Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Musee des Beaux Arts" is a poem by Wystan Hugh Auden, first published in 1938. The poem is a meditation on the nature of suffering and the ways in which it is often overlooked or ignored by the world around us. It draws inspiration from the works of Flemish painters such as Pieter Bruegel and Hieronymus Bosch, whose paintings are housed in the Musee des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. Auden uses these paintings as a way to reflect on the human condition, particularly the idea of suffering and the ways in which it is often ignored or overlooked by the world around us.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of indifference, which Auden suggests is a common human failing. He uses the painting "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus" by Pieter Bruegel as a powerful metaphor for this theme. The painting depicts the mythological figure of Icarus falling from the sky, but the people on the shore appear completely unaware of his plight. Auden suggests that this painting serves as a reminder of the ways in which we often turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, even when it is happening right in front of us.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of redemption and the ways in which suffering can be a source of beauty and meaning. Auden references the painting "The Census at Bethlehem" by Pieter Bruegel, which depicts a group of people gathered for a census against the backdrop of a snowy landscape. Auden suggests that this painting captures the beauty and tragedy of the human experience in all its complexity. He suggests that even in the midst of suffering, there is a kind of grace and dignity that can be found, reminding us of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

Auden also draws on the work of Hieronymus Bosch, whose paintings often depicted fantastical and disturbing images. He references Bosch's painting "The Fall of the Rebel Angels" as a way to explore the idea of human sin and the ways in which it can lead to suffering. Auden suggests that the painting serves as a reminder of the consequences of our actions and the ways in which we are all connected to one another.

Overall, "Musee des Beaux Arts" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that draws on the work of Flemish painters to explore the human condition. Through its use of vivid language and powerful imagery, the poem invites us to consider the ways in which suffering, indifference, and redemption are all intertwined in the complex tapestry of human experience.

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