Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Carlos Williams's poem "Con Brio" presents a spirited and provocative critique of caution and conservatism, challenging the reader to embrace bold action and reject the stifling fear of loss. The title, "Con Brio," an Italian musical term meaning "with vigor" or "with spirit," sets the tone for a poem that exudes energy and defiance.

The opening line, "Miserly, is the best description of that poor fool," sets a sharp, accusatory tone, directing the speaker’s disdain toward those who interpret Lancelot—a legendary figure associated with passion and bravery—as "a morose fellow." Williams immediately establishes a tension between boldness and timidity, suggesting that a misinterpretation of Lancelot’s story stems from a "sick historical sight." This phrase critiques those who reframe acts of courage and passion as regretful or foolish, reducing heroic deeds to objects of derision.

Lancelot, in Arthurian legend, represents an archetype of chivalric valor and romantic intensity, particularly in his affair with Guinevere. For the speaker, to see Lancelot’s actions as anything other than bold and spirited is a misunderstanding of his essence. The poem defends the knight’s willingness to act with decisiveness and passion, portraying such qualities as the antithesis of the "perdamnable miserliness" that the speaker decries.

Williams uses the figure of Lancelot to explore a broader cultural critique. The "miserly" mindset is not just an error in interpreting a single legend; it reflects a societal tendency to prioritize caution over action, hoarding security and comfort at the expense of vitality. This "slither," as Williams calls it, represents a moral and existential compromise that stifles creativity, passion, and bravery. The imagery of a noose—"cries about our necks how we shall have less and less"—evokes the suffocating effect of this fear-driven caution.

The poem’s rhetorical climax comes in its rejection of stagnation: "In the same vein we should have apple trees exempt / From bearing anything but pink blossoms all the year." Here, Williams mocks the idea of preserving beauty or innocence by halting the natural cycles of growth and fruition. The absurdity of expecting perpetual blossoms without the messiness of fruit underscores his argument that life’s richness comes from embracing its full range, including risks, mistakes, and consequences.

"How can we have less? Have we not the deed?" This question distills the poem’s core philosophy: the act itself—whether a bold decision, a risky venture, or a passionate expression—is its own justification. By invoking Lancelot’s legendary exploits, the speaker asserts that action defines life and legacy. The knight, mounted "on a good steed," embodies a fearless engagement with the world, trusting both divine will and his own courage.

The poem’s rhythm and diction reinforce its message of vigor and defiance. Williams employs a conversational tone punctuated by exclamations and rhetorical flourishes, mirroring the urgency and energy of the speaker’s argument. The language is direct and unsentimental, reflecting a disdain for passivity and an embrace of action.

"Con Brio" is both a celebration of daring and a condemnation of timidity. Williams aligns himself with the spirit of Lancelot, rejecting the fear of loss and the idolization of stability. The poem urges readers to live boldly, to act with "brio," and to find meaning and vitality in the pursuit of deeds, regardless of their outcomes. Through its impassioned defense of courage and its critique of caution, "Con Brio" remains a stirring call to embrace the full spectrum of human experience with spirit and conviction.

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