'In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave' by Delmore Schwartz

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In the naked bed, in Plato's cave,Reflected headlights slowly slid the wall,
Carpenters hammered under the shaded window,
Wind troubled the window curtains all night long,
A fleet of trucks strained uphill, grinding,
Their freights covered, as usual.
The ceiling lightened again, the slanting diagram
Slid slowly forth.Hearing the milkman's clop,
his striving up the stair, the bottle's chink,
I rose from bed, lit a cigarette,
And walked to the window. The stony street
Displayed the stillness in which buildings stand,
The street-lamp's vigil and the horse's patience.
The winter sky's pure capital
Turned me back to bed with exhausted eyes.Strangeness grew in the motionless air. The loose
Film grayed. Shaking wagons, hooves' waterfalls,
Sounded far off, increasing, louder and nearer.
A car coughed, starting. Morning softly
Melting the air, lifted the half-covered chair
From underseas, kindled the looking-glass,
Distinguished the dresser and the white wall.
The bird called tentatively, whistled, called,
Bubbled and whistled, so! Perplexed, still wet
With sleep, affectionate, hungry and cold. So, so,
O son of man, the ignorant night, the travail
Of early morning, the mystery of the beginning
Again and again,while history is unforgiven.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave: A Critical Analysis

Delmore Schwartz's poem, "Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave," is a complex, layered work that explores the relationship between poetry and reality, art and life, and the human desire to transcend the limitations of existence. With its evocative imagery, rich language, and philosophical themes, this poem invites readers to engage with its meaning on multiple levels, challenging us to think deeply about the nature of art and the role it plays in our lives.

Overview and Context

First published in 1948, "Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is one of the most celebrated works by Delmore Schwartz, a poet, and writer associated with the mid-twentieth-century literary movement known as the New York School. Born in Brooklyn in 1913, Schwartz was a prodigious talent who published his first book of poetry, In Dreams Begin Responsibilities, when he was just twenty-six years old. Over the course of his career, he would go on to write novels, essays, and plays, but his poetry remains his most enduring legacy.

Schwartz's work is often characterized by its intellectualism, its preoccupation with existential and philosophical questions, and its use of dense, allusive language. "Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is no exception. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between poetry and reality.

Analysis

Section I: "In The Naked Bed"

The poem begins with a vivid, sensory image of "the naked bed." This phrase immediately grabs the reader's attention, suggesting both intimacy and vulnerability. The bed is a place of rest and relaxation, but also a site of emotional and physical exposure. The speaker of the poem seems to be addressing a lover or partner, describing the experience of lying together in bed in a moment of quiet intimacy.

The language of this section is rich and sensual, with the speaker describing the "warmth and sweetness" of their bodies and the way they "dissolve and fade away" into each other. There is a sense of total immersion in the moment, a feeling of being lost in sensation and emotion.

But even as the speaker revels in this experience, he also acknowledges a sense of dislocation and separation. He describes himself and his partner as "two creatures who know they are loved," implying a certain distance between them. They are connected, but also distinct, each experiencing their own sensations and emotions.

This sense of separation is reinforced by the poem's use of imagery. The speaker describes the "blank walls" of the room, the "monstrous darkness" outside, and the "cold wind" blowing through the window. These images suggest a world beyond the intimate moment of the bed, a world that is hostile, unknown, and unfeeling.

Section II: "In Plato's Cave"

In the second section of the poem, the speaker shifts his focus to a philosophical exploration of the relationship between poetry and reality. He invokes the image of Plato's cave, a famous allegory from ancient Greek philosophy. In this allegory, a group of prisoners are chained in a cave, facing a wall. They are unable to turn their heads or move their bodies. Behind them, a fire burns, casting shadows on the wall in front of them. The prisoners mistake these shadows for reality, believing them to be the only true world.

The allegory is often interpreted as a metaphor for the limitations of human perception and understanding. The prisoners in the cave are trapped by their own ignorance, unable to see the true nature of the world around them.

