Poem Analysis - Camma

Initial Impression and Tone

Oscar Wilde's poem Camma presents a vivid and introspective exploration of desire and longing. The tone shifts from a contemplative and almost reverential admiration to a more passionate and urgent plea. The speaker's initial fascination with classical beauty and mythology gives way to a yearning for a more tangible and immediate connection. This shift in mood reflects the speaker's internal struggle between idealized longing and a desire for real, albeit dramatic, engagement.

Themes of Desire and Longing

The poem delves deeply into the theme of desire, particularly the tension between idealized, unattainable beauty and the yearning for a more tangible, albeit dramatic, connection. The speaker's initial admiration for the classical beauty seen on a Grecian urn represents an idealized form of desire, one that is safe and removed from reality. This is evident in the lines As one who poring on a Grecian urn Scans the fair shapes some Attic hand hath made, God with slim goddess, goodly man with maid, And for their beauty's sake is loth to turn And face the obvious day. The urn serves as a symbol of this idealized beauty, which the speaker is reluctant to leave behind.

The theme of longing is further developed through the speaker's desire for a more immediate and passionate connection. The shift in the poem's tone reflects this longing, as the speaker moves from admiration to a more urgent plea. This is seen in the lines And yet methinks Id rather see thee play That serpent of old Nile, whose witchery Made Emperors drunken, come, great Egypt, shake Our stage with all thy mimic pageants! Nay, I am grown sick of unreal passions, make The world thine Actium, me thine Antony! Here, the speaker expresses a desire for a more dramatic and real engagement, using the historical figures of Cleopatra and Antony as symbols of this passion.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich with vivid imagery and symbolism that contribute to its themes. The Grecian urn is a central symbol, representing the idealized beauty and classical mythology that the speaker initially admires. The urn serves as a metaphor for the speaker's longing for something beautiful and timeless, yet unattainable. This is seen in the lines When in the midmost shrine of Artemis I see thee standing, antique-limbed, and stern? Here, the urn is associated with the goddess Artemis, further emphasizing its connection to classical beauty and mythology.

The serpent of old Nile is another powerful symbol in the poem, representing the speaker's desire for a more tangible and dramatic connection. The serpent is associated with Cleopatra, who used it to enchant and control powerful men. This imagery suggests a desire for a more intense and passionate engagement, one that is more real and immediate than the idealized beauty of the urn. The speaker's plea to make the world thine Actium, me thine Antony! further emphasizes this desire, using the historical figures of Cleopatra and Antony as symbols of passionate, albeit tragic, love.

Conclusion

Camma is a poem that explores the tension between idealized longing and the desire for a more tangible, albeit dramatic, connection. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, Wilde delves into the themes of desire and longing, using the Grecian urn and the serpent of old Nile as central symbols. The poem's shift in tone reflects the speaker's internal struggle, ultimately highlighting the complexity of human desire and the yearning for something more than just idealized beauty. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of these themes, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition and the enduring power of longing.