Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Zukofsky’s "A -- 21 Rudens" is a sprawling and ambitious poem-play, interweaving elements of classical drama, musicality, and modernist experimentation. Dedicated to John Gassner and Morris Ephraim, the work draws heavily on Plautus’ Rudens, blending its narrative with Zukofsky’s idiosyncratic style to reflect on themes of justice, fate, human connection, and art’s role in negotiating life’s complexities. This dense and multilayered text challenges traditional structures while preserving the core spirit of its classical inspiration, resulting in a composition that is simultaneously a homage and a reinvention.

The poem opens with a prologue delivered by Arcturus, the guiding celestial presence in Plautus’ Rudens. Zukofsky’s Arcturus serves as both a narrator and a moral arbiter, bridging the cosmic and terrestrial realms. His address highlights divine justice and the interconnectedness of human actions and fate. Arcturus states, "Falling stars are no accident: / Gods’ umpire and men’s, Jupiter," reinforcing the idea that divine will influences earthly events. This invocation sets the stage for the unfolding drama, grounding it in a framework of moral reckoning and cosmic order.

The narrative itself mirrors the basic plot of Plautus’ play—a tale of shipwreck, reunion, and justice—but Zukofsky complicates it with fragmented dialogue, layered voices, and a modern sensibility. The characters include a cast of archetypal figures such as the cunning Leno (the pimp), virtuous Polly (the lost daughter), and the aged Dads (a figure reminiscent of the senex archetype). These characters engage in intricate verbal exchanges that blend humor, tension, and philosophical inquiry.

The language throughout the text oscillates between classical gravity and colloquial sharpness. Zukofsky employs puns, anachronisms, and wordplay, creating a texture that feels at once ancient and contemporary. For instance, the characters’ dialogue often slips into a modern vernacular, as seen in lines like “Scape sap! better mix loam!” or “Hercules leaves me. Deluded me.” This linguistic hybridity underscores the timelessness of the themes while situating the drama within a modern framework.

One of the poem’s most compelling aspects is its treatment of justice and redemption. The lost daughter’s rediscovery—signified by the identification of her baby charms—becomes a moment of both familial and cosmic resolution. Dads’ recognition of Polly as his daughter (“She’s my daughter, Greave”) ties together the strands of human suffering, divine intervention, and societal order. The motif of the wicker basket, containing both the girl’s past and her identity, serves as a tangible representation of fate’s hand in restoring balance.

The interplay of characters such as Greave, who disputes the ownership of the basket, and Leno, whose duplicitous nature drives much of the conflict, illustrates Zukofsky’s nuanced approach to morality. Greave’s declaration, “What if she’s a harlot—guessing wonder, ought she to have it?” reveals his skepticism and self-interest, contrasting sharply with Polly’s innocence and Dads’ earnest paternal love. This dynamic creates a tension that propels the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the complexity of justice and the human inclination toward greed and generosity.

Zukofsky also weaves in moments of metatextuality and self-awareness, particularly in the epilogues. These sections comment on the nature of performance and storytelling, blending the theatricality of Plautus with modernist introspection. The closing lines—“Sweet turn on your side”—suggest a gesture of reconciliation and closure, urging the audience to engage with the work’s emotional and intellectual resonances.

Structurally, "A -- 21 Rudens" defies conventional form, adopting a fragmented, collage-like approach that reflects Zukofsky’s modernist aesthetics. The text’s use of voice off passages, stage directions, and layered dialogues creates a sense of fluidity and multiplicity, mirroring the chaotic and interwoven nature of human experience. This experimental format demands active engagement from the reader, inviting them to piece together the narrative and derive their interpretations.

In its essence, "A -- 21 Rudens" is a meditation on the enduring relevance of classical themes in a modern context. Through its inventive language, complex characterizations, and structural innovations, Zukofsky reimagines Plautus’ tale as a rich tapestry of ideas and emotions. The poem-play not only honors its source material but also expands its scope, exploring the intersections of past and present, art and life, individual and collective. By doing so, Zukofsky affirms the power of literature to bridge temporal and cultural divides, offering a timeless reflection on the human condition.

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