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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
1. Shakespeare Expected In the first section, Bell conjures an image of William Shakespeare as an "actual presence," humanizing the legendary figure with physical discomforts and challenges. The setting is a rehearsal where Shakespeare is awaited, amidst characters from his plays who are as real and anticipatory as the audience. The imagery of Hamlet and Ophelia preparing for their roles serves to blur the lines between the playwright's creations and his own existence, suggesting the inseparability of Shakespeare from his work. The difficulty of "trying to get in the mood in this weather" metaphorically speaks to the challenges of artistic creation, particularly under less-than-ideal circumstances. Bell portrays the day as an oppressive presence, a physical embodiment of the burdens and expectations that accompany greatness. The perception of Shakespeare's dramas as either "the debris of an exhausted court" or "the consummate valediction of their lively personalities" reflects the divergent interpretations and appropriations of his work, highlighting the complexity of his legacy. Shakespeare's arrival, described as "a bard in sheep's clothing," and his transition "out of his time and into the future" at the stage door, captures the transcendence of his art, which continues to resonate and find relevance across ages. The prophetic visions of Ophelia's and Hamlet's fates underscore the inevitability and foreknowledge embedded in Shakespeare's narratives, emphasizing the predetermined paths of his characters. 2. Shakespeare Dismissed The second section shifts dramatically in tone, presenting a disenchanted view of Shakespeare as a figure at the window, distanced from the reverence afforded to him in the first part. This Shakespeare is consumed by his identity and craft, unable to escape the trappings of his legacy. The imagery of "fallen on his sword" and "gangrenous covers of old books" suggests decay and the burdensome weight of his monumental status. Bell questions the reasons behind the enduring memorization and recitation of Shakespeare's sonnets, pointing to the personal appropriations and varied motivations of his audience. The depiction of Shakespeare as "an overgrown boy who cannot let go of a lump of coal" evokes a sense of unfulfilled potential and the tragic clinging to the remnants of a once-blazing fire of creativity. The final image of the poet making his way to the theater in the rain, adorned in a canvas coat, cap, and sunglasses, is one of isolation and determination amidst adversity. The shattered mirror thrown by the lead actress symbolizes the fractured perceptions and expectations surrounding Shakespeare, as well as the volatile relationship between the artist and his interpreters. "Sounds of the Resurrected Dead Man's Footsteps #52" is a meditation on the enduring power of Shakespeare's work, the humanization of the iconic figure, and the continuous struggle between the artist's intention and the audience's reception. Bell navigates the complexities of artistic legacy with sensitivity and insight, offering a layered reflection on the timeless challenges of creation, interpretation, and the quest for relevance in the ever-changing landscape of human culture.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CARGO MOVING TO GAZA (1988) by MARVIN BELL SCHOOLS OF LITTLE FISH by MARVIN BELL SPOT SIX DIFFERENCES by MARVIN BELL THE BODY BREAKING by MARVIN BELL TIE-DOWN OF A BONSAI by MARVIN BELL CHAMBER MUSIC: 2 by JAMES JOYCE HAPPY WIND by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES COMMEMORATIVE OF A NAVAL VICTORY by HERMAN MELVILLE |
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