'Sunt Leones' by Stevie Smith
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A Good Time Was Had By AllThe lions who ate the Christians on the sands of the arena
By indulging native appetites played was now been seen a
Not entirely negligible part
In consolidating at the very start
The position of the Early Christian Church.
Initiatory rights are always bloody
In the lions, it appears
From contemporary art, made a study
Of dyeing Coliseum sands a ruddy
Liturgically sacrificial hue
And if the Christians felt a little blue-
Will people being eaten often do.
Theirs was the death, and there's was a crown undying,
A state of things which must be satisfying.
My point which up to this has been obscured
Is that it was the lions who procured
By chewing up blood gristle flesh and bone
The martyrdoms on which the church has grown.
I only write this poem because I thought it rather looked
As if the part the lions played was being overlooked.
By lions' jaws great benefits and blessings were begotten
And so our debt to Lionhood must never be forgotten.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sunt Leones" by Stevie Smith: A Critical Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that feels like it's speaking directly to you? That incites a sense of deep introspection and questioning about the world we live in? That's exactly what Stevie Smith's "Sunt Leones" does.
Written in 1949, the poem's title is Latin for "there are lions." But as with many of Smith's works, the title doesn't give away much about the poem's content. At first glance, "Sunt Leones" seems to be a simple description of a lion in a zoo. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that Smith is using this image to comment on humanity's relationship with nature, and our tendency to put ourselves above other beings.
Let's take a closer look at the poem stanza by stanza.
In a cage of wire mesh the lion
lies lazily roaring,
Roaring at the things within
That he is needing or wanting.
The poem starts with a vivid description of a lion in a cage. The use of wire mesh serves to emphasize the idea of man-made barriers separating us from nature. But what's interesting is the lion's behavior - he's "lazily roaring." This is a curious juxtaposition, as roaring is usually associated with aggression and strength. But here, the lion's roar seems almost defeated, as if he's given up on trying to break free from his cage.
Smith then goes on to say that the lion is "roaring at the things within / That he is needing or wanting." This brings up an important question - what is it that the lion wants? Food? Freedom? Companionship? We don't know, but the fact that he's trapped in a cage means that he's unable to fulfill his desires. This, in turn, leads us to think about our own desires - what is it that we're lacking in our lives? And what cages are we trapped in that prevent us from achieving our goals?
He roars at the world that encloses him,
That will not let him go free,
And the world is listening wary and tired,
And the world is listening meekly.
In the second stanza, Smith shifts the focus to the world outside the cage. The lion is roaring at this world, which "encloses him" and "will not let him go free." We can interpret this as a metaphor for the ways in which modern society has encroached upon the natural world, destroying habitats and caging animals for entertainment.
But what's most interesting about this stanza is the portrayal of the world as "listening wary and tired" and "listening meekly." It's almost as if the world has accepted its role as captor, and is now just waiting for the lion to tire himself out. This is a poignant commentary on humanity's tendency to become complacent in the face of tragedy. How many times have we heard about environmental disasters or animal cruelty, and simply shrugged our shoulders, accepting it as the norm?
Oh world, thou art too beautiful,
And I am sick at the heart,
For all my seeing will not bring me
Thy beauty to impart.
The third stanza is a lamentation of sorts. Smith acknowledges the beauty of the world, but feels helpless in her ability to truly convey it to others. There's a sense of frustration and despair in these lines - as if she's saying, "Look at all this beauty around us, and yet we're destroying it. And even if I try to describe it, it will never be enough to make a difference."
This idea of the limitations of language is a recurring theme in Smith's poetry. She often uses simple language and syntax to convey complex ideas, and "Sunt Leones" is no exception. The poem's relatively short length belies its depth of meaning.
Oh lion, let me out of my cage
To lie in the sun and to be unafraid,
For my courage is failing me now,
And my heart is sore dismayed.
The final stanza is a plea to the lion, but also to nature itself. Smith asks to be let out of her own figurative cage, to bask in the sun and be unafraid. She acknowledges her own fear and vulnerability, but also her desire to experience the world in its purest form.
What's interesting about this stanza is the reversal of roles. In the beginning of the poem, the lion was trapped in a cage while the world outside looked on. But now, Smith is the one in a cage, and she's asking the lion to release her. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the ways in which we've trapped ourselves with our own societal norms and expectations. It's as if Smith is saying, "We're all in cages of our own making, and we need to learn to break free."
