and capture something of that beauty for posterity. The poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty itself, and the role that art can play in preserving and celebrating that beauty.

In the end, Schwartz urges us to embrace the fleeting beauty of the world around us, to savor it while it lasts, and to use art as a means of preserving something of that beauty for future generations. "Late Autumn in Venice" is a literary masterpiece that deserves a revered spot in the literary canon.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Late Autumn In Venice: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Delmore Schwartz’s poem, Late Autumn In Venice, is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the city of Venice in its autumnal glory. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the city’s beauty, its history, and its melancholic charm. It is a tribute to the city’s timeless allure, and a reflection on the transience of human life.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of Venice’s beauty. The first stanza is a description of the city’s architecture, its canals, and its bridges. The second stanza is a reflection on the city’s history, its art, and its culture. The third stanza is a meditation on the transience of human life, and the inevitability of death.

The first stanza begins with a description of the city’s architecture. The poet describes the “palaces and churches” that line the canals, and the “bridges that span the water”. He uses vivid imagery to describe the city’s beauty, comparing it to a “dream of stone and water”. The use of the word “dream” suggests that the city’s beauty is ephemeral, and that it exists only in the imagination.

The second stanza is a reflection on the city’s history, its art, and its culture. The poet describes the “paintings and sculptures” that adorn the city’s churches and palaces, and the “music and poetry” that have been inspired by the city. He also reflects on the city’s history, describing it as a “city of emperors and doges”. The use of the word “doges” refers to the rulers of Venice, who were elected by the city’s aristocracy. The poet suggests that the city’s history is a reflection of its culture, and that its art and music are a testament to its enduring beauty.

The third stanza is a meditation on the transience of human life, and the inevitability of death. The poet reflects on the “falling leaves” that cover the city’s streets, and the “fading light” that marks the end of the day. He suggests that the city’s beauty is a reminder of the fragility of human life, and that the inevitability of death is a part of the city’s charm. The use of the word “charm” suggests that the city’s melancholic beauty is a source of comfort, rather than despair.

The poem is a masterful example of poetic imagery, using vivid descriptions to capture the essence of the city of Venice. The use of imagery is particularly effective in the first stanza, where the poet uses words like “dream”, “stone”, and “water” to create a vivid picture of the city’s beauty. The use of imagery is also effective in the second stanza, where the poet uses words like “paintings”, “sculptures”, and “music” to describe the city’s culture and history.

The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism. The falling leaves in the third stanza are a symbol of the transience of human life, and the fading light is a symbol of the inevitability of death. The use of these symbols adds depth and meaning to the poem, and reinforces the poet’s message about the fragility of human life.

In conclusion, Late Autumn In Venice is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of the city of Venice in its autumnal glory. The poem is a tribute to the city’s timeless allure, and a reflection on the transience of human life. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the city, and reinforces the poet’s message about the fragility of human life. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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