'Sestina: Altaforte' by Ezra Pound

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LOQUITUR: En Bertans de Born.Dante Alighieri put this man in hell
for that he was a stirrer up of strife.Eccovi! Judge ye! Have I dug
him up again?The scene is at his castle, Altaforte."Papiols" is his
jongleur."The Leopard," the device of Richard Coeur de Lion.IDamn it all! all this our South stinks peace.
You whoreson dog, Papiols, come!Let's to music!
I have no life save when the swords clash.
But ah! when I see the standards gold, vair, purple, opposing
And the broad fields beneath them turn crimson,
Then howl I my heart nigh mad with rejoicing.IIIn hot summer I have great rejoicing
When the tempests kill the earth's foul peace,
And the lightning from black heav'n flash crimson,
And the fierce thunders roar me their music
And the winds shriek through the clouds mad, opposing,
And through all the riven skies God's swords clash.IIIHell grant soon we hear again the swords clash!
And the shrill neighs of destriers in battle rejoicing,
Spiked breast to spiked breat opposing!
Better one hour's stour than a year's peace
With fat boards, bawds, wine and frail music!
Bah! there's no wine like the blood's crimson!IVAnd I love to see the sun rise blood-crimson.
And I watch his spears through the dark clash
And it fills all my heart with rejoicing
And pries wide my mouth with fast music
When I see him so scorn and defy peace,
His long might 'gainst all darkness opposing.VThe man who fears war and squats opposing
My words for stour, hath no blood of crimson
But is fit only to rot in womanish peace
Far from where worth's won and the swords clash
For the death of such sluts I go rejoicing;
Yea, I fill all the air with my music.VIPapiols, Papiols, to the music!
There's no sound like to swords swords opposing,
No cry like the battle's rejoicing
When our elbows and swords drip the crimson
And our charges 'gainst "The Leopard's" rush clash.
May God damn for ever all who cry "Peace!"VIIAnd let the music of the swords make them crimson!
Hell grant soon we hear again the swords clash!
Hell blot black for always the thought "Peace!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sestina: Altaforte by Ezra Pound

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were in the middle of a battle? That's how I felt when I first read "Sestina: Altaforte" by Ezra Pound. Pound's use of language and imagery in this poem is nothing short of breathtaking. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the poem's historical context, form, and themes to better understand its relevance and impact on modern poetry.

Historical Context

"Sestina: Altaforte" was written by Ezra Pound in 1909, during a time when European society was in upheaval. The poem was written during the era of the Futurist movement, which was a response to the Industrial Revolution and the changes it brought to society. The Futurists believed that technology was changing the world at an alarming rate and that art needed to keep up with these changes. They sought to break away from traditional forms of art, including poetry, and create something new and exciting.

Pound was heavily influenced by the Futurist movement and his poem "Sestina: Altaforte" reflects this. The poem is a celebration of war and violence, which was a common theme in Futurist art. It's important to note that Pound wrote this poem before World War I, which was a time when war was still seen as a noble and heroic endeavor.

Form

The form of "Sestina: Altaforte" is a sestina, which is a highly structured form of poetry that involves repeating end words in a specific pattern. Pound uses this form to great effect, as it reinforces the poem's themes of violence and chaos. The sestina consists of six stanzas of six lines each and a final stanza of three lines. The end words of each line in the first stanza are repeated in a specific pattern in the following stanzas, which creates a sense of circularity and inevitability. The repetition of end words also creates a sense of power and intensity, which reinforces the poem's themes.

Themes

The main themes of "Sestina: Altaforte" are war, violence, and masculinity. Pound's use of language and imagery in this poem is highly evocative and creates a sense of chaos and destruction. The poem is written from the perspective of a warrior, who extols the virtues of war and violence. The language used in the poem is highly aggressive, with words like "kill," "smite," and "slaughter" used frequently.

The poem also celebrates masculinity and physical strength. The warrior in the poem is depicted as a hero and an embodiment of masculine strength. He is described as having "muscles like iron" and being "hard as granite." This celebration of masculinity is also reflected in the poem's use of imagery. The warrior is compared to a "lion" and a "tiger," which are both symbols of strength and power.

