Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Geoffrey Hill’s "Whether the Virtues Are Emotions," the poet explores the complex interplay between emotions and virtues, delving into themes of inner exile, carnal desuetude, and mystic equity. Hill’s intricate language and evocative imagery provide a profound reflection on the nature of virtue and its relationship with human emotions.

The poem begins with a sense of immediacy and transformation: "Overnight - overnight - the inmost self made outcast." This line suggests a sudden and profound change, where the core of one's being is rendered an outsider, alienated from its previous state. The repetition of "overnight" emphasizes the abruptness and the intensity of this transformation.

Hill continues by describing the "plighting annihilations unfinished business of eros." Here, he touches on the themes of love and destruction, indicating that the deep and often chaotic emotions associated with eros, or passionate love, are left unresolved. This notion of "unfinished business" implies that these powerful emotions continue to influence and disrupt the self.

The phrase "the common numen of waking reverie" introduces a sense of the divine or spiritual presence within the ordinary experience of waking up. Hill suggests that in moments of reverie, there is an expectation of absolution or release from past burdens. However, this hoped-for absolution is contrasted with the reality of the new day, bringing "forsakenness" and the introduction of a "new bride," symbolizing new responsibilities or relationships that come with their own challenges and emotional complexities.

The term "carnal desuetude" refers to a state of physical disuse or neglect, suggesting a distance from bodily desires or experiences. This desuetude is paired with "her mystic equity," implying a balance or fairness that is achieved through mystical or spiritual means. The juxtaposition of carnal and mystic elements highlights the tension between physical and spiritual aspects of human existence.

Hill's imagery of "natures ripped hardihood" evokes a sense of resilience and strength that has been violently tested. The "radiant windrows where a storm emptied its creels" paints a vivid picture of a landscape transformed by a storm, with rows of cut hay (windrows) gleaming in the aftermath. This imagery suggests a sense of renewal and clarity following turmoil.

The final image of the "thrusting ailanthus that is called the Tree of Heaven" serves as a powerful symbol. The ailanthus, a resilient and often invasive tree, is commonly known as the Tree of Heaven. This duality reflects the poem's exploration of virtues and emotions: the ailanthus thrives in harsh conditions, much like virtues that emerge and endure through emotional and existential storms.

"Whether the Virtues Are Emotions" is a meditation on the relationship between virtue and emotion. Hill’s dense and rich language conveys the turbulent and transformative nature of human emotions and their impact on the self. The poem suggests that virtues may indeed be deeply intertwined with emotions, emerging through trials and upheavals, and ultimately shaping the human experience in profound and enduring ways. Hill’s exploration encourages readers to consider how virtues are not separate from emotions but are often born from and shaped by them, reflecting the complex and dynamic nature of the human soul.

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