Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Paracelsus in Excelsis," Ezra Pound explores the themes of transcendence, humanity, and existential calm through the voice of Paracelsus, a Swiss physician and alchemist of the Renaissance. This poem grapples with the transformation of a man who has evolved beyond his mortal trappings, leaving behind humanity to become something altogether different. The poem is a monologue of sorts, a declaration of a new state of being, laden with philosophical and existential weight.

The poem opens with a question of identity, as the speaker disavows his former human form. He states, "Being no longer human, why should I / Pretend humanity or don the frail attire?" This could be interpreted as a rebuke of human limitations, an assertion that the speaker has moved beyond the concerns and weaknesses of mortal life. He rejects the "frail attire" of humanity, perhaps indicating the flesh, or even social and cultural norms that constrain human potential.

The speaker then makes a comparison between his former self and other men, concluding that he has evolved into something more elemental, more "simply element." This implies a form of liberation, as though he has attained a purity of essence, free from the complexities and foibles that characterize human life.

As the speaker looks into a metaphorical "mirror," the mist clears, and he sees a changed reflection. The "world of forms is swept beneath," signaling a move from the material to the immaterial, the finite to the infinite. This serves as an articulation of a state of higher consciousness, one that has left behind the turmoil of worldly concerns. The speaker refers to himself and others like him as "Fluids intangible that have been men," likening their new existence to a formless state, unbound by physical limitations.

The last lines of the poem offer a striking metaphor: "In us alone the element of calm." Here, Pound likens the evolved beings to statues around whose bases rivers have run mad. The statues remain unaffected, embodying an "element of calm" amidst chaos. This serves as a powerful symbol of transcendental peace, a form of existence that rises above the pandemonium of life.

"Paracelsus in Excelsis" is a richly textured poem that addresses the complexities of human existence and transcendence. It captures a moment of existential realization, a glimpse into a state of being that transcends human limitations. Through lush language and metaphoric depth, Pound constructs a narrative that challenges us to reconsider the boundaries of humanity and the possibilities of what lies beyond.

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