|
Poet: W. H. Auden
Poem: Musée des Beaux Arts
Poem of the Day on:
Jul 7 2004
Comment 7 of 7, added on April 21st, 2009 at 9:36 PM.
In the poem Musee des Beaux Arts, W. H. Auden reflects on the idea that personal suffering is subjective, it has little impact on the outside world. The structure of the poem goes from a general principle and develops into an extended analogy. The poem’s purpose, through apathy, is to take away the romance in tragedy and suffering and comment on it as if it where an everyday occurrence. It is enriched and effective because of its theme, its use of rhetoric, and its historical context.
The poem begins by referring to the “Old Masters” of the renaissance period, establishing initial credibility to the theme. It then goes on to present the “never wrong” view of suffering. This view is presented through various juxtapositions, metaphors, antithesis, litotes and analogies.
In context, the poem was written as World War 2 was about to begin, the Jews in Europe where suffering under Hitler’s lengthening shadow and no one seemed to notice. During this time, the U. S. was practicing it’s isolationist policy, European nations that weren’t directly affected remained quiet and life went on as it always had. The poem might have been the fruit of Auden’s application of Breughel’s “Icarus”(¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬which was located in Musée des Beaux Arts) to the international situation and the beginning of the holocaust.
Auden’s poem does not contain any specific rhyme or meter schemes; this is done with the intention of developing ideas more freely and yet presenting them with a lyrical touch. The poem uses simple words and a casual tone to convey its meaning: life goes on. The theme is introduced and developed in the first thirteen lines, and then Auden presents an extended analogy. He refers to a painting in which The Greek myth of Icarus falls out of the sky and into the ocean because his wings melted away. This situation is portrayed as common, and is not looked upon as romantic. The ploughman remains apathetic, the sun still shines, the ship sails on, and everything continues as it was.
It is not clear whether the poem is meant to be a critique or just to develop an idea but Auden does successfully transmit his theme into the reader‘s conscience and make it roll. It is also not clear whether Auden incorporated a Religious, mainly Christian, aspect to the poem (miraculous birth, dreadful martyrdom), but the poem does contain a divine aspect to it.
In a short but effective poem, Auden communicates a strong belief. This is done through strong rhetoric and concrete examples. The poem brings to view the pointlessness of the suffering “under the sun” and the casual aspect of what we give romantic value to and define as tragedy.
Sam from Brazil
Comment 6 of 7, added on January 1st, 2009 at 10:38 AM.
i think that the form of the poem represents life as Auden sees it. as there is no fixed rhyme scheme or metre it suggests that life is not fixed or predictable. Even without any structure and Auden keeping the poem "free verse" there is still a lot of control in the poem, else we wouldn't enjoy it so much. this control can also be symbolic of life. we have the control to change and manipulate but we chose not to. we would rather let life tick away at its own pace with ups and down and not intervene to make a constant better way of living for all. throughout the poem is all shapes and forms he humourously criticises the ways of humanity, with a cool air and realistic approach.
Worst of all, we are not surprised at the attitude of the ploughman etc when they do not help icarus. WHY?? Because even today we are all guilty of selfish acts and have probably done the same in our own lifetime to other so called Icarus's.
Love the poem though. lol
crystalle from United Kingdom
Comment 5 of 7, added on May 30th, 2006 at 5:56 PM.
i thought that this poem showed how people are thought to be "greedy" in the way that they would save themself before saving someone else. Auden understands this but he seems to dislike how this quality of human nature is covered up because it is thought to be an unpleasant characteristic. He praises artists for painting humans truthfully and showing that "selfish" side. People are not godlike; we worry for ourselves first then others and this is something that has no need to be covered up.
Eliza from United States
Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Musée des Beaux Arts, has received 7 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by W. H. Auden with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!
|
In the poem Musee des Beaux Arts, W. H. Auden reflects on the idea that personal suffering is subjective, it has little impact on the outside world. The structure of the poem goes from a general principle and develops into an extended analogy. The poem’s purpose, through apathy, is to take away the romance in tragedy and suffering and comment on it as if it where an everyday occurrence. It is enriched and effective because of its theme, its use of rhetoric, and its historical context.
The poem begins by referring to the “Old Masters” of the renaissance period, establishing initial credibility to the theme. It then goes on to present the “never wrong” view of suffering. This view is presented through various juxtapositions, metaphors, antithesis, litotes and analogies.
In context, the poem was written as World War 2 was about to begin, the Jews in Europe where suffering under Hitler’s lengthening shadow and no one seemed to notice. During this time, the U. S. was practicing it’s isolationist policy, European nations that weren’t directly affected remained quiet and life went on as it always had. The poem might have been the fruit of Auden’s application of Breughel’s “Icarus”(¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬which was located in Musée des Beaux Arts) to the international situation and the beginning of the holocaust.
Auden’s poem does not contain any specific rhyme or meter schemes; this is done with the intention of developing ideas more freely and yet presenting them with a lyrical touch. The poem uses simple words and a casual tone to convey its meaning: life goes on. The theme is introduced and developed in the first thirteen lines, and then Auden presents an extended analogy. He refers to a painting in which The Greek myth of Icarus falls out of the sky and into the ocean because his wings melted away. This situation is portrayed as common, and is not looked upon as romantic. The ploughman remains apathetic, the sun still shines, the ship sails on, and everything continues as it was.
It is not clear whether the poem is meant to be a critique or just to develop an idea but Auden does successfully transmit his theme into the reader‘s conscience and make it roll. It is also not clear whether Auden incorporated a Religious, mainly Christian, aspect to the poem (miraculous birth, dreadful martyrdom), but the poem does contain a divine aspect to it.
In a short but effective poem, Auden communicates a strong belief. This is done through strong rhetoric and concrete examples. The poem brings to view the pointlessness of the suffering “under the sun” and the casual aspect of what we give romantic value to and define as tragedy.
Sam from Brazil