Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Oscar Wilde's "Ravenna," the winning piece for the Newdigate prize at Oxford in 1878, is an extensive, emotionally evocative and visually resplendent tribute to the historical city of Ravenna, Italy. It vividly encapsulates Wilde's sensuous description of the natural world, profound historical insights, and romanticism tinged with desolation. Despite Wilde's later progression towards satirical prose and plays, "Ravenna" demonstrates his early poetic prowess and heralds the themes of beauty, decay, and desire that would pervade his later works.

"Ravenna" is structured as a narrative poem comprised of 109 stanzas, with each stanza consisting of six lines. Each line is written in iambic pentameter, following a consistent rhythm throughout the poem. The rhyme scheme enhances the flow of the poem and adds a musical quality to its reading. This structure, along with Wilde's use of evocative imagery and stylistic devices, aids in creating a vivid and dynamic portrayal of Ravenna, imbuing it with a life and voice of its own

"Ravenna" unfolds as a temporal journey, oscillating between the vibrant past and desolate present of the city. Wilde resurrects its historical grandeur, reflecting on its role as the capital of the Western Roman Empire and a key city in Byzantine Italy. However, its present, rendered as "fallen" and "deserted," stands in stark contrast to its erstwhile glory. Wilde's juxtaposition of the city's vibrant history against its present decay elicits poignant reflections on transience, and the inevitable ebb and flow of civilization.

Wilde's affection for classical culture and mythology is conspicuous throughout the poem. He invokes Roman and Greek gods, recalling the traditions of Homer, Virgil, and Dante, blending Classical antiquity with medieval Italian poetic traditions. The reference to Dante Alighieri, the city's most famous exile, is particularly touching. Wilde pays homage to Dante, reflecting on his contribution to literature and his unjust banishment, thus bringing the paradox of recognition and rejection into sharp focus. This sympathy for Dante, who was both celebrated and ostracized, foretells Wilde's own fate.

The poem's resounding natural imagery paints a vivid portrait of the Italian landscape. Wilde's lush descriptions of the "northern Spring" and "flowers of our English Spring" contrast with the barren city, reinforcing its decay. These nature-filled passages reveal Wilde's mastery of the Romantic style, displaying his ability to translate visual and sensory experiences into evocative poetic language.

Notably, Wilde dedicates a significant portion of the poem to Lord Byron, another British luminary associated with Ravenna. Wilde celebrates Byron's passion for Greek independence, portraying him as a "warrior-poet," uniting artistic and political fervor. By paralleling Byron's exile and eventual death in Greece with Dante's exile in Ravenna, Wilde highlights the sacrificial nature of artistic and political commitment.

However, "Ravenna" is not without its flaws. The poem is marked by an excessive sentimentality and verbosity, and a less mature hand in mastering the use of literary devices. Wilde's elaborate allegory and alliteration sometimes border on hyperbole, detracting from the emotive power of his verses. His youthful idealism and romantic enthusiasm, while charming, occasionally oversimplify historical complexities.

Despite these shortcomings, "Ravenna" stands as a testament to Wilde's budding talent as a poet and a harbinger of his future literary achievements. The poem's interweaving of personal sentiment, historical reflections, and profound empathy attest to Wilde's emerging genius. The thematic elements of transience, historical memory, and the ephemerality of beauty foreshadow the mature works he would later produce.

In conclusion, Oscar Wilde's "Ravenna" is a panoramic spectacle of a city's passage through time, narrated through rich poetic imagery and imbued with personal and historical pathos. As a tribute to a fallen city, an homage to exiled poets, and a manifestation of Wilde's nascent literary talent, "Ravenna" holds an enduring appeal for any lover of poetry and history.

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