Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson’s "Of Mathilde" explores the concept of love as a profound and transformative force, grounded in discipline, courage, and authenticity. The poem rejects superficial or transient notions of affection and instead delves into the essential qualities of love—those that demand effort, persistence, and integrity. Through the figure of Mathilde, Olson contemplates the deeper, often challenging dimensions of love, revealing it as an act of commitment and confrontation with the self.

The opening lines establish the ethereal yet potent nature of "fragrance," which Olson uses as a metaphor for the intangible essence of true love. Fragrance, described as something that "cannot be put on," represents authenticity and depth, qualities that cannot be artificially fabricated. It is a "raiment spun of what looks like nothing," suggesting that love’s true substance lies in what is unseen, immaterial, yet undeniably present and powerful. This fragrance, Olson asserts, emanates from love when it is genuine and unforced, when it arises from obedience—a submission not to external dictates but to an inner, moral compass.

Olson challenges conventional portrayals of love as something idealized or fantastical, asserting that "love is not dance / Is not dream." Dance and dream are often associated with grace, ease, and imagination, but Olson emphasizes that love is far more complex and demanding. It is "more wrestling"—a struggle, a grappling with reality and the self. This comparison to wrestling underscores the effort and endurance required in love, as well as its dynamic, often combative nature.

The poem critiques the pursuit of sensation and repetition in relationships, dismissing it as "sensationalism." For Olson, the repetition of experience diminishes its meaning, reducing it to mere indulgence that lacks the depth necessary to produce the "fragrance" of love. Genuine love, he suggests, does not rely on the superficial thrills of novelty but is sustained by a steadfast courage that confronts the core of the self.

Mathilde, the central figure of the poem, embodies this authentic love. She is portrayed as someone who "stays in there, in where the self cannot be pleased, where a trouble is." This description highlights her resilience and her capacity to endure the discomforts and challenges of love. Mathilde’s strength lies in her lack of sentimentality or vanity; she does not seek to manipulate love into something it is not. Instead, she embraces its demands and wears "her unseen work"—the quiet, unseen labor of love—with grace.

Olson connects this understanding of love to the idea of "obedience," framing it not as submission to another person but as a disciplined commitment to something greater than oneself. Obedience requires courage, a willingness to confront and endure difficulties without retreating into ease or complacency. This notion ties back to the French pronunciation of "courage," which Olson highlights as integral to love’s essence. Love, in this sense, is not about self-gratification but about perseverance in the face of adversity.

The poem also invokes the myth of Arachne, a figure from Greek mythology who was transformed into a spider after challenging the goddess Athena. Arachne’s story serves as a counterpoint to Mathilde’s. Where Arachne’s hubris led to her downfall, Mathilde’s humility and lack of vanity allow her to embody true love. She "without deformation wears her unseen work," suggesting that her love is untainted by pride or artifice, and that it manifests in actions rather than appearances.

Structurally, the poem’s free verse and meditative tone mirror the complexity of its subject. Olson’s language is deliberate yet expansive, moving fluidly between philosophical reflection and personal observation. The repetition of certain ideas—such as love’s connection to obedience and fragrance—creates a sense of cyclical contemplation, mirroring the ongoing effort and introspection that love demands.

Ultimately, "Of Mathilde" is a meditation on the nature of love as a courageous, disciplined act of authenticity. It rejects sentimentality and superficiality, focusing instead on the enduring qualities that make love meaningful. Through Mathilde, Olson presents a model of love that is grounded in strength, humility, and perseverance—qualities that allow it to transcend fleeting desires and become something lasting and profound. In doing so, the poem invites readers to reconsider their own understanding of love and to embrace its challenges as an integral part of its beauty.

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