Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "Saxon (A.D. 449)" is a vivid exploration of the early Anglo-Saxon experience, reflecting on the primal life and worldview of a Saxon settler in England during the 5th century. Through this poetic meditation, Borges delves into themes of survival, destiny, the elemental forces of nature, and the foundational aspects of language and culture that would eventually shape English civilization.

The poem begins with a striking image: "By now it had gone down, the sickle moon." This reference to the waning moon sets a scene of transition, both in the literal sense of night turning into day and in the metaphorical sense of one era or world giving way to another. The "blond and blunt" Saxon man, described as he tentatively steps onto the sand of the dune at dawn, is depicted in a state of raw, unadorned existence. The early morning setting, where "God has not yet brought to light the colors," suggests a world still in the process of being formed, both in the physical and cultural sense.

Borges captures the harsh realities of the Saxon man's life, emphasizing his reliance on "his oars and nets, his plough, his sword, his shield." These tools represent the fundamental aspects of his existence—fishing, farming, and fighting—necessary for survival in a world where life is precarious and uncertain. The Saxon man’s hand, "hard in battle," is also capable of carving "a stubborn rune," indicating the importance of language, memory, and legacy in his world. This act of carving runes connects the man to his ancestors and the broader cultural tradition of the Saxons.

The poem then describes the man's origin: "He came from a land of tidal swamp and marsh / To one eroded by relentless seas." This evokes the harsh, mutable landscapes that shaped the Saxon experience, emphasizing the transitory and often hostile environment in which he lived. Borges introduces the concept of destiny, which "towered above him like the arch / Of the day," suggesting that the Saxon man is subject to larger, uncontrollable forces, whether they be the physical forces of nature or the spiritual and mystical forces that govern his life.

The mention of "Woden or Thunor" (Odin or Thor) as his household deities emphasizes the man's connection to his pagan roots. These gods, adorned "with rags and iron nails," are worshipped with offerings that include "animals—horses, dogs, fowls—and slaves." This depiction of religious practice underscores the Saxon's fatalistic view of life, where sacrifices are made not out of love or reverence but out of a grim acknowledgment of the power these gods hold over his fate.

Borges explores the linguistic and cultural aspects of the Saxon's world, noting that to "give a voice to memories or hymns / He coined laborious names and metaphors." This act of naming and metaphor-making is essential to the Saxon identity, as language becomes a means of grappling with and understanding the world. War, for example, is described as "a coming face to face of men, / A crossing of swords, a colloquy of spears," highlighting the straightforward and brutal reality of conflict in the Saxon world.

The poem also touches on the mythic and mystical elements of the Saxon's existence: "His world was one of wonders on the seas, / Of kings and wolves and an impervious Fate." Borges evokes the image of a world filled with awe and danger, where fate is an unyielding force, and "fearful spells" lurk in the dark forests. These elements emphasize the Saxon's sense of living in a world where the boundaries between the natural and supernatural are fluid and where every moment is charged with significance.

Borges then reflects on the language brought by the Saxons, a language that "in time would flower / In Shakespeare’s harmonies." The poem acknowledges the simplicity and rawness of the Saxon's vocabulary—"night, day, / Water, fire, words for metals and colors, / Hunger, thirst, bitterness, sleep, fighting, / Death, and other grave concerns of men"—yet it also recognizes the profound impact this language would have on the development of English culture and literature.

The poem concludes with a vision of legacy: "On broad meadows and in tangled woodland / The sons he bore brought England into being." Borges suggests that the Saxon's descendants, through their survival and adaptation, played a crucial role in the formation of England as a nation. The final lines celebrate the enduring influence of the Saxon people and their culture, which, despite its harshness and simplicity, laid the foundation for one of the most significant linguistic and cultural traditions in the world.

"Saxon (A.D. 449)" is a powerful reflection on the early Anglo-Saxon experience, emphasizing the themes of survival, destiny, and the foundational aspects of language and culture. Through his exploration of the Saxon's world, Borges offers a meditation on the elemental forces that shape human existence and the enduring legacy of those who lived in a time of great uncertainty and change. The poem invites readers to consider the deep connections between language, culture, and identity, and to reflect on the ways in which the past continues to influence the present.

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