I. In the silence of a nearly finished day, Margherita straddles all her years of barbed wire fences and takes the painter to her bed. At night she lies with Raffaello —such beautiful things they do together— it’s impossible to resist these pleasures. II. I live outside a dazzling city in the crumbling quarter of dead poets but I can never go back to this dazzling city again. It is hard to breathe the air; the opera house is silent and the soprano is hoarse and gruff. She cowers behind the torn theatre curtains stealing hymns from failed poets who once betrayed the metre. In a ruined church
the stale aroma of burnt-out candles
hangs heavy on the altar.
The dying bishop coughs the lesson
from a stilted script and the cantor
chants a bootleg rhyme.
A few words about the poem…
The Melancholy Poems - The Allure of "la Fornarina"
Raphael's mistress, Margherita Luti, often referred to as "la Fornarina," serves as the focal point of this poem, which navigates themes of desire, decay, and spiritual desolation. In the first stanza, Margherita embodies the archetypal muse, leading the painter Raphael into a world of sensual pleasure that transcends time and consequence. The second stanza shifts into a more reflective tone, where the speaker grapples with the desolation of an unnamed city, suggesting a world in decline. The contrast between the pleasures of the first stanza and the decay of the second creates a poignant dichotomy, capturing the essence of the collection of melancholy poems that explore the dualities of existence.
The poem juxtaposes sensuality with spiritual desolation, creating a narrative where pleasure is inextricably linked with decay. In this way, it aligns with other poems in the collection, where the contemplation of fleeting joys often gives way to reflections on mortality and loss. The presence of religious imagery further deepens this contrast, with the ruined church and dying bishop serving as symbols of spiritual decline.
The imagery of the "stale aroma of burnt-out candles" and the "dying bishop" evokes a sense of lingering despair, reinforcing the poem's melancholic tone. Such elements often dwell on themes of loss and the inexorable passage of time. The poet’s use of decaying settings, from the crumbling quarter of dead poets to the ruined church, encapsulates the inevitable decline that accompanies both human desires and spiritual pursuits.
Analysis of Themes
The poem navigates through themes of desire, decay, and spiritual desolation. In the first stanza, the focus is on the theme of sensual pleasure, embodied by Margherita and her relationship with Raphael. This theme is juxtaposed against the decaying world of the second stanza, where the speaker reflects on a city that has fallen into ruin. The contrast between these two sections highlights the dualities of existence, where pleasure is fleeting, and decay is inevitable. The religious imagery introduces a theme of spiritual decline, as the once-vibrant city is now marked by silence and decay.
Analysis of the Verse
The poem is divided into two distinct parts each with its own tone and focus. The first part is intimate and personal, with short, direct lines that convey the immediacy of the sensual experience. The second part is more reflective, with longer lines that evoke a sense of lingering despair. The shift from the personal to the reflective mirrors the poem's thematic movement from pleasure to decay.
Analysis of the Symbolism
Symbolism plays a crucial role in the poem, with Margherita representing not just a muse, but also the transient nature of pleasure. The "crumbling quarter of dead poets" symbolizes the decline of artistic and intellectual pursuits, while the ruined church and dying bishop represent the decay of spiritual values. The "stale aroma of burnt-out candles" is a symbol of lost faith and the remnants of past rituals that have lost their meaning.
Main Poetic Imagery
The poem is rich with imagery that enhances its melancholic tone. Key images include the "barbed wire fences" that Margherita straddles, suggesting entrapment, the passage of time, and the abandonment of moral values. The "crumbling quarter of dead poets" evokes a sense of decay and lost glory, while the "stale aroma of burnt-out candles" conjures the remnants of a faith that has faded away. These images work together to create a vivid portrayal of a world in decline.
Religious Symbolism Impact
The religious symbolism in the poem underscores the theme of spiritual decay. The ruined church and the dying bishop are potent symbols of a faith that is no longer vibrant or life-affirming. The "stale aroma of burnt-out candles" suggests a ritualistic practice that has lost its vitality, while the "bootleg rhyme" chanted by the cantor indicates a corruption of spiritual traditions. This religious symbolism amplifies the poem's overall tone of melancholy, highlighting the decline of both worldly and spiritual pursuits.
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