'Canto XIII' by Ezra Pound
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Kung walked
by the dynastic temple
and into the cedar grove,
and then out by the lower river,
And with him Khieu Tchi
and Tian the low speaking
And "we are unknown," said Kung,
"You will take up charioteering?
"Then you will become known,
"Or perhaps I should take up charioterring, or archery?
"Or the practice of public speaking?"
And Tseu-lou said, "I would put the defences in order,"
And Khieu said, "If I were lord of a province
"I would put it in better order than this is."
And Tchi said, "I would prefer a small mountain temple,
"With order in the observances,
with a suitable performance of the ritual,"
And Tian said, with his hand on the strings of his lute
The low sounds continuing
after his hand left the strings,
And the sound went up like smoke, under the leaves,
And he looked after the sound:
"The old swimming hole,
"And the boys flopping off the planks,
"Or sitting in the underbrush playing mandolins."
And Kung smiled upon all of them equally.
And Thseng-sie desired to know:
"Which had answered correctly?"
And Kung said, "They have all answered correctly,
"That is to say, each in his nature."
And Kung raised his cane against Yuan Jang,
Yuan Jang being his elder,
For Yuan Jang sat by the roadside pretending to
be receiving wisdom.
And Kung said
"You old fool, come out of it,
"Get up and do something useful."
And Kung said
"Respect a child's faculties
"From the moment it inhales the clear air,
"But a man of fifty who knows nothng
Is worthy of no respect."
And "When the prince has gathered about him
"All the savants and artists, his riches will be fully employed."
And Kung said, and wrote on the bo leaves:
If a man have not order within him
He can not spread order about him;
And if a man have not order within him
His family will not act with due order;
And if the prince have not order within him
He can not put order in his dominions.
And Kung gave the words "order"
and "brotherly deference"
And said nothing of the "life after death."
And he said
"Anyone can run to excesses,
"It is easy to shoot past the mark,
"It is hard to stand firm in the middle."
And they said: If a man commit murder
Should his father protect him, and hide him?
And Kung said:
He should hide him.
And Kung gave his daughter to Kong-Tchang
Although Kong-Tchang was in prison.
And he gave his niece to Nan-Young
although Nan-Young was out of office.
And Kung said "Wan ruled with moderation,
"In his day the State was well kept,
"And even I can remember
"A day when the historians left blanks in their writings,
"I mean, for things they didn't know,
"But that time seems to be passing.
A day when the historians left blanks in their writings,
But that time seems to be passing."
And Kung said, "Without character you will
"be unable to play on that instrument
"Or to execute the music fit for the Odes.
"The blossoms of the apricot
"blow from the east to the west,
"And I have tried to keep them from falling."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Canto XIII by Ezra Pound: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
If you're a lover of modernist poetry, then you must have come across one of the most remarkable works of the 20th century, Ezra Pound's Canto XIII. This masterpiece of modernist poetry is a part of Pound's larger work, The Cantos, which is considered one of the most ambitious and challenging poetic projects ever undertaken by any modernist poet.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into Canto XIII and explore its themes, structure, style, and language. We will also examine the historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts that shaped Pound's poetic vision and made him one of the most influential poets of his time.
So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to embark on a journey through the labyrinthine world of Ezra Pound's Canto XIII.
Themes
Canto XIII is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores a wide range of themes, including history, mythology, politics, religion, and culture. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the cyclical nature of human history and the eternal struggle between civilization and barbarism.
The poem opens with a reference to the Greek myth of the Minotaur, a creature that was half-man and half-bull, and was said to dwell in a labyrinth. Pound uses this myth as a metaphor for the chaotic and violent nature of human history, where civilization is constantly threatened by the dark forces of barbarism.
The theme of civilization and barbarism is further developed in the poem through the references to various historical events and figures, such as the fall of Rome, the rise of the Holy Roman Empire, and the reign of Charlemagne. Pound portrays these events as a series of cycles, where civilization rises and falls, and barbarism takes over.
Another significant theme in the poem is the idea of redemption and salvation. Pound uses religious imagery and references to suggest that salvation is possible even in a world full of chaos and violence. He portrays the figure of Christ as a symbol of hope and redemption, and suggests that the only way to overcome the cycles of history is through spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
Structure
Canto XIII is structured as a series of loosely connected fragments, each of which contains a mix of historical, mythical, and philosophical references. Pound uses a variety of poetic techniques, such as allusion, metaphor, and symbolism, to create a dense and multi-layered web of meaning.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which contains a different set of themes and images. The first section focuses on the myth of the Minotaur and the theme of civilization and barbarism. The second section explores the historical figure of Charlemagne and the idea of redemption. The third section is more philosophical in nature and deals with the idea of time and the cyclical nature of history.
Despite its fragmented structure, Canto XIII has a strong sense of unity and coherence. Pound uses repetition and variation to create a sense of musicality and rhythm, and to link the various fragments together.
Style and Language
One of the most distinctive features of Canto XIII is Pound's idiosyncratic style and language. Pound was a master of collage and bricolage, and he used a wide range of sources and influences to create his unique poetic vision.
