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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Boetian" by Robert Frost is a compact and insightful poem that explores the nature of wisdom and its origins. Through a play on classical references and a rejection of rigid structures, Frost delves into the idea that true wisdom can arise from unexpected sources and need not be confined to the traditionally revered centers of learning. The poem opens with the speaker expressing a fondness for "toying" with the Platonic notion that wisdom is not solely the domain of Athens, particularly the intellectual hub of Athens Attic, known for its philosophical and academic heritage. By mentioning "Athens Attic," Frost alludes to the epicenter of classical Greek philosophy, where figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle developed their influential ideas. Frost then contrasts this with the possibility that wisdom might also come from "Laonic, even Boeotian" sources. "Laonic" likely refers to Sparta, known for its military discipline and practical approach to life, as opposed to Athens' intellectualism. "Boeotian" refers to the region of Boeotia, which was often stereotypically regarded by Athenians as a land of less cultured, more rustic people. By suggesting that wisdom could emerge from Boeotia, Frost challenges the notion that intellectual insight is exclusive to sophisticated or elite environments. The poem concludes with the speaker's personal preference: "At least I will not have it systematic." This line underscores a rejection of overly rigid, systematic approaches to wisdom and knowledge. Frost seems to advocate for a more organic, perhaps eclectic understanding of wisdom, one that values insights from diverse and unconventional sources rather than adhering strictly to established doctrines or methods. In this brief yet thought-provoking poem, Frost invites readers to reconsider their assumptions about the origins of wisdom and to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives. The poem's playful tone and classical references serve to both engage and challenge the reader, encouraging an open-minded approach to learning and understanding.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHARLES DODGSON'S SONG by RANDALL JARRELL ROMAN SKETCHBOOK: READING/RUSSELL SAYS, 'THERE IS NO RHINOCEROS IN by ROBERT CREELEY THE CLOUDS OF MAGELLAN (APHORISMS OF MR. CANON ASPIRIN) by NORMAN DUBIE THREE SONNETS by RICHARD WILBUR OLD ARISTIPPUS by ANSELM HOLLO PUT IN A QUAVER, HERE AND THERE by ANSELM HOLLO FIN-DE-SIECLE BLUES by CAROLYN KIZER I BROOD ABOUT SOME CONCEPTS, FOR EXAMPLE by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER ON A VOLUME OF SCHOLASTIC PHILOSOPHY by GEORGE SANTAYANA |
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