Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Cities, Plains and People: 16," Lawrence Durrell presents a quiet, introspective meditation on the themes of temptation, reflection, and the ultimate acceptance of life's simplicity and mystery. The poem draws on the figure of Prospero from Shakespeare's The Tempest as a symbol of wisdom and the resolution that comes with the end of a journey. Through serene imagery and an understated tone, Durrell explores the tranquil end of a life filled with knowledge and experience.

The poem begins with a reference to "small temptations now," specifically "to slumber and to sleep." These lines suggest a peaceful resignation, as if the speaker, or perhaps Prospero, has moved beyond the grander temptations and struggles of life to embrace the simpler, more restful desires. The "lime-green, odourless / And pathless island waters" evoke an image of a serene, untouched landscape, where even the water is calm and lacks any overpowering scent. The idea of waters that are "crossing and uncrossing, partnerless" suggests a natural rhythm that is self-contained, without the need for external influences or interactions.

The setting is further described as being "By hills alone and quite incurious / Their pastures of reflection keep." This reinforces the sense of solitude and introspection. The hills, which are "incurious," do not seek to know more or to change; they simply exist, maintaining their "pastures of reflection." This suggests a state of being that is content with what is, rather than what might be—a place where thoughts and reflections are nurtured in a calm, undisturbed environment.

Durrell then brings in the figure of Prospero, who "remains the evergreen / Cell by the margin of the sea and land." The "evergreen" suggests immortality or enduring life, while the "cell" refers to both a small, simple dwelling and a monastic-like retreat, symbolizing Prospero's choice to live a life of contemplation. Positioned "by the margin of the sea and land," Prospero occupies a liminal space, a boundary between the known and the unknown, the solid ground of reality and the shifting tides of the subconscious.

The poem reflects on Prospero's experiences, noting that he "many cities, plains, and people saw," suggesting that he has lived a life rich with knowledge and encounters. However, despite this vast experience, Prospero chooses a quiet end: "Yet by his open door / In sunlight fell asleep / One summer with the Apple in his hand." The open door symbolizes openness to the world, yet it also signifies a moment of final repose, as Prospero, content with his understanding of life, falls asleep in the sunlight. The image of the Apple in his hand is particularly evocative—it could be a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing knowledge and the acceptance of human frailty and experience. However, unlike the biblical narrative of sin and exile, this Apple represents peace and fulfillment, as Prospero has come to terms with the world and his place in it.

In "Cities, Plains and People: 16," Durrell masterfully conveys the tranquility that comes with the acceptance of life's end. The poem suggests that true wisdom lies in knowing when to rest, when to let go of the complexities of life, and to embrace the simplicity and serenity of existence. Prospero, the wise and worldly figure, chooses to sleep in the sunlight, holding the Apple—a symbol of knowledge, experience, and ultimately, peace. The poem is a serene reflection on the culmination of a life's journey, where the "small temptations" of rest and quiet contemplation become the final, fulfilling desires.

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