Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Hollander's "Aristotle to Phyllis" is a rich, layered poem that combines historical context, mythological allusions, and philosophical musings to explore themes of knowledge, desire, and the conflict between rationality and sensuality. The poem reimagines the legend of Aristotle and Phyllis, a narrative often depicted in medieval and Renaissance art, where Aristotle, despite his wisdom and age, is seduced by Phyllis and ends up carrying her on his back as a form of humiliation.

The poem opens with Aristotle addressing Phyllis, reflecting on his life dedicated to reason and learning. He speaks of his "trusted chair" and the "dull treatises on Reason and Sensuality" that have occupied much of his time. This juxtaposition sets the stage for the central conflict of the poem: the struggle between intellectual pursuits and the allure of physical desire.

Aristotle acknowledges the limitations of his scholarly endeavors: "learning very little about / What can still happen on a summer morning." This admission points to a yearning for experiences outside the realm of pure intellect, experiences that his rational studies have not prepared him for. The "faint sea-breezes" symbolize these new, sensuous experiences that have a profound impact on him, evoking a deep, almost primal longing.

Phyllis's presence disrupts Aristotle's ordered world. As she walks past his window, her beauty and vitality contrast sharply with his "oaken" desk and the musty air of his study. The poem explores the idea of beauty as a disruptive force: "If all beauty is scale and order, / Well then, the old man is unbeautiful / In outraging his age." Here, Aristotle grapples with the realization that his attraction to Phyllis defies the rational order he has spent his life upholding.

The poem then delves into the philosophical implications of this encounter. Aristotle reflects on the nature of beauty, the limitations of reason, and the power of desire. He describes the allure of Phyllis with vivid, sensual imagery: "a piece / Of tumble, bubbly breasts and trollopy / Lurch." This crude yet compelling depiction underscores the tension between his intellectual ideals and his physical desires.

Aristotle's internal conflict is further explored through his musings on the nature of knowledge and history: "We're no historians; what's past has faded, died." He recognizes that his past achievements and the philosophical texts he has devoted himself to are, in some ways, inadequate in addressing the immediacy of human experience and desire. This acknowledgment leads him to a moment of surrender, where he invites Phyllis to lead him into the garden, symbolizing a departure from the realm of reason into the realm of the senses.

The poem's climax occurs as Aristotle imagines the act of carrying Phyllis on his back: "Giddyap, good Doctor! ... the master / Of those who know, old staggerer." This imagery highlights the absurdity and vulnerability inherent in his situation. Despite his wisdom, he is reduced to a beast of burden, symbolizing the overpowering nature of desire and the limitations of intellectual control.

The closing lines of the poem reflect Aristotle's acceptance of this duality: "Our knowledge quickens, ripping at the garment / That cloaks the truth that will be." He acknowledges that true understanding comes from embracing both reason and desire, intellect and sensuality. The final exhortation to "get on with it" signifies a willingness to engage fully with life, in all its complexity and contradiction.

"Aristotle to Phyllis" is a profound meditation on the human condition, exploring the interplay between mind and body, knowledge and desire. Hollander's use of historical and mythological references, combined with rich, evocative language, creates a powerful and thought-provoking narrative that resonates with timeless themes of human experience. Through the figure of Aristotle, the poem invites readers to consider the limitations of pure reason and the necessity of embracing the full spectrum of human emotion and experience.

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