Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"Elegy of Fortinbras" is a poem by Zbigniew Herbert, first published in 1961. The poem is a response to William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" and explores the theme of power and the consequences of political ambition. Explanation: The poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by Fortinbras, the Norwegian prince who becomes king of Denmark after the events of "Hamlet". Fortinbras reflects on the death of Hamlet and the tragic consequences of political ambition. He mourns the loss of life and the senseless violence that results from the pursuit of power, and questions the value of political success in the face of mortality. Poetic Elements:
Overall. "Elegy of Fortinbras" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of power and the consequences of political ambition. The poem's use of vivid and often brutal imagery, metaphorical language, and symbolism create a sense of depth and meaning that goes beyond the literal subject matter. The poem invites readers to reflect on the futility of power in the face of mortality and the human toll of political action. Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON HUNTINGDON'S 'MIRANDA' by SIDNEY LANIER YOUTH'S IMMORTALITY by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE GULF-WEED by CORNELIUS GEORGE FENNER THE RECONCILEMENT by JOHN SHEFFIELD ROCOCO by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE LIVING GOD by ABRAHAM IBN EZRA |
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