Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Five Soliloquies Upon the Tomb of Uncebunke: 4," Lawrence Durrell crafts a soliloquy that delves into the complex interplay between legacy, mortality, and the rituals that surround death. The poem is steeped in a blend of classical references, dark humor, and a sense of existential resignation, exploring how one’s life and actions, however grand or trivial, ultimately converge in the quiet solitude of death.

The poem begins with the line, "My uncle has entered his soliloquy," signaling that Uncebunke is now fully immersed in his final, reflective discourse—a dialogue with death itself. The phrase "Under the black sigil the old white one" juxtaposes images of death (black sigil) and purity or age (the old white one), suggesting a convergence of opposing forces as Uncebunke confronts his own end. The image of kneeling "in the Lamb's blood," a reference to Christian symbolism, invokes the idea of sacrifice and redemption, while the phrase "Hymned by portentous crotchets" adds a musical dimension, as if Uncebunke's vigil is accompanied by ominous, solemn notes, underlining the gravity of his situation.

The "Puma of powder-blue," with its "stony lip" and "mineral eye," is a curious image, evoking a cold, unfeeling observer of the scene. This puma, though coveting the blood, does not dare to sip, symbolizing perhaps the restraint or reverence that even nature—or perhaps death—has for the ritualistic proceedings. The puma could also represent a guardian or sentinel, watching over the transition from life to death.

Durrell then shifts to a reflection on Uncebunke's life, addressing "my Romans" to imply a shared cultural or historical heritage. He describes Uncebunke as a man of action, "A breaker of skyline," who excelled even in old age ("took first prize / In the regatta for men past menopause"). The poem humorously and somewhat cynically recounts Uncebunke's adventures and achievements, from "Passing through the eye of the needle" to "Spat on Orion, left his shoes in a church." These acts, which range from the epic to the absurd, encapsulate a life lived with vigor and defiance, yet also suggest a certain futility or emptiness, as these grand gestures ultimately lead to the same end.

Uncebunke is depicted as someone who "Saw the last deranged crater, swallowed the Word," suggesting that he has confronted the chaotic, destructive forces of the world and engaged with spiritual or existential truths. However, his fate is sealed when he "Shot his bolt in the Gobi," and "Was left in the lurch," indicating a final, perhaps unsuccessful or abandoned, effort. The phrase "like a Roman, fell upon his sword" reinforces the classical allusion to stoic honor and suicide, evoking the image of a noble, though tragic, end.

The description of Uncebunke as "This prince, this bug, this human" encapsulates the paradox of his existence—he is both elevated and insignificant, a mixture of grandeur and humility. His final resting place is "under the great cat sleeping," suggesting a peaceful but guarded repose, shared with "the smiling paranoiac" and "the baby in the creeping-suit." This imagery suggests that in death, all distinctions collapse, and the complexities of life are reduced to a simple, shared state of being—an "amniotic balance" that evokes both the womb and the grave.

The concluding "Anthem" presents a reflection on the nature of existence and the inevitability of death through a series of "simple" mathematical and physical metaphors. The lines "Simple addition, simple subtraction. / One is left and the other is taken" underscore the binary, yet unpredictable, outcomes of life and death. The contrast between "Simple reflection, simple refraction" and the reminder that "never just ONE" suggests that even the most straightforward situations are subject to complexity and multiplicity. The chilling reference to "Ten little nigger boys: now there are none" alludes to the children's rhyme popularized in Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None, a reminder of the inescapable fate that befalls everyone.

Through this soliloquy, Durrell reflects on the absurdity and inevitability of death, highlighting the tension between life's grandeur and its ultimate simplicity. The poem is both a tribute to and a critique of Uncebunke’s life, acknowledging his achievements while also questioning their lasting significance. The soliloquy ultimately serves as a meditation on the human condition, where complex lives are reduced to simple equations, and where the rituals surrounding death provide both comfort and a reminder of the inescapable reality that awaits all.

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