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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
Comment 4 of 7, added on May 7th, 2006 at 1:45 PM.
I really liked the poem. I thought I would post some analysis for future students that may need help in some areas.
This poem is written in free verse, it is basically free of any structured rhyme or meter. The tone is nonchalant as if to mirror the way that people see disasters of others. In a nonchalant, uncaring way.
In the poem even dogs, and the executioner's horse does not even notice the crucifixion of christ. The aged want something great to happen, which is the birth of christ, but while this is happening children are just skating on a pond.
Hope this helps someone.
Christina from United States
Comment 3 of 7, added on September 29th, 2005 at 12:56 PM.
The museum from the title is the Musée des Beaux Arts in Brussels where the painting Icarus by Brueghel is exposed.
john
john van damme from Belgium
Comment 2 of 7, added on May 12th, 2005 at 1:46 AM.
This poem is some what deep even now a days because if you think about it things have not changed much i the way of people from the time of Icarus and Auden. The Old Masters really now what they are doing and we should all learn from them even though they are not living anymore.
Christy from United States
Comment 1 of 7, added on November 30th, 2004 at 9:10 PM.
The narrator here is obviously looking at the painting by Brueghel in the second stanza and seeing how in the painting, people barely notice Icarus falling into the ocean, even though this should be an amazing thing, or at least it would be to most people. He tries to show the balance here between the intense suffering of someone who tried desperately to achieve something grand and failed, and the passive attitude of children and others. The aged and the young are also set in opposition here, with the aged being the ones who expect and want something amazing while the younger people are content to go on with life, ignoring disasters and martyrs.
Ed from United States
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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