Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Barbara Guest’s poem "Otranto" is a multi-layered, evocative exploration of memory, history, and the interplay between the real and the surreal. It draws the reader into a richly textured world that melds past and present, reality and imagination, through its intricate imagery and shifting perspectives.

The poem opens with a scene at sunset, where the observer stands atop a stair, watching castle mallets being wrenched from their sockets and falling into flame. This vivid, almost cinematic imagery sets the stage for a narrative that is both grounded in a specific place and time, and yet ethereal and dreamlike. The mention of “the castle mallets” and “stoneware” evokes a medieval setting, while the subsequent actions—such as the hanging of a sparrow and the appearance of a ring pierced by a lancet—suggest themes of violence, ritual, and transformation.

Guest’s language here is dense and symbolic. The “mirror of eggs served in a tumbler” and the “petrel-like eyelash” are striking images that blur the lines between the mundane and the mystical. The act of rubbing his eyes and counting them “wrinkled as grass” adds a layer of introspection, as if the observer is grappling with visions or memories that are difficult to fully grasp.

In the second section, the poem shifts focus to a ship and the sensations it evokes. The ship becomes a metaphor for exploration and discovery, both literal and metaphorical. The rhythm of the ship, the lustrous spell, and the groaning as it strikes, all convey a sense of movement and transition. The shared bitterness and the grey working like a vise suggest a collective experience of hardship or challenge, while the imagery of arrows and a vast cellar add to the sense of an unfolding drama.

The third section introduces a more exotic and sensual landscape. The "frankish hills and hummocks" and "voluptuous in the straits" with "turbanned held scarves" create a vivid picture of a foreign land, rich in cultural and natural beauty. The lily, pointing north and choosing the tide, serves as a powerful symbol of purity and direction amidst the complexity of the scene.

As the poem progresses, the fourth section returns to the castle, now described in more intimate detail. The high pierced window, dew on the furnaced bar, and the smoke from the tower create a palpable sense of place. The imagery of invaders craving cloth and spindle thieves adds historical depth, while the singing high notes and pebbles transforming into marks evoke the creative process and the passage of time.

The fifth section delves into the theme of transformation and the passage of time. The change of tide, the experimental wheel, and the fortune cards all suggest cycles of change and renewal. The mention of Troilus and the cowslip bending bring in literary and natural elements, connecting human experience with the broader world.

In the final section, the poem reaches a contemplative and almost mystical conclusion. The rugged footpath above the indifferent straits and the shelf where the castle lies evoke a sense of isolation and reflection. The traveler, naked and talking aloud, finds a lily and thinks of a sword, merging the natural and the martial, the delicate and the powerful. The imagery of dragging a carcass upon blunt stone and a felt hand lifting in spiritual seclusion brings the poem to a haunting and enigmatic close.

"Otranto" by Barbara Guest is a rich tapestry of images and themes, exploring the intersections of history, memory, and imagination. Through its layered narrative and evocative language, the poem invites readers to journey through a world where the past and present, the real and the surreal, continually intersect and transform.

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