Interpretation

The interpretation of "Sestina: Altaforte" is highly subjective and depends on the reader's individual perspective. Some readers may see the poem as a celebration of war and violence, while others may view it as a critique of these things. One possible interpretation of the poem is that it reflects Pound's own disillusionment with war and violence. Pound was living in Europe during a time of great upheaval and saw firsthand the devastating effects of war. "Sestina: Altaforte" may be a reflection of his own conflicted feelings about these things.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it reflects the Futurist movement's celebration of technology and progress. The warrior in the poem may be seen as a symbol of progress and the triumph of modernity over tradition. The poem's use of highly structured form may also be a reflection of the Futurist desire to break away from traditional forms of art.

Regardless of how one interprets the poem, there is no denying its impact on modern poetry. Pound's use of language and imagery in "Sestina: Altaforte" has influenced countless poets and writers over the years. The poem's celebration of violence and masculinity may be controversial, but its power and intensity cannot be denied.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Sestina: Altaforte" by Ezra Pound is a powerful and intense poem that reflects the historical context of its time. Pound's use of language and imagery creates a sense of chaos and destruction, while the poem's form reinforces its themes of violence and masculinity. The poem's impact on modern poetry cannot be denied, as its influence can be seen in the work of countless poets and writers. Whether one sees the poem as a celebration of war or a critique of violence, there is no denying its power and intensity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Altaforte: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

Ezra Pound, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, wrote Altaforte in 1909. This poem is a sestina, a complex form of poetry that requires a strict pattern of repetition and rhyme. Pound's use of this form in Altaforte is a testament to his mastery of poetic technique and his ability to convey powerful emotions through language.

The poem is a tribute to the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, who was known for his nationalist and militaristic views. Pound was inspired by D'Annunzio's poetry and his passionate advocacy for Italian unity and strength. In Altaforte, Pound channels this same fervor and intensity, using vivid imagery and forceful language to convey his message.

The poem begins with a description of a battle scene, with soldiers charging into battle and the sound of trumpets ringing out. Pound's use of onomatopoeia in this opening stanza creates a sense of urgency and excitement, drawing the reader into the action. He writes:

"DAMNED Uplifted trumpets, concussions of air Shrill, chill, with ceaseless, bloodless smile The triumphant shout of Satan's fount, Joyous, unconfined, elate, insane"

The repetition of the "s" sound in "shrill" and "ceaseless" creates a sense of tension and urgency, while the alliteration of "triumphant shout" and "Satan's fount" adds to the poem's sense of drama and intensity.

As the poem progresses, Pound continues to use vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the brutality and violence of war. He describes the soldiers as "beasts" and "wolves," and the battlefield as a place of "carnage" and "slaughter." He writes:

"Beasts, wolves howling, rend the night, Clamour, Moloch, of horn and drum, Mingling, in the thick of fight, Carnage, slaughter, ruin, rout, Grim faces, laughter out of hell."

The repetition of the "r" sound in "carnage," "slaughter," and "ruin" creates a sense of chaos and destruction, while the alliteration of "grim faces" and "laughter out of hell" adds to the poem's sense of horror and despair.

Despite the violence and brutality of the battle, Pound also celebrates the courage and bravery of the soldiers. He writes:

"Courage, high honour, loyalty, Fire our hearts with sacred flame, Valour, strength, and chivalry, Glorious names and deeds proclaim, Victory shining on our brows."

The repetition of the "v" sound in "valour," "victory," and "shining" creates a sense of triumph and pride, while the alliteration of "courage," "honour," and "loyalty" adds to the poem's sense of heroism and nobility.

Throughout the poem, Pound uses the sestina form to create a sense of repetition and circularity. The same six words are repeated at the end of each line in a specific pattern, creating a sense of rhythm and structure. This repetition also reinforces the poem's themes of war, violence, and heroism, as each word is associated with these concepts.

In conclusion, Altaforte is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, showcasing Ezra Pound's mastery of poetic technique and his ability to convey powerful emotions through language. The poem's vivid imagery, forceful language, and use of the sestina form create a sense of urgency and intensity, drawing the reader into the action and conveying the brutality and violence of war. Despite this, Pound also celebrates the courage and bravery of the soldiers, creating a sense of heroism and nobility that is both inspiring and moving. Overall, Altaforte is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience and to convey the full range of human emotions.

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