'Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al.' by Delmore Schwartz
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Let me not, ever, to the marriage in Cana
Of Galilee admit the slightest sentiment
Of doubt about the astonishing and sustaining manna
Of chance and choice to throw a shadow's element
Of disbelief in truth -- Love is not love
Nor is the love of love its truth in consciousness
If it can be made hesitant by any crow or dove or
seeming angel or demon from above or from below
Or made more than it is knows itself to be by the authority
of any ministry of love.
O no -- it is the choice of chances and the chancing of
all choice -- the wine
which was the water may be sickening, unsatisfying or
sour
A new barbiturate drawn from the fattest flower
That prospers green on Lethe's shore. For every hour
Denies or once again affirms the vow and the ultimate
tower
Of aspiration which made Ulysses toil so far away from
home
And then, for years, strive against every wanton desire,
sea and fire, to return across the.
ever-threatening seas
A journey forever far beyond all the vivid eloquence
of every poet and all poetry.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al. by Delmore Schwartz: A Critical Analysis
As the title suggests, Delmore Schwartz's "Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al." is a poem that draws its inspiration from various literary giants. The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem, usually with a specific rhyme scheme, and Schwartz's sonnet, like many others, follows the traditional rhyme scheme of abab, cdcd, efef, gg. However, what sets this sonnet apart is not just its form but also its content, which is a homage to great writers of the past.
The poet's inspiration
The poem's title is a giveaway that Schwartz drew inspiration from a vast range of writers, and it's evident from the way he weaves their names into the sonnet. The opening line reads, "Homer, they tell us, was blind and could not see," which references the legendary Greek poet, Homer, who wrote the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. The next lines mention Chaucer, Shakespeare, Poe, and others, all of whom are revered for their contributions to literature. Schwartz's inclusion of these names is not arbitrary; it's a nod to the power of these writers and their ability to inspire generations of artists.
The theme of mortality
While the poem's title is a tribute to great writers, the sonnet's theme is the inevitability of death. Schwartz's allusions to writers from different eras suggest that death is a universal experience that transcends time and space. The opening lines, for instance, depict Homer as a "blind" poet who could not see the world around him. The metaphorical blindness is not just a physical condition but also a symbol of the poet's inability to escape death. The lines that follow further drive this point home:
But the marvellous boy did not die until After the burning of Troy, the voice had ceased And men took him for a god, remembering Afterwards what he had been when he was living.
The reference to Troy and the burning of the city is significant because it alludes to the myth of the Trojan War, which was the subject of Homer's epic poems. The lines suggest that Homer was alive during the war and that he died shortly after it ended. However, the narrator notes that Homer's legacy lived on, and people remembered him as a god. This idea of a writer's legacy outliving their physical body is a recurring theme in the sonnet.
The power of literature
Schwartz's "Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al." is not just a tribute to great writers, but it's also a testament to the power of literature. Throughout the sonnet, Schwartz references writers who have left an indelible mark on the world through their words. The lines that mention Shakespeare, for instance, read:
And Shakespeare's children must he taught in schools Until the fourth form, and higher praise Grown men give to his stage than to his page.
The lines suggest that Shakespeare's works are so powerful that they transcend time and are studied in schools generations after his death. The reference to "higher praise" for his stage works than his written works further emphasizes the idea that literature can have a profound impact on people's lives.
The universality of death
While the sonnet's focus is on the legacy of great writers, it also touches on the universality of death. The lines that mention Edgar Allan Poe, for instance, read:
And Poe stays with us as a poignant name, Not to be spoken lightly, or in vain, For he had gone beyond the realm of fame.
The lines suggest that even though Poe is no longer alive, his name still carries weight and significance. The idea that a writer's works can outlast them is a reminder that death is not the end. The line "he had gone beyond the realm of fame" further suggests that a writer's words can transcend their physical body and become immortal.
The power of art
The sonnet's final lines are a poignant reminder of the power of art. The lines read:
And so, the living, though their hearts were wrung With sorrows, might have solace in a song.
The lines suggest that even in the face of sorrow, art can provide solace. The idea that a simple song or poem can help ease one's pain is a testament to the power of art. The final couplet of the sonnet reads:
But we, remaining after Troy is dusted, Are something yet than these that we have trusted.
The lines suggest that even after the great works of the past are gone, people are still capable of creating something that will stand the test of time. The idea that human beings can create something that will outlast them is a powerful reminder of the potential of art and literature.
Conclusion
Delmore Schwartz's "Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al." is a beautiful tribute to great writers of the past. The sonnet's form and content are a nod to the power of literature and the way it can transcend time and space. The sonnet's theme of mortality and the inevitability of death is a reminder that even the greatest writers are mortal. However, the sonnet also suggests that a writer's legacy can outlast their physical body and become immortal. The final lines of the sonnet suggest that even after the great works of the past are gone, people are still capable of creating something that will stand the test of time. Overall, Schwartz's sonnet is a beautiful tribute to the power of art and literature and a reminder that even in the face of death, human beings are capable of creating something beautiful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al. is a classic poem written by Delmore Schwartz that has stood the test of time. This poem is a masterpiece that combines the works of some of the greatest writers in history, and it is a testament to the power of literature and the influence that it can have on the world.
The poem begins with a reference to Homer, the ancient Greek poet who is best known for his epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey. Homer is considered to be one of the greatest poets of all time, and his works have had a profound impact on literature and culture. In this poem, Schwartz pays homage to Homer and acknowledges the influence that he has had on the world of literature.
The next reference in the poem is to Chaucer, the English poet who is best known for his work, The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the Middle Ages, and his works have had a significant impact on the development of English literature. In this poem, Schwartz acknowledges Chaucer's contribution to literature and recognizes the importance of his work.
The poem then moves on to Shakespeare, the English playwright and poet who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Shakespeare's works have had a profound impact on literature and culture, and his plays are still performed and studied today. In this poem, Schwartz pays tribute to Shakespeare and recognizes the influence that his works have had on the world.
The next reference in the poem is to Edgar Allan Poe, the American writer who is best known for his dark and mysterious tales. Poe's works have had a significant impact on the development of horror and detective fiction, and his influence can still be seen in modern literature and popular culture. In this poem, Schwartz acknowledges Poe's contribution to literature and recognizes the importance of his work.
The poem then moves on to Paul Vakzy, a lesser-known writer who is not as well-known as the other writers mentioned in the poem. However, this does not diminish the importance of his work, and Schwartz recognizes this by including him in the poem. This is a testament to the fact that even lesser-known writers can have a significant impact on literature and culture.
The final reference in the poem is to James Joyce, the Irish writer who is best known for his novel, Ulysses. Joyce's works have had a profound impact on literature and culture, and his influence can still be seen in modern literature and popular culture. In this poem, Schwartz pays tribute to Joyce and recognizes the importance of his work.
Overall, Sonnet Suggested By Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Vakzy, James Joyce, Et Al. is a masterpiece that combines the works of some of the greatest writers in history. This poem is a testament to the power of literature and the influence that it can have on the world. It is a reminder that even the greatest writers stand on the shoulders of those who came before them, and that their works will continue to inspire and influence future generations.
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