Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Geoffrey Hill's "De Jure Belli ac Pacis," which translates to "On the Law of War and Peace" and is dedicated to Hans-Bernd von Haeften (a member of the German resistance against the Nazis, executed in 1944), is a complex meditation on justice, war, and the moral struggles of humanity. Through its allusions to historical figures and events, Hill reflects on the themes of resistance, martyrdom, and the search for justice in a fractured world.

The opening line, "The people moves as one spirit unfettered claim our assessors of stone," suggests a collective movement or spirit among the people, yet there is an inherent tension between this movement and the rigid, unyielding nature of stone—possibly symbolizing the oppressive systems or structures in place. The "assessors of stone" could be seen as judges or authorities, whose judgments are hard and unyielding.

"When the nations / fall dispossessed such conjurings possess them, elaborate barren fountains, projected aqueducts where water is no longer found." These lines evoke a sense of desolation and the failure of grandiose projects in a time of national dispossession. The "elaborate barren fountains" and "projected aqueducts" symbolize the empty promises and futile endeavors of nations that have lost their way, where resources (like water) are scarce or absent.

Hill then invokes Grotius and Comenius, two significant figures in the history of law and education. "Where would one find Grotius for that matter, the secular justice clamant among psalms, huge-fisted visionary Comenius...?" Hugo Grotius, a foundational figure in international law, represents the pursuit of secular justice, while Jan Amos Comenius, a visionary educational reformer, symbolizes the search for knowledge and enlightenment. The juxtaposition of secular justice "clamant among psalms" highlights the struggle to balance religious and secular ideals.

"Could none predict these haughty degradations as now your high-strung / martyred resistance serves / to consecrate the liberties of Maastricht?" In these lines, Hill laments the inability to foresee the "haughty degradations"—the arrogant and destructive actions that have led to suffering and loss. The "high-strung martyred resistance" refers to the courageous, albeit tragic, resistance efforts of figures like von Haeften. Their sacrifices, though martyred, are seen as consecrating or sanctifying the liberties achieved, such as those symbolized by the Treaty of Maastricht, which established the European Union and aimed to secure peace and cooperation in Europe.

Hill's poem, dedicated to a martyr of the Nazi resistance, serves as a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made in the name of justice and freedom. It underscores the complexity of moral resistance against tyranny and the enduring struggle to uphold justice in a world fraught with degradation and desolation. Through its rich historical and philosophical references, "De Jure Belli ac Pacis" invites readers to contemplate the profound and often tragic efforts to achieve peace and justice.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...