Monday, February 10, 2014

What statement does "Constantly Risking Absurdity" make about poetry, truth, and beauty?

The poem makes a few explicit statements on these themes, and some implicit statements. The explicit statements are found in this section of the poem:



For he's the super realist
who must perforce perceive
taut truth
before the taking of each stance or step
in his supposed advance
toward that still higher perch
where Beauty stands and waits
with gravity
to start her death-defying leap




Here the primary explicit statements about truth is that it is linked to a realistic view of existence and that the poet can reach it. Regarding beauty, the poem explicitly states that it is accessible, and that perceiving truth is a necessary step to reaching it.



Moving to the implicit, the ongoing image of the poet as acrobat implies great risk, and that the poet's art elevates him (in the poem) to realms others can't reach. There's great difficulty, and beauty seems to consciously elude the poet, or at least, position her self at a distance.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the main function of the fool in "King Lear"? What is the secondly function?

The fool as a character is confusing, but part of this is the difference between the 1600s and today, as well as the difference in place. If...