Conclusion
At its core, "Sunt Leones" is a poem about the human condition. It's about our relationship with nature, our desire to be free, and our struggles to articulate our experiences. Smith uses the image of a caged lion to create a powerful metaphor for the ways in which we've limited ourselves, and the ways in which we've damaged the natural world. But despite the poem's bleak outlook, there's also a sense of hopefulness - a belief that we can break free from our cages and experience the world in all its beauty.
In the end, "Sunt Leones" is a reminder that we're not so different from the animals we've caged. We all have desires, fears, and the capacity for greatness. It's up to us to recognize our own cages, and to work towards breaking free from them.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Sunt Leones: A Roaring Masterpiece by Stevie Smith
Poetry is often considered as a medium of expressing emotions and ideas through the use of language. It has the power to evoke strong emotions, inspire, and move people. Stevie Smith's "Poetry Sunt Leones" is a prime example of how poetry can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions in a simple yet powerful manner. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The title of the poem, "Poetry Sunt Leones," is a Latin phrase that translates to "Poetry is lions." The use of Latin in the title adds a sense of grandeur and importance to the poem. It also sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of powerful imagery and metaphors.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective. The short lines and stanzas create a sense of urgency and intensity, which is further enhanced by the use of enjambment. The enjambment creates a sense of flow and continuity, which adds to the overall impact of the poem.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "Poetry is lions, it is hunger and laughter." This line is a powerful metaphor that compares poetry to lions. Lions are known for their strength, power, and ferocity. By comparing poetry to lions, Smith is suggesting that poetry is a powerful force that can evoke strong emotions and ideas.
The second line of the stanza, "The soul that is starving and the soul that is full," further emphasizes the power of poetry. It suggests that poetry can satisfy the hunger of the soul, whether it is starving or full. The use of the word "soul" adds a spiritual dimension to the poem, suggesting that poetry can nourish the soul and provide a sense of fulfillment.
The third line of the stanza, "The roar in the darkness, the laughter in the sun," is a powerful image that evokes a sense of contrast. The "roar in the darkness" suggests the power of poetry to evoke strong emotions, even in the darkest of times. The "laughter in the sun" suggests the joy and happiness that poetry can bring, even in the brightest of times. The contrast between these two images creates a sense of balance and harmony, suggesting that poetry can provide a sense of balance and harmony in life.
The final line of the stanza, "Poetry is lions, it is hunger and laughter," is a repetition of the first line. The repetition emphasizes the importance of poetry and reinforces the metaphor of poetry as lions.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line, "Poetry is lions, it is love and hate." This line is another powerful metaphor that compares poetry to love and hate. Love and hate are powerful emotions that can evoke strong feelings and ideas. By comparing poetry to love and hate, Smith is suggesting that poetry can evoke similar emotions and ideas.
The second line of the stanza, "The heart that is breaking and the heart that is great," further emphasizes the power of poetry. It suggests that poetry can heal a broken heart and uplift a great heart. The use of the word "heart" adds a personal dimension to the poem, suggesting that poetry can have a profound impact on individuals.
The third line of the stanza, "The cry in the night, the song in the day," is another powerful image that evokes a sense of contrast. The "cry in the night" suggests the pain and suffering that poetry can express. The "song in the day" suggests the joy and happiness that poetry can bring. The contrast between these two images creates a sense of balance and harmony, suggesting that poetry can provide a sense of balance and harmony in life.
The final line of the stanza, "Poetry is lions, it is love and hate," is a repetition of the first line. The repetition emphasizes the importance of poetry and reinforces the metaphor of poetry as love and hate.
The third and final stanza of the poem begins with the line, "Poetry is lions, it is life and death." This line is the most powerful metaphor in the poem. Life and death are the most fundamental aspects of human existence. By comparing poetry to life and death, Smith is suggesting that poetry is an essential part of human existence.
The second line of the stanza, "The hope that is born and the hope that is gone," further emphasizes the power of poetry. It suggests that poetry can inspire hope and provide comfort in times of despair. The use of the word "hope" adds a sense of optimism to the poem, suggesting that poetry can provide a sense of hope in life.
The third line of the stanza, "The cry in the night, the song in the day," is a repetition of the third line of the second stanza. The repetition creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the contrast between the pain and joy that poetry can express.
The final line of the stanza, "Poetry is lions, it is life and death," is a repetition of the first line. The repetition emphasizes the importance of poetry and reinforces the metaphor of poetry as life and death.
In conclusion, Stevie Smith's "Poetry Sunt Leones" is a powerful masterpiece that explores the themes of power, emotion, and human existence. The use of metaphors, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity that evokes strong emotions and ideas. The poem suggests that poetry is a powerful force that can nourish the soul, inspire hope, and provide a sense of balance and harmony in life. It is a roaring masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.
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