Member-only story

The Innovative and Complex Poetry of Ezra Pound: A Journey Through the Cantos 1918-21

Esteban Cox

·4.1k Followers· Follow

Published in The Poetry Of Ezra Pound: 1918 21

5 min read

394 View Claps

23 Respond

Save

Listen

A Black And White Portrait Of Ezra Pound, A Notable 20th Century American Poet, Wearing A Suit And Tie With A Serious Expression On His Face The Poetry Of Ezra Pound: 1918 21

Ezra Weston Loomis Pound (1885-1972) was an American poet, critic, and translator who exerted a profound influence on the development of 20th-century poetry. His work is renowned for its innovative use of language, form, and imagery, and his long poem The Cantos is considered one of the most important and challenging works of modern literature.

The Poetry of Ezra Pound: 1918-21

by Ezra Pound

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	648 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	106 pages

The first three cantos of The Cantos were published in 1922, but Pound continued to work on the poem throughout his life, adding new sections and revising old ones. The final version of The Cantos consists of 120 cantos and some 800 pages of text.

The Cantos is a complex and allusive work that draws on a wide range of sources, including history, myth, literature, philosophy, and science. Pound's aim was to create a comprehensive work of art that would encompass the entire history of human civilization.

The Early Cantos: 1918-1921

The early cantos of The Cantos are characterized by their experimental use of language and form. Pound breaks away from traditional poetic structures, employing a free verse style that is characterized by its fragmentary and disjointed nature. The cantos are also full of obscure references and allusions, which can make them difficult to understand.

Despite their difficulty, the early cantos of The Cantos are also full of beauty and power. Pound's use of language is often stunning, and his images are often haunting and evocative. The cantos also contain some of Pound's most incisive insights into the human condition.

In the first canto, Pound declares his intention to "make it new" by creating a poetry that is unlike anything that has come before. He rejects the traditional forms and conventions of poetry, and he experiments with new ways of using language and imagery.

The second canto is a meditation on the nature of history. Pound juxtaposes fragments of text from different historical periods, creating a collage-like effect. He also explores the relationship between the past and the present, and he argues that the past is always present in the present.

The third canto is a more personal and autobiographical canto. Pound reflects on his own experiences as a poet and a man. He also explores themes of love, loss, and redemption.

The Later Cantos: 1922-1972

The later cantos of The Cantos are more structured and coherent than the early cantos. Pound begins to use a more traditional narrative structure, and he also incorporates more historical and autobiographical material into the poem.

The fourth canto is a key turning point in The Cantos. In this canto, Pound introduces the character of Odysseus, who becomes a central figure in the poem. Odysseus is a symbol of the modern artist, and his journey through the underworld represents the artist's quest for knowledge and understanding.

The fifth canto is a meditation on the nature of economics. Pound argues that the root of all evil is usury, and he calls for a new economic system that is based on justice and equality.

The sixth canto is a political canto. Pound attacks the rise of fascism in Europe, and he argues for the importance of individual freedom and liberty.

The later cantos of The Cantos continue to explore a wide range of themes, including history, myth, literature, philosophy, and science. Pound also incorporates more personal and autobiographical material into the poem, and he reflects on his own life and experiences.

The Cantos is a complex and challenging work of art, but it is also a work of great beauty and power. Pound's use of language is often stunning, and his insights into the human condition are profound. The Cantos is a must-read for anyone interested in modern poetry.

The Poetry of Ezra Pound: 1918-21

by Ezra Pound

4.1 out of 5