Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Triumph of Love: 120," Geoffrey Hill explores the complex interplay between morality, opportunism, and redemption, drawing a parallel between Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" and the Gospels. Hill's dense and intricate language conveys a nuanced critique of moral expectations and human behavior.

Hill begins by noting the resemblance between "Measure for Measure" and the Gospels: "As with the Gospels, which it is allowed to resemble, in Measure for Measure moral uplift is not the issue." By comparing Shakespeare's play to the Gospels, Hill suggests that both texts grapple with profound moral questions without necessarily offering straightforward moral edification. This sets the stage for his examination of the ethical ambiguities and human frailties depicted in both works.

Hill then lists various qualities that "come off as poorly as deceit or lust": "Scrupulosity, diffidence, shrill spirituality, conviction, free expression." By juxtaposing these ostensibly virtuous traits with deceit and lust, Hill underscores the complexity of moral judgment. He implies that traits often considered virtuous can be flawed or problematic when taken to extremes or devoid of genuine ethical grounding.

The "ethical motiv," Hill posits, is "opportunism, redemptive and redeemed; case-hardened on case-law, casuistry's own redemption." Here, Hill delves into the idea that opportunism can be both a redemptive force and an aspect of redemption itself. By being "case-hardened on case-law," this opportunism is toughened and made resilient through legal and moral precedents. "Casuistry's own redemption" suggests that even the nuanced and often criticized practice of casuistry—resolving moral problems by applying general principles to particular cases—has its place in the broader ethical landscape.

Hill concludes with a reflection on the overall tone of these moral explorations: "the general temper a caustic equity." This phrase captures the sharp, incisive nature of the ethical examination in "Measure for Measure" and, by extension, in the Gospels. "Caustic equity" suggests a fairness that is unsparing and critical, cutting through pretenses and revealing deeper truths about human conduct and morality.

In this section of "Triumph of Love", Hill invites readers to reconsider simplistic notions of morality, urging them to embrace a more complex and realistic understanding of ethical behavior. He challenges the dichotomy of virtue and vice, suggesting that true moral insight often lies in navigating the grey areas between extremes. By drawing parallels between literary and religious texts, Hill highlights the enduring relevance of these themes and their capacity to illuminate the human condition.

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