'Canto 13' by Ezra Pound
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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 13 by Ezra Pound: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
Ezra Pound is often considered one of the most innovative and influential American poets of the 20th century. His epic poem, "The Cantos," is his most ambitious work, consisting of 120 sections that span over 800 pages. Among these sections, Canto 13 stands out as a significant contribution to modernist poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, style, and significance of Canto 13, and analyze its impact on the literary world.
Overview of Canto 13
Canto 13 is a complex section of "The Cantos" that draws on multiple sources, including Greek myth, medieval literature, and contemporary politics. At its core, the poem is about the fall of an empire and the rise of a new order. The narrator addresses the tyrant, Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg, who is attempting to reunite Italy under his rule. Through a series of allusions and images, Pound critiques the emperor's ambition and the corruption of his court.
The tone of the poem is ironic, sarcastic, and satirical. Pound uses a variety of techniques, such as puns, alliteration, and juxtaposition, to create a dense and challenging poem that rewards close reading. The imagery is vivid and often violent, with references to war, torture, and death. At the same time, the poem is full of beauty and lyricism, with passages that celebrate nature, love, and poetry.
Analysis of Canto 13
Theme of Decay and Renewal
One of the central themes of Canto 13 is the cycle of decay and renewal. Pound portrays the decline of the Roman Empire, with all its corruption and decadence, and contrasts it with the promise of a new order. The narrator sees the ruins of ancient Rome and imagines a future in which a new empire will rise from the ashes. He envisions a world in which art, culture, and wisdom will once again flourish. This theme reflects Pound's interest in the cyclical nature of history and his belief in the possibility of cultural renewal.
Critique of Empire and Tyranny
Another important theme of Canto 13 is the critique of empire and tyranny. Pound sees the emperor, Henry VII, as a tyrant who is trying to impose his will on the Italian people. The narrator mocks the emperor's arrogance and ambition, and portrays him as a puppet of corrupt advisors. The poem reflects Pound's own political views, which were rooted in his opposition to imperialism and his belief in the need for democratic governance.
Use of Mythic and Historical Allusions
Pound's use of mythic and historical allusions is a defining feature of Canto 13. The poem draws on a wide range of sources, from Greek mythology to medieval literature to contemporary politics. Pound uses these allusions to create a rich and complex web of meaning that rewards careful reading. For example, the figure of Circe, the sorceress who turns men into pigs, is used to critique the emperor's advisors who have led him astray. The image of the "hollow men," taken from T.S. Eliot's poem of the same name, is used to symbolize the corruption of the emperor's court.
Style and Technique
Pound's style in Canto 13 is highly experimental and challenging. The poem is written in free verse and is characterized by its dense and allusive language. Pound uses a variety of techniques, such as puns, alliteration, and juxtaposition, to create a highly compressed and complex poem. The effect is both exhilarating and overwhelming, as the reader is drawn into a world of multiple meanings and associations.
One of the most striking features of Canto 13 is its use of imagery. Pound uses vivid and often violent imagery to convey his message. He describes scenes of war and torture in graphic detail, and uses images of decay and ruin to symbolize the decline of the Roman Empire. At the same time, the poem is full of beauty and lyricism, with passages that celebrate nature, love, and poetry. Pound's use of imagery is both powerful and evocative, and is one of the key elements that make Canto 13 such a memorable poem.
Significance of Canto 13
Canto 13 is a significant contribution to modernist poetry and a key work in Pound's oeuvre. The poem's experimental style and use of allusion and imagery influenced a generation of writers, including T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and William Carlos Williams. Pound's critique of empire and tyranny was also influential, particularly in the context of World War II and the rise of fascism. The poem's themes of decay and renewal, and its celebration of nature, love, and poetry, remain relevant today and continue to inspire readers and writers around the world.
Conclusion
Canto 13 is a complex and challenging work that rewards close reading and careful analysis. Pound's use of allusion, imagery, and language creates a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that reflects his interest in the cyclical nature of history, his critique of empire and tyranny, and his celebration of nature, love, and poetry. The poem's influence on modernist poetry and its continued relevance today demonstrate its enduring significance as a masterpiece of 20th-century literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's Canto 13 is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for decades. This poem is part of Pound's larger work, The Cantos, which is a collection of poems that he wrote over the course of his life. Canto 13 is a particularly interesting poem because it is filled with complex imagery and symbolism that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and symbols in Canto 13 and discuss what they might mean.
The first thing that strikes the reader about Canto 13 is its opening lines: "Winter is icumen in, / Lhude sing Goddamm." These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, which is one of darkness and despair. The use of the word "Goddamm" is particularly striking, as it suggests a sense of anger and frustration. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of war, death, and destruction.
One of the most prominent themes in Canto 13 is the idea of history repeating itself. Pound uses a variety of historical references throughout the poem, including references to the Trojan War, the fall of Rome, and the Crusades. These references suggest that the events of the past are destined to repeat themselves, and that humanity is doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Another important theme in Canto 13 is the idea of power and its corrupting influence. Pound uses the image of the eagle throughout the poem to represent power and authority. The eagle is a symbol of strength and dominance, but it is also a symbol of violence and aggression. Pound suggests that those who hold power are often corrupted by it, and that their actions can lead to destruction and chaos.
One of the most striking images in Canto 13 is the image of the "great stone face" that appears towards the end of the poem. This image is a reference to the Old Man of the Mountain, a legendary figure who was said to have controlled a group of assassins in the Middle East during the Crusades. Pound uses this image to suggest that those who hold power are often hidden from view, and that their actions can have far-reaching consequences.
Throughout Canto 13, Pound uses a variety of symbols and images to create a sense of darkness and despair. The use of the eagle, the references to historical events, and the image of the great stone face all contribute to this sense of foreboding. However, there is also a sense of hope in the poem, as Pound suggests that humanity has the power to change its fate.
In conclusion, Canto 13 is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores a variety of themes and symbols. The poem is filled with images of war, death, and destruction, but it also suggests that humanity has the power to change its fate. Pound's use of historical references and powerful imagery creates a sense of darkness and despair, but there is also a sense of hope that runs throughout the poem. Overall, Canto 13 is a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to captivate readers today.
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