Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Justice’s poem “Last Days of Prospero” provides a reflective and poignant depiction of the titular character from Shakespeare's *The Tempest* in his twilight years. Through a rich tapestry of imagery and introspective language, Justice explores themes of memory, isolation, and the acceptance of decline.

The poem begins with a straightforward declaration: “The aging magician retired to his island.” This opening line immediately situates Prospero in his later years, choosing solitude over the hustle and bustle of his past life. The island, once vibrant, is now described as “not so green as he remembered,” suggesting the inevitable fading of memory and perhaps the island itself. The sea, once a source of “nuptial music,” now lacks its former tenderness, reflecting Prospero's altered perception and the passage of time.

Despite these changes, Prospero remains unperturbed: “He did not mind. He would not mind.” This repetition underscores his resignation and acceptance of the island’s diminished state. He is content as long as his isolation remains undisturbed—no repaired causeway to the mainland, no tourist steamers, and no reopened casino. The isolation he craves is depicted as a refuge from the external world, preserving the sanctity of his retreat.

The imagery of “sea birds come to roost / On the roofs of the thousand ruined cabanas” and the “strayed whale offshore” enhances the sense of desolation and quiet grandeur. These survivors and visitors to the island add to its atmosphere of decay and persistent natural beauty, emphasizing Prospero's desire for solitude and the unspoiled remnants of his domain.

The cave, described as “amply provisioned against the days / To come,” suggests Prospero’s preparedness for the future despite his detachment. His cloak, “neat on its hanger,” and the “painted constellations, though faded / With damp a little,” symbolize his lingering connection to his past powers and knowledge. The constellations, still glittering and seemingly moving, represent the enduring presence of his magical influence, albeit diminished.

The line “His books? He knew where they were drowned” poignantly recalls Prospero’s deliberate abandonment of his magical texts at the end of *The Tempest*. This act marked the end of his active practice of magic, yet his knowledge and potential for power remain undiminished in his memory. The stanza reflecting on his past actions—“What tempests he had caused, what lightnings / Loosed in the rigging of the world!”—is a moment of nostalgic reverie, acknowledging his significant impact on the world.

The poem’s contemplation on repetition and the possibility of re-enacting the past is captured in the lines: “If now it was all to do again, / Nothing was lacking to his purpose.” This suggests that Prospero retains the capability and resources to recreate his past deeds, needing only a slight modification in his incantations: “Some change in the wording of the charm, / Some slight reshuffling of negative / And verb, perhaps: that should suffice.” This highlights his enduring mastery and wisdom, even as he chooses not to exercise them.

The closing lines depict Prospero pacing the shore, engaged in self-debate or conversing with the indifferent waves: “Debating, as old men will, with himself / Or with the waves, and still the waves / Came back at him always with the same / Low chucklings or grand, indifferent sighs.” This imagery encapsulates his solitude and the timeless, unchanging nature of the sea, reflecting his introspective contemplation and acceptance of his place within the natural world.

“Last Days of Prospero” by Donald Justice is a contemplative and richly descriptive meditation on the later years of Prospero. Through its evocative imagery and introspective tone, the poem explores themes of memory, solitude, and the passage of time, providing a poignant and thoughtful continuation of Shakespeare’s character.

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