Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Portrait of a Tragedy" by Joseph Brodsky is a dark, almost unsettling, poetic exploration into the nature, manifestations, and implications of tragedy. The poem forces us to confront tragedy as an entity, dissecting its features, its form, and its function within the human experience.

The poem starts by offering a vivid and unsparing portrait of tragedy, depicting it as both repugnant and fascinating. Its "wrinkles," "hook-nosed profile," and "chin man" give it a tangible, almost human quality. Yet the human aspect is distorted, a twisted version of what should be. Brodsky accentuates the visceral quality of tragedy by focusing on its "contralto voice with a hint of devilry," a sound that overpowers reason. This introduction serves as an invitation to delve deeper into the details that constitute tragedy.

The lens of the poem widens to include not just the physical attributes but also the psychological depth of tragedy. Brodsky urges us to "Look into her eyes!" and explore "The enhanced pain" that seems to dominate the vision. This is not just an examination of tragedy as an abstraction but as a force that directly interacts with human fate.

Subsequently, the poem delves into tragedy's embodied experience. "Nestle cheek tragedy!," the poet urges, pushing us toward an uncomfortable intimacy with this fearsome figure. Here, tragedy is presented as inevitable, inherent in the nature of existence. It's almost as if Brodsky suggests that we are bound to tragedy, whether we like it or not. And, this sentiment is more explicitly revealed in the line, "We are with you tied, even though not the bride."

One of the most intriguing aspects of this poem is its direct address to tragedy, as though it were an entity capable of dialogue. This anthropomorphism allows the poet to critique tragedy, questioning its role and functions. "What's new in the repertoire, tragedy, in wardrobe?" he asks, subtly challenging the originality or necessity of tragedy's continued influence.

The poem concludes with a disquieting acknowledgment of tragedy's transformative power. The imagery of a "cross between a dead end with the prospect of" and "fire away, Open Vorota hleva (open the gates of the barn)" suggests that tragedy has a sweeping, irrevocable impact on human lives, societies, and indeed on the very essence of what it means to be human. Tragedy here is not just an event or a figure but a catalyst that triggers metamorphosis-sometimes grotesque, sometimes revelatory.

Moreover, the poem is replete with religious and mythological allusions, from references to "Father and Son" to "Gorgon," adding layers of complexity to an already intricate exploration of tragedy. These allusions indicate that tragedy is not a mere byproduct of modern life but a concept deeply rooted in the human consciousness and history, stretching back through centuries.

In "Portrait of a Tragedy," Joseph Brodsky confronts us with the discomforting facets of tragedy but also makes it evident that tragedy is inseparable from the human experience. By focusing on its detailed "portrait," Brodsky urges us to reckon with tragedy not as an abstract concept but as a formative element of our existence-one that shapes, destructs, and paradoxically, even enriches the fabric of our lives.

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