Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Complaint of the Fair Armourers" by François Villon is a powerful poetic dialogue between the speaker and his own heart, an exchange that delves into the complexities of morality, destiny, and the human condition. The poem begins with a haunting question: "Who is this I hear?" The response: "Lo, this is I, thine heart," immediately engages the reader in an internal struggle between reason and emotion, as the heart and its human counterpart negotiate their conflicting desires and motivations.

The heart accuses the human of skulking "like a dog shivering," chastising him for his moral failings and perceived weaknesses. The human responds defiantly, arguing for his freedom to err and suggesting that he will repent "when [he] grow[s] ripe in wit." This interplay reveals the human's internal battle between hedonism and moral rectitude. He admits to knowing "black and white, when milk is specked with flies," yet stubbornly clings to his vices, almost as a form of rebellion against the limitations imposed by his heart's moral judgments.

Villon masterfully weaves in references to astrology, particularly Saturn, believed to be a malefic planet in medieval astrology. The human attributes his ill fortune and flaws to the influence of the planets, specifically Saturn, which he claims "packed my wallet up for me." But the heart counters with wisdom from "the wise King," asserting that a wise man has "all power upon the stars" and cannot be harmed by any planet. This counter-argument introduces an interesting perspective on free will versus destiny. According to the heart, despite the apparent determinism set by the stars, man possesses the agency to navigate his own life.

The discourse between the human and his heart reaches a crucial point when they discuss repentance and the opportunity for redemption. The heart advises to "turn penitent and pray" and to "read always-What?-Grave words and good to say." It is a call for transformation and moral betterment, an urging to abandon the folly of youth and adopt a more virtuous lifestyle. Interestingly, the human agrees, signaling a hopeful, albeit ambiguous, note that they will not "abide... till there come an evil day."

Villon's poem thus operates on multiple levels. It is both a self-examination and a broader reflection on human folly and the potential for redemption. It interrogates the balance between destiny and free will, suggesting that despite our inherent or circumstantial flaws, there is room for moral agency and self-improvement. In doing so, it echoes sentiments that resonate across the centuries, encapsulating struggles that are as pertinent today as they were in the 15th century. Villon's dialogue between the heart and its human host serves as a timeless reminder of the complexities of human nature and the perpetual tension between our baser instincts and higher aspirations.

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