Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bronze David of Donatello" is a poem by Randall Jarrell, first published in his 1960 collection, "The Lost World." The poem reflects on the beauty and artistic mastery of Donatello's famous sculpture, "David."

Explanation:

The poem describes the physical characteristics of the statue and the way it captivates and impresses those who view it. The speaker is struck by the statue's perfection and beauty, marveling at the way it captures the essence of its subject and the human form more broadly.

Poetic Elements:

• Form:
• "Bronze David of Donatello" is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of formal structure allows the poem to flow freely and express the speaker's admiration and awe without constraint
• Imagery:
• Jarrell uses vivid imagery to create a vivid picture of the statue in the reader's mind. The physical characteristics of the statue, such as its "sleekness," "smoothness," and "lithe balance," are emphasized to create a sense of its beauty and perfection.
• Metaphor:
• The poem employs the metaphor of "bronze" to describe the statue, emphasizing its material quality and the way it captures the light. Additionally, the metaphor of "David" is used to highlight the way the statue captures the essence of the Biblical hero and his heroic qualities.
• Tone:
• The tone of the poem is reverential and awestruck, with a sense of admiration and wonder underlying it. The speaker is deeply impressed by the beauty and mastery of Donatello's sculpture.

Conclusion:

Through "Bronze David of Donatello," Jarrell pays tribute to the beauty and artistic mastery of Donatello's famous statue. The poem serves as a reminder of the power of art to capture the human form and the essence of humanity itself, and to inspire awe and admiration in those who experience it.

Poem Snippet:

"Bronze and alive, his slimness a force,

Smooth, lithe balance that swings and circles at ease;

The brow's wisdom, the mouth's charm, the young

Head altogether royal, altogether human."

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