Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ezra Pound's Canto I: And then went down to the ship" is the opening canto of "The Cantos," which is a long and complex poem that Pound worked on for several decades. It was written in 1915 and published in 1922.

The canto begins with the speaker describing a journey to the sea, where a ship is waiting to set sail. The ship is described as being surrounded by the "black, cold, black, sea," which creates a sense of foreboding and danger. The speaker notes how the ship is waiting for its crew, who are late in arriving, suggesting that there is a sense of urgency and impatience.

As the canto progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of time and the passage of history. He notes how the sea has been "gray for a thousand years," suggesting that the natural world is timeless and eternal, while human history is fleeting and impermanent. The speaker also reflects on the power of memory and the role of art in preserving and shaping history.

The canto ends with a reference to the Greek myth of the hero Odysseus, who sailed the seas in search of knowledge and adventure. The speaker suggests that the journey of the ship is a metaphor for the human quest for knowledge and understanding, and he encourages readers to embrace the uncertainty and adventure of life.

Overall, "Ezra Pound's Canto I: And then went down to the ship" is a powerful and complex work of modernist poetry that explores the themes of time, memory, and the human quest for knowledge and adventure. The canto sets the tone for the rest of "The Cantos," which continues to explore these themes in greater depth and complexity.

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