Poem Analysis - Sestina Altaforte

Initial Impression and Tone

Ezra Pound's "Sestina: Altaforte" is a vivid and intense poem that captures the fervor of a medieval warrior. The poem is spoken by Bertran de Born, a historical figure known for his love of war and strife. The tone is aggressive and defiant, with a strong preference for conflict over peace. The mood shifts from exhilaration during battle to contempt for those who prefer peace, creating a dynamic and engaging read.

Historical and Authorial Context

Ezra Pound, an American expatriate poet, was deeply influenced by medieval literature and culture. Bertran de Born, the speaker in the poem, was a Provençal troubadour known for his martial poetry. Dante Alighieri famously placed de Born in the eighth circle of Hell in his Divine Comedy for his role in inciting conflict. This historical context adds depth to the poem, highlighting the speaker's unrepentant embrace of strife.

Themes of War and Conflict

The central theme of the poem is the glorification of war and conflict. The speaker, Bertran de Born, expresses a deep-seated love for the chaos and violence of battle. This is evident in lines such as "I have no life save when the swords clash" and "Better one hour's stour than a year's peace." The repetition of the word "rejoicing" in relation to war underscores the speaker's exhilaration and joy in conflict. The poem's form, a sestina, with its intricate repetition of end words, mirrors the relentless and cyclical nature of war.

Themes of Peace and Contempt

Contrasting with the theme of war is the speaker's contempt for peace. Peace is described as "foul" and associated with weakness and decadence. The speaker scorns those who prefer peace, referring to them as "sluts" and "whoreson dogs." This contempt is not just for the state of peace but also for those who advocate for it, highlighting the speaker's unyielding commitment to conflict. The repeated phrase "May God damn for ever all who cry 'Peace!'" emphasizes this contempt and the speaker's defiance against any form of pacifism.

Themes of Nature and Divine Intervention

The poem also explores the relationship between nature and divine intervention in the context of war. The speaker finds joy in the tempests and storms that "kill the earth's foul peace," seeing them as a reflection of his own desires. The "lightnings from black heav'n" and the "fierce thunders" are personified as allies in his cause, roaring their "music" of war. This divine intervention is further emphasized in the final lines, where the speaker invokes Hell to "blot black for always the thought 'Peace!'" suggesting a cosmic alignment with his martial fervor.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The color crimson is a recurring symbol in the poem, often associated with blood and violence. It appears in phrases like "blood-crimson" and "the blood's crimson," linking the color to the speaker's love for war. The "swords clash" is another vivid image that repeats throughout the poem, symbolizing the speaker's desire for conflict. The "Leopard," a device of Richard the Lionheart, represents the speaker's allegiance to a martial cause and his admiration for powerful, warlike figures. The "music" of war, described as "fast music" and "the music of the swords," is a unique interpretation of the sounds of battle, suggesting that the speaker finds a rhythmic and harmonious beauty in the chaos of war.

Conclusion

Ezra Pound's "Sestina: Altaforte" is a powerful exploration of the martial spirit, glorifying war and conflict while condemning peace. Through vivid imagery and a defiant tone, the poem captures the unyielding fervor of its speaker, Bertran de Born. The recurring symbols of crimson, clashing swords, and divine intervention in the form of storms and thunder emphasize the speaker's alignment with the forces of chaos and strife. The poem's significance lies in its unapologetic celebration of war, offering a stark contrast to more conventional views of peace and tranquility. It invites readers to consider the allure of conflict and the complex emotions it can evoke, even as it challenges our moral and ethical perspectives.