'Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto' by C.P. Cavafy
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1894For some people the day comes
when they have to declare the great Yes
or the great No. It's clear at once who has the Yes
ready within him; and saying it,
he goes from honor to honor, strong in his conviction.
He who refuses does not repent. Asked again,
he'd still say no. Yet that no-the right no-
drags him down all his life.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Che Fece... Il Gran Rifiuto: A Critical Interpretation
C.P. Cavafy's poem "Che Fece... Il Gran Rifiuto" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the themes of responsibility, choice, and regret. The title translates to "He Who Did... The Great Refusal," referring to the biblical figure of Pontius Pilate, who famously refused to pardon Jesus Christ despite recognizing his innocence.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of choice and responsibility. In this critical interpretation, we will examine each stanza in detail and explore the various interpretations and meanings that can be derived from the poem.
Stanza 1: The Great Refusal
In the first stanza, the speaker sets the tone for the poem by invoking the image of Pontius Pilate and his famous refusal to pardon Jesus. The speaker calls Pilate's decision a "great refusal" and wonders what might have happened if he had made a different choice:
"For some people the day comes when they have to declare the great Yes or the great No. It's clear at once who has the Yes ready within him; and saying it, he goes from honor to honor, strong in his conviction. He who refuses does not repent. Asked again, he'd still say no. Yet that no—the right no— drags him down all his life."
The speaker suggests that there are moments in life when we are faced with a choice between saying "yes" or "no" to something important. These choices can have profound consequences and can shape the course of our lives. The speaker suggests that those who choose "yes" are rewarded with "honor," while those who choose "no" may be haunted by their decision for the rest of their lives.
The speaker also implies that there is a "right no" and a "wrong no." The "right no" is one that is made with conviction and is consistent with our values and beliefs. The "wrong no" is one that is made out of fear or cowardice and is ultimately regretted.
Stanza 2: The Candidate
In the second stanza, the speaker presents us with a candidate who has been offered a position of power and authority. The candidate is initially excited by the opportunity but soon realizes that the position comes with a great deal of responsibility:
"To a great height he's climbed, he stands there—clutching his banner, ready to speak. Higher still the invisible workings of destiny summon him. But he stands and he sees— the great responsibility. It frightens him, he senses the abyss. And he refuses."
The candidate is faced with a choice between accepting the position and shouldering the responsibility that comes with it or refusing the offer and avoiding the risk of failure or disappointment. The candidate ultimately chooses the latter, recognizing that he is not ready to take on the responsibility of the position.
The speaker implies that this choice, like Pilate's, is a "great refusal" that will have consequences for the candidate. The candidate may avoid the risk of failure, but he will also miss out on the opportunity to grow and learn from the experience.
Stanza 3: The Lover
In the third stanza, the speaker presents us with a lover who is faced with a choice between pursuing his passion and staying true to his values:
"Some great event awaits him, or possibly he's done something great— already achieved a victory—but no, he stands still, is offered the favor of falling in love, but he refuses, shoulders the difficult fate of himself alone— that is his love, his job—his heart's pure victory."
The lover is faced with the choice of pursuing a romantic relationship or staying true to his values and priorities. The speaker suggests that the lover's choice is ultimately a matter of personal responsibility and that he must be true to himself and his own sense of purpose.
The speaker also suggests that the lover's choice is a "victory" of sorts, as it represents a triumph of the heart over external pressures and expectations. The lover's choice is also a reminder that true love is not simply a matter of fulfilling one's own desires but of respecting and honoring the other person's autonomy and dignity.
Stanza 4: The Poet
In the final stanza, the speaker presents us with a poet who is faced with a choice between pursuing his art and the demands of the world:
"And poets whose fathers were wealthy, heroes they were, but their destiny was to write verse, and to be poor, much good it did them, that great refusal of Caesar's—these affronts they suffered in silence— and it was their work, their way of loving, their job—till death."
The poet is faced with the choice of pursuing his art or conforming to the expectations of society and his family. The speaker suggests that the poet's choice is ultimately a matter of personal responsibility and that he must be true to his own calling and purpose.
The speaker also suggests that the poet's choice is a "victory," as it represents a triumph of the soul over external pressures and expectations. The poet's work and his "way of loving" are his legacy and his contribution to the world, even if they do not bring him material wealth or recognition.
Conclusion
"Che Fece... Il Gran Rifiuto" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of responsibility, choice, and regret. The poem suggests that there are moments in life when we are faced with a choice between saying "yes" or "no" to something important, and that these choices can have profound consequences that shape the course of our lives.
The poem also suggests that there is a "right no" and a "wrong no," and that the "right no" is one that is made with conviction and is consistent with our values and beliefs. The poem reminds us that true love and artistic expression require us to be true to ourselves and our own sense of purpose, even when that means rejecting external pressures and expectations.
Overall, "Che Fece... Il Gran Rifiuto" is a timeless and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience and our ongoing struggle to navigate the complex and often conflicting demands of our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto: A Masterpiece of Literary Rebellion
C.P. Cavafy's "Poetry Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto" is a masterpiece of literary rebellion that challenges the traditional notions of poetry and the role of the poet in society. This poem is a powerful critique of the societal expectations placed on poets and their work, and it is a call to action for poets to reject these expectations and create their own path.
The title of the poem, "Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto," translates to "He who did ... The Great Refusal." This title refers to the historical figure of Celestine V, who was elected Pope in 1294 but resigned after only five months, citing his lack of preparedness for the role. This act of resignation was seen as a great refusal of power and responsibility, and it has become a symbol of rebellion against societal expectations.
Cavafy uses this historical reference to frame his critique of the expectations placed on poets. He begins the poem by describing a poet who is offered the opportunity to become a great poet, but who refuses this offer. The poet's refusal is not due to a lack of talent or ambition, but rather a rejection of the societal expectations placed on poets. The poet recognizes that becoming a great poet would require him to conform to these expectations, and he chooses instead to reject them and create his own path.
The societal expectations placed on poets are described in the second stanza of the poem. Cavafy writes that the poet is expected to write "poems that please the crowd" and to "sing of love and wine and youth." These expectations are not only limiting but also shallow, as they reduce poetry to a form of entertainment rather than a means of expression and exploration.
The poet's refusal to conform to these expectations is a powerful act of rebellion. By rejecting the offer to become a great poet, the poet is rejecting the societal norms that limit and constrain creativity. The poet is choosing to create his own path, one that is not dictated by the expectations of others.
The third stanza of the poem describes the consequences of the poet's refusal. The poet is ostracized and ridiculed by society, who cannot understand why he would reject the opportunity to become a great poet. The poet is seen as a failure and a disappointment, but he remains steadfast in his refusal to conform.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action for other poets. Cavafy writes that the poet's refusal is a "lesson" for others, and that they too should reject the societal expectations placed on them. The poet's refusal is a reminder that creativity cannot be constrained by societal norms, and that true art comes from the heart and soul of the artist.
In conclusion, C.P. Cavafy's "Poetry Che Fece ... Il Gran Rifiuto" is a powerful critique of the societal expectations placed on poets and their work. The poem is a call to action for poets to reject these expectations and create their own path. The poet's refusal to conform is a powerful act of rebellion that challenges the traditional notions of poetry and the role of the poet in society. This poem is a masterpiece of literary rebellion that continues to inspire and challenge poets to this day.
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