Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

“Jaufre Rudel: Lanquan Li Jorn” is a poem by William DeWitt Snodgrass, first published in 1959. The poem is a modern adaptation of a medieval Occitan troubadour poem by Jaufre Rudel, who was famous for his love poetry. Snodgrass’ poem explores the themes of love, desire, and the longing for an unattainable object of affection.

Explanation:

The poem is a series of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The speaker begins by addressing the object of their affection, asking them to “come and see” the speaker. The second stanza describes the speaker’s desire to be with their beloved, comparing it to the desire of a wounded animal to seek out its mate.

In the third stanza, the speaker declares that they have come to the realization that their love for the object of their affection is unattainable, as they are “too far away.” The fourth stanza continues this theme, as the speaker laments that they cannot be with their beloved, even in death.

The fifth stanza brings a shift in tone, as the speaker begins to contemplate the nature of love and desire, questioning whether it is better to be consumed by desire or to find contentment in solitude. The final stanza ends with the speaker once again addressing their beloved, asking them to “remember me” and lamenting that their love can never be fulfilled.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker’s emotions, such as the wounded animal in the second stanza and the speaker’s contemplation of death in the fourth stanza.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is one of longing and lamentation, as the speaker expresses their desire for an unattainable object of affection.
• Allusion: The poem is a modern adaptation of a medieval Occitan troubadour poem by Jaufre Rudel, referencing the tradition of courtly love poetry.

Conclusion:

“Jaufre Rudel: Lanquan Li Jorn” is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, desire, and the longing for an unattainable object of affection. Through its vivid imagery and contemplation of death and solitude, the poem captures the depth and complexity of human emotion.

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