Poem Analysis - Homage To Sextus Propertius 2

Initial Impressions and Tone

Ezra Pound's "Homage to Sextus Propertius - 2" is a rich, complex poem that blends classical allusions with a reflective, almost conversational tone. The poem begins with a sense of grandeur and mythological significance, but shifts to a more introspective and somewhat defiant mood as it progresses. The speaker engages in a dialogue with mythological figures, revealing a tension between personal ambition and the expectations placed upon him. The tone oscillates between reverence for classical heroes and a more personal, almost rebellious, stance.

Historical and Authorial Context

Ezra Pound, an American expatriate poet, was deeply influenced by classical literature and the modernist movement. His work often reflects a fascination with ancient cultures and a desire to revive classical forms in contemporary poetry. Pound's "Homage to Sextus Propertius" is part of a series that pays tribute to the Roman elegist Sextus Propertius, showcasing Pound's interest in translating and adapting classical texts. This poem, in particular, explores the tension between personal artistic vision and the demands of tradition.

Themes: Artistic Ambition and Personal Vision

The poem delves into the theme of artistic ambition, contrasting the speaker's desire for personal expression with the expectations of classical heroism. The speaker's initial reverence for classical heroes and mythological figures is challenged by the gods themselves, who suggest that his true calling lies in more intimate, personal forms of art. This tension is evident in the speaker's dialogue with Phoebus, who advises him to focus on "soft fields" and "pamphlets thrown into a chair where a girl waits alone for her lover." This contrast highlights the struggle between grand, public achievements and more private, personal forms of art.

Themes: The Role of the Poet

The role of the poet is another central theme, explored through the speaker's interactions with mythological figures. The speaker is initially portrayed as a recumbent figure on Mount Helicon, a place associated with the Muses and poetic inspiration. However, his role is questioned by Phoebus, who suggests that the speaker's true calling is not in grand, heroic poetry but in more intimate, personal forms of expression. This theme is further developed through the speaker's encounter with Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry, who criticizes his lack of martial and public themes. The poem thus explores the tension between the poet's personal vision and the expectations placed upon him by tradition and society.

Themes: The Power of Myth and Tradition

The power of myth and tradition is a recurring theme, evident in the poem's rich allusions to classical literature and mythology. The speaker's initial reverence for classical heroes and mythological figures is challenged by the gods themselves, who suggest that his true calling lies in more intimate, personal forms of art. This tension is evident in the speaker's dialogue with Phoebus, who advises him to focus on "soft fields" and "pamphlets thrown into a chair where a girl waits alone for her lover." This contrast highlights the struggle between grand, public achievements and more private, personal forms of art. The poem thus explores the tension between the poet's personal vision and the expectations placed upon him by tradition and society.

Recurring Symbols and Images

The poem is rich in vivid imagery and recurring symbols that contribute to its themes. The "lyre" and the "water dripping from Bellerophon's horse" symbolize poetic inspiration and the struggle between personal vision and traditional expectations. The "earthly image of Silenus" and the "small birds of the Cytharean mother" represent the speaker's more intimate, personal forms of art. The "nine girls" and the "ivy-bound thyrsos" symbolize the speaker's new cohort and setting, emphasizing his shift from grand, heroic poetry to more personal forms of expression. The "face offended" of Calliope and the "backwash of Philetas the Coan" highlight the tension between the speaker's personal vision and the expectations placed upon him by tradition and society.

Conclusion

Ezra Pound's "Homage to Sextus Propertius - 2" is a complex exploration of artistic ambition, the role of the poet, and the power of myth and tradition. Through rich allusions and vivid imagery, the poem delves into the tension between personal vision and the expectations placed upon the poet by tradition and society. The speaker's dialogue with mythological figures highlights this struggle, ultimately suggesting that the poet's true calling lies in more intimate, personal forms of art. The poem thus offers a profound reflection on the nature of artistic expression and the role of the poet in society.