The speaker of the poem uses this image to explore the idea that poetry, like the shadows on the wall of the cave, is a representation of reality, not reality itself. He asks, "What is poetry but a blind date with the world?" suggesting that poetry is a kind of imperfect, partial encounter with reality.

At the same time, the speaker argues that poetry has the power to reveal truths about the world that might otherwise go unnoticed. He describes the way poetry can "light up the cave of our ignorance" and give us a glimpse of the true nature of reality.

Section III: "In The Room Beyond"

The third and final section of the poem returns to the image of the naked bed, but with a new sense of perspective. The speaker now seems to be looking back on the moment of intimacy from a distance, reflecting on its meaning and significance.

He describes the way the experience of being in bed with his partner has left him feeling "restored and redeemed," as though he has been given a glimpse of a higher reality. He suggests that this experience has allowed him to transcend the limitations of his own existence, to connect with something greater than himself.

At the same time, the speaker acknowledges the impermanence of this moment. He describes the way it "fades and dwindles away" like a dream, leaving him with only the memory of its beauty.

The poem ends with a sense of ambiguity, with the speaker suggesting that the experience of poetry, like the experience of intimacy, is both fleeting and eternal. He writes, "In the room beyond / This one, the shadows of reality close in."

Conclusion

"Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is a rich, complex poem that explores the relationship between poetry and reality, art and life, and the human desire to transcend the limitations of existence. Through its use of vivid imagery, rich language, and philosophical themes, the poem invites readers to engage with its meaning on multiple levels, challenging us to think deeply about the nature of art and the role it plays in our lives.

At its core, the poem suggests that poetry is both a representation of reality and a means of transcending it. Through poetry, we can gain a glimpse of the true nature of reality, but that glimpse is always partial and imperfect. Like the experience of intimacy, the experience of poetry is fleeting and ephemeral, but it can also be transformative and life-affirming.

Ultimately, "Poetry, In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is a testament to the power of language and the human desire to connect with something greater than ourselves. It is a work of art that invites us to explore the boundaries of our own perceptions and understanding, and to embrace the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complex relationship between art, reality, and the human condition. Written in 1938, the poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world.

At its core, the poem is an exploration of the idea that poetry is a form of escape from the harsh realities of life. The speaker of the poem is lying in bed, naked and alone, contemplating the power of poetry to transport him to another world. He imagines himself in Plato's Cave, a metaphor for the limitations of human perception and understanding. In the cave, he is surrounded by shadows and illusions, unable to see the true nature of reality.

The speaker's thoughts then turn to the power of poetry to illuminate the darkness of the cave. He imagines himself as a poet, using words to create a new reality that transcends the limitations of the physical world. He writes:

"I am the poet in the naked bed, / I am the philosopher in the dark room, / I am the scientist at the foot of the mountain, / I am the explorer in the jungle of words."

These lines capture the essence of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of the physical world and to explore the depths of the human soul.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The speaker's descriptions of the cave, the jungle of words, and the naked bed are vivid and evocative, creating a sense of atmosphere that draws the reader into the world of the poem. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to explore complex ideas in a way that is both accessible and engaging.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of language. Schwartz's writing is rich and lyrical, with a musical quality that enhances the emotional impact of the poem. The use of repetition, alliteration, and other poetic devices creates a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader along.

At the same time, the poem is also deeply philosophical, exploring complex ideas about the nature of reality and the role of art in human life. The speaker's musings on the limitations of human perception and understanding are particularly thought-provoking, as they challenge the reader to consider the ways in which our own perceptions and beliefs shape our understanding of the world around us.

Ultimately, "Poetry In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is a powerful meditation on the nature of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world. Through its vivid imagery, lyrical language, and philosophical musings, the poem invites the reader to explore the depths of the human soul and to contemplate the power of art to transform our understanding of the world around us.

In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry In The Naked Bed, In Plato's Cave" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves to be celebrated for its beauty, its depth, and its ability to inspire and challenge readers. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates great writing, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. So take some time to read it, to savor its language and imagery, and to contemplate the profound ideas that it explores. You won't be disappointed.

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