Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Lawrence Durrell's poem "Octagon Room" is a deeply reflective piece that meditates on art, memory, and the interplay between light and grey, symbolizing the nuances of human emotion and experience. The poem weaves together themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the complex relationship between art and life.

The poem opens with the phrase "Veronese grey!" immediately evoking the painter Paolo Veronese, known for his rich use of color. However, Durrell focuses on "grey," a color often associated with ambiguity, melancholy, and introspection. The "Octagon Room" becomes a symbolic space where light interacts with different shades of grey, revealing the "textual plumage of a mind." This suggests that the room is not just a physical space but a mental or emotional one where thoughts and memories are intricately textured and nuanced.

Durrell introduces the idea that it is not only "the authority / Of godly sensual forms" that overwhelms us, but also the "grey copied / From eyes I no more see." This grey, derived from the eyes of someone no longer present, symbolizes the enduring nature of memory and the lingering impact of loss. The grey is described as "Recording every shade of pain," emphasizing the deep emotional resonance carried within these memories. The reference to "the deathly candour of a dying art" hints at the inevitable decline or transformation of art and emotion over time, suggesting that the beauty of art and life is inextricably linked to their impermanence.

The poem then shifts to a contemplation of sensuality and the calm acceptance of life’s experiences without "aversion / Or regret." This acceptance is highlighted by the "incident of the ring / Lost in the grass: her laughter," a moment of lightness and impermanence that contrasts with the weight of memory and art. The poet reflects on his own feelings, stating, "I should have been happy / In these rainy streets," yet this happiness is questioned and ultimately left unresolved, as the poet acknowledges the ambiguity of his emotions—"happy or unhappy, who can tell you?"

The poem's final lines draw a parallel between the grey of Veronese’s paintings and the "grey feet passing" on London’s pavements, suggesting a connection between the art of the past and the everyday life of the present. The reference to the "father river" likely evokes the Thames, a symbol of continuity and history in London. The tugs "howl and mumble," adding a sense of the city’s ceaseless, almost mechanical movement, in contrast to the timeless calm of Veronese’s art. The concluding exclamation "Gods!" could be interpreted as a cry of awe, despair, or resignation, encapsulating the complex emotions stirred by the interplay of art, memory, and life.

"Octagon Room" is a poem that delves into the intricate relationship between art and memory, exploring how both shape our perception of reality. Durrell’s use of grey as a central motif reflects the ambiguity and depth of human experience, where beauty and pain are intertwined, and where the past continually informs the present. The poem’s reflective tone and rich imagery invite the reader to contemplate the ways in which art captures and preserves the fleeting moments of life, even as they slip away into the greys of memory.

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