Poem Analysis - Marvoil

Initial Impression and Tone

Ezra Pound's "Marvoil" presents a narrative voice of a humble clerk who finds solace in poetry and love amidst the turmoil of medieval politics. The poem begins with a conversational and somewhat melancholic tone, shifting to a more passionate and longing mood as the speaker's desires and frustrations come to the forefront. The speaker's voice is intimate and confessional, addressing an inanimate object, a hole in the wall, as if it were a confidant. This shift in tone reflects the speaker's inner turmoil and his longing for the Countess of Beziers.

Historical and Authorial Context

Ezra Pound, an American poet, was deeply influenced by medieval literature and the troubadour tradition. This poem reflects his interest in the historical and cultural context of medieval Provence, where the troubadour tradition flourished. The poem's setting and characters, such as the Vicomte of Beziers and Alfonso of Aragon, are rooted in this historical period. The speaker's role as a poet and his unrequited love for the Countess of Beziers echo the themes and motifs of troubadour poetry, which often celebrated courtly love and the struggles of the poet-lovers.

Themes of Love and Longing

The central theme of "Marvoil" is the speaker's intense and unrequited love for the Countess of Beziers. This love is expressed through vivid imagery and passionate language. The speaker's desire is so profound that he personifies a hole in the wall, asking it to be his jongleur (a medieval minstrel) and to sing of his love. The repetition of the phrase "O hole in the wall here" emphasizes the speaker's isolation and his need for a confidant. The speaker's longing is so intense that he imagines the hole in the wall as a vessel for his words, much like his heart is a vessel for his love.

Themes of Isolation and Exile

The speaker's isolation is a significant theme in the poem. He is a poor clerk, "cooped on a stool," and later finds himself in an "inn of Avignon," far from the Countess. This physical isolation mirrors his emotional state. The speaker's exile from his beloved and his homeland is a source of great sorrow. The image of the "lean Aragonese cursing the seneschal" contrasts with the speaker's own longing, highlighting his sense of displacement and alienation. The speaker's desire to return to Beziers, where his "desire and my dream have preceded me," underscores his longing for a place where he feels he belongs.

Themes of Mortality and Legacy

The speaker's reflections on his legacy and the fleeting nature of life are evident in his words to the hole in the wall. He hopes that when he is dead, someone will find his words and know more about him than his canzoni (songs) reveal. This desire for a lasting legacy is a common theme in poetry, reflecting the human need for recognition and remembrance. The speaker's will, which leaves his verses to the Countess, further emphasizes his desire for a lasting connection with her, even after his death. The image of the parchment filling the hole in the wall symbolizes the speaker's hope that his words will outlive him and serve as a testament to his love.

Symbolism and Imagery

The hole in the wall is a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents the speaker's isolation and his need for a confidant. The hole is also a vessel for his words, much like his heart is a vessel for his love. The wind that blows through the hole and carries his words is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the transient nature of human connections. The Countess of Beziers is a symbol of the speaker's desire and longing. Her image fills his heart and mind, and he hopes that his words will fill the hole in the wall, just as her love fills his heart. The repetition of the phrase "O hole in the wall here" emphasizes the speaker's isolation and his need for a confidant. The image of the parchment filling the hole in the wall symbolizes the speaker's hope that his words will outlive him and serve as a testament to his love.

Conclusion

"Marvoil" is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and the human desire for connection. Through vivid imagery and passionate language, Ezra Pound captures the speaker's intense emotions and his struggle to find a place where he belongs. The poem's themes of isolation, exile, and mortality are universal, resonating with readers across time and culture. The speaker's use of the hole in the wall as a confidant and a vessel for his words underscores his need for a lasting connection with the Countess and his desire for a legacy that will outlive him. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of the human condition and the enduring power of love and longing.