The poem is written in free verse, with a mixture of short and long lines, and a variety of rhythms and meters. Pound uses a range of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a sense of musicality and beauty.
The language of the poem is highly allusive and complex. Pound uses a wide range of sources, such as classical mythology, medieval history, and eastern philosophy, to create a rich and multi-layered texture of meaning. The poem is also full of neologisms, archaic words, and obscure references, which can make it difficult for the reader to fully understand and appreciate.
Context
To fully appreciate the significance of Canto XIII, it is important to understand the historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts that shaped Pound's poetic vision.
Pound was deeply influenced by the modernist movement in literature, which sought to break away from traditional forms and conventions, and to create a new kind of art that reflected the complexity and fragmentation of the modern world.
Pound was also deeply interested in history, culture, and politics. He was a vocal critic of capitalism, imperialism, and what he saw as the decadence of western civilization. He believed that art and culture had a vital role to play in shaping the future of humanity.
Finally, Pound was deeply influenced by eastern philosophy, particularly the teachings of Confucius and Taoism. He believed that western civilization had lost touch with the spiritual and ethical values that were at the heart of these traditions, and that a return to these values was necessary for the survival and flourishing of humanity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canto XIII is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores a wide range of themes and ideas with great depth and complexity. Pound's idiosyncratic style and language, combined with his vast knowledge and erudition, create a rich and multi-layered texture of meaning that rewards careful and attentive reading.
The poem's themes of civilization and barbarism, redemption and salvation, and the cyclical nature of history, resonate deeply with our contemporary world, and remind us of the enduring power of poetry to illuminate and enrich our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's Canto XIII is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of the poet's vision of history, culture, and civilization. This poem is a part of Pound's larger work, The Cantos, which is a collection of 120 poems that he wrote over a period of several decades. Canto XIII is a complex and multi-layered poem that requires careful analysis and interpretation to fully appreciate its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Winter is icumen in," which is a reference to an old English song that celebrates the arrival of winter. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change. Pound uses the image of winter to symbolize the passing of time and the decay of civilization.
The first stanza of the poem describes the ruins of an ancient city, which Pound identifies as Babylon. He describes the city as "a heap of broken images," which is a powerful metaphor for the fragmented and incomplete nature of history. Pound suggests that our understanding of the past is always incomplete and that we can never fully grasp the complexity of the civilizations that came before us.
In the second stanza, Pound shifts his focus to the present and describes the world as it is today. He uses the image of a "crowd of twisted things" to describe the chaos and confusion of modern life. Pound suggests that we are living in a time of great upheaval and that our civilization is in a state of decline.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. Pound describes a "goddess in a chariot" who is "drawn by lions." This image is a reference to the ancient goddess Ishtar, who was worshipped in Babylon. Pound suggests that Ishtar represents the power of nature and the cyclical nature of time. The lions that draw her chariot symbolize the wild and untamed forces of nature that are beyond human control.
In the fourth stanza, Pound returns to the theme of decay and describes the ruins of another ancient city, this time Rome. He describes the city as a "ghost of the Caesars," which is a powerful image that suggests the transience of power and the inevitability of decline. Pound suggests that even the mightiest empires will eventually fall and that nothing lasts forever.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous. Pound describes a "young man carbuncular" who is walking in a park. This image is a powerful critique of modern society and the shallow values that it promotes. The young man is described as "self-absorbed" and "egotistical," which are qualities that Pound sees as emblematic of modernity.
In the final stanza of the poem, Pound returns to the image of Ishtar and suggests that she represents the power of nature to renew and regenerate. He describes her as "the beauty of the world," which is a powerful image that suggests the possibility of redemption and renewal. Pound suggests that even in the midst of decay and decline, there is always the possibility of renewal and regeneration.
In conclusion, Ezra Pound's Canto XIII is a powerful meditation on the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change. Pound uses a variety of images and metaphors to explore the themes of decay, decline, and renewal. The poem is a powerful critique of modern society and the shallow values that it promotes. Pound suggests that even in the midst of decay and decline, there is always the possibility of renewal and regeneration. Canto XIII is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Best Scifi Games - Highest Rated Scifi Games & Top Ranking Scifi Games: Find the best Scifi games of all timeOps Book: Operations Books: Gitops, mlops, llmops, devops
XAI: Explainable AI: Explainable AI for use cases in medical, insurance and auditing. Explain large language model reasoning and deep generative neural networks
Cloud Governance - GCP Cloud Covernance Frameworks & Cloud Governance Software: Best practice and tooling around Cloud Governance
Tree Learn: Learning path guides for entry into the tech industry. Flowchart on what to learn next in machine learning, software engineering
Recommended Similar Analysis
Youth And Beauty by William Carlos Williams analysisKitten And Falling Leaves, The by William Wordsworth analysis
Sweeney Among The Nightingales by T.S. Eliot analysis
Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Sonnet 71: No longer mourn for me when I am dead by William Shakespeare analysis
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou analysis
Break, Break, Break by Alfred Lord Tennyson analysis
Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen analysis
The Angel Of The Odd- An Extravaganza by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Endymion (excerpts) by John Keats analysis