Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Supreme Consummation" by Charles Marie Rene Leconte de Lisle presents a stark view of the human condition, situating it within an eternal cycle of suffering and loss. This poem stands in stark contrast to uplifting or hopeful perspectives on life, suggesting that the ultimate redemption for humanity lies not in life, but in death. This outlook might appear nihilistic, but the poem also carries a philosophical gravity, inviting us to confront the deeper aspects of existence and the transience of human life.

The poem begins with the assertion that the world is "old, nigh old as hell," a statement that establishes an unbridgeable gulf between human ambitions and the eternal passage of time. This notion is further emphasized by the lines, "Since first man wept, since first desire o'ercame / With fire more fierce and bitterer than hell's flame, / The tale of time is grown too long to tell." In other words, human suffering and longing have been recurring motifs throughout history, rendering the narrative of human existence too extensive and painful to recount.

In an even bleaker turn, the poem asserts, "'Tis life is ill and dying that is well," posing death as the only true release from the inherent suffering of life. Whether it is the ocean claiming a life, or a death in battle signaled by "stroke of sword or the bursting shell," the poem suggests that death brings a form of liberation. This viewpoint reframes traditional notions of life's value, implying that our most profound peace or accomplishment may only come at the end of it.

Despite its gloom, the poem isn't entirely devoid of admiration for the human spirit. The speaker's affection for the "heart whom earth so craves" and the "burning might" suggests a certain awe for human resilience and the soul's capacity for serenity even when faced with impending doom. There is a form of transcendence hinted at here, wherein the departing soul "grows in strength serene."

The conclusion of the poem calls for a sort of cleansing through the "splendid blood," asking for a purification that will allow the soul to pass "with spirit clean" despite the "vulgar rabble" that may shout in the background. In this sense, death becomes not just a release from suffering but also a form of sanctification, a "supreme consummation" that brings with it the possibility of a dignified exit from a world laden with torment and sorrow.

"The Supreme Consummation" tackles life's greatest uncertainties, challenging us to ponder our own perspectives on life, suffering, and the eventuality of death. Leconte de Lisle crafts an unsettling yet thought-provoking dialogue between the individual and the cosmic, inviting us to question the commonly held notions that usually comfort us in our limited understanding of existence.

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