Some time ago, a reader of my blog called rafael recommended me the poem ithaca by constantine p. Cavafys ithaka or ithaca, 1911 is a philosophical and didactic poem on the homeric theme of homecoming. Again a great experience learning greek with professionals and with intelligent fellow students. As you may expect from this influence, the poem has so much to say about life in all its. The laistrygonians and the cyclops, angry poseidon you will not meet them unless you carry. Ithaka is based on homers account of odysseuss journey home, and offers profound insight about life in all its complexity, with both the disappointments and the pleasant recollections that become.
And here he graciously provides advice which seems simple but which we too often ignore. The narrator, probably a man who has travelled a lot, addresses either odysseus, the hero of homers epic poem the odyssey, or an imaginary modern traveller or reader. Poetry by cavafy ithaca, desires, cavafy, kavafis, kavafi. At first i thought it was funny to hear connerys chewy scottish accent spit out cavafys words. Kavafis bespreking analyse betekenis uitleg poezie gedicht gedichtbespreking analyseren.
Cavafy archive an archive open to all onassis foundation. In ithaka, cavafy makes use of the story from the odyssey c. Ithaka the first version of ithaka was probably written in 1894. Wise as you have become, with so much experience, you must already have understood what ithacas mean. The first english translation was published in 1924, and there have been a number of different translations since then. Cavafy 18631933 was a greek poet, although he was born and spent most of his life in alexandria, egypt. Constantine peter cavafy konstantinos petrou kavafis 1863 1933 was an egyptiangreek poet, journalist and civil servant. A greek poet, born on 29th april 1863 and died on 29th april 1933, published only about 200 privately printed poems. Except for a few essays on literary topics and short notes on language and metrics to be found in his papers, constantine p.
You will never meet such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches your. When cavafys father died, the family moved to liverpool, england. In this poem the speaker who in this case is the poet, communicates to the readers about ithaca, which was a small island found in greece. The homeric element in cavafys poetry lund university publications. In his poem ithaca constantine cavafy uses the familiar story of the odyssey as a metaphor for the journey of life. The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. The alexandrian greek poet constantine cavafy 18631933 is a towering figure of twentiethcentury literature. Learn better greek and discover the true value of life in your own ithaka. Our mission has always been to provide free and open access to researchers as well as the wider public, and to promote cavafys work and the international character of his poetry through the digitisation and. In the poem the poet uses ithaca symbolically to refer to goals set by individuals in life cavafy, constantine, edmund keeley, philip sherrard, and georgios, 86. Cavafys father was an importerexporter whose business responsibilities frequently led him to the port city of liverpool, england. Laistrygonians, cyclops, angry poseidondont be afraid of them. The background of this poem is odysseuss return to his native ithaka after many. Many artists and literary people have been inspired by this interpretation of homers poem and have given to this small island of the ionian sea a special.
Daniel mendelsohns acclaimed twovolume translation of the complete poems of c. The poem ithaka seems to be spoken to the hero odysseus, during his return home the heros path we all symbolically travel during life, but in cavafys rich, universal language, he speaks to all of us, too. Kavafis sometimes referred to in english as constantine cavafy here is the text of ithaca in full. In that way, cavafy implies that ithaca will give hope and constitutes the main motivation to travel. When you set out on your journey to ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. Complete summary of konstantionos petrou kabaphes ithaka. Ithaka is the island home of odysseus, the hero in homers ancient greek epic poem called the odyssey. Cavafy poems english here you can find the complete list and read all of cavafys published poems 154 and a few of his unpublished ones. The first version of ithaka was probably written in 1894.
Cavafy, through a remarkable collection of poems called poems that make grown men cry, edited by anthony and ben holden. And if you find her poor, ithaca has not deceived you. The lestrygonians and the cyclops, the angry poseidon do not fear them. This is an analysis of the poem ithaca that begins with. Kavafis vertaald uit het grieks door pieter borghart. When you leave for ithaca, may your journey be long. As you set out for ithaka hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery. Ithaca when you start on your journey to ithaca, then pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. A person has to learn a lot throughout this journey, while ithaca should be constantly in his mind, because this is his goal. I came across this recitation by sean connery of the cavafy poem ithaca. Laistrygonians, cyclops, and poseidon, stanza one, lines 4,5,10,11 in order to emphasize how. Ithaca by constantine cavify 1863 1933 is based on homers account of his journey home.
His consciously individual style earned him a place among the most important figures not only in greek poetry, but in western poetry as well. Kavafis is considered to be one of the greatest greek poets and ithaca is perhaps his most famous poem. Poetry is a primitive state of the human mind, aiming to translate feelings into words greek is a very rich language and via ithaca you will be benefited spiritually and also practice at the same time. By reading this poem, it becomes perfectly clear that this island should not be seen as a specific island. Cavafy was born konstantinos petrou kavafis in alexandria, egypt, to a greek family. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems. Ithaca by constantine p cavafy famous poems, famous. Since homers odyssey, ithaca symbolizes the destination of a long journey, the supreme aim that every man tries to fulfill all his life long, the sweet homeland, the eternal calmness, and satisfaction.
Cavafyincluding the first english translation of the poets final unfinished poemsnow published in one handsome edition and featuring the fullest literary commentaries available in english, by the renowned critic, scholar, and international best. Id never come across it before, but im so glad that i read it. Cavafy wrote 154 poems, most after he turned forty. In stanza one, lines four, five, ten, and eleven the names poseidon, cyclops, and laistrygonians occer twice. Cavafys father died in 1870, and the business he left in alexandria proved. Ithaca is based on homers account of odysseuss journey home. Youll find many of cavafys poems online and there are several.
Cavafy revised the poem in 1910, and it was first published in 1911. The course is methodically structured in order to facilitate an easy and joyful learning using greek. Cavafy, also known as konstantin or konstantinos petrou kavafis, or kavaphes was a renowned greek poet who lived in alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant. Cavafy did not work in any literary form other than poetry. No modern poet brought so vividly to life the history and culture of mediterranean antiquity.
Please note that the poems are divided in chronological categories. Ithaca is just a small and insignificant island out of the so many greek islands. April 29 april 17, os, 1863 april 29, 1933 was an egyptiot greek poet, journalist and civil servant. After a fulfilling experience on chios island 2 years ago, in a mandarin grove, i wanted to experience andros in this beautiful aneroussa hotel with its colourful gardens and private beach. The poem ithaca by carol ann duffy is an unrhymed poem of five stanzas that makes use of a conversational and everyday language. In a note in english to his brother john when the poem was published, the poet regards this as a good poem than can be translated easily into english. Cavafy, also known as konstantin or konstantinos petrou kavafis, or kavaphes the celebrated greek poet reading his. Do not fear the lestrygonians and the cyclopes and the angry poseidon. His father was a successful importerexporter whose business led him frequently to england. In the outside magazine story i mentioned last week, i end my greece sailing tale with an allusion to the great 1911 travel poem, ithaca, by modern greek poet konstantinos p. This poem was written in 1893 and was first published in 1896.
Cavafy 1911 when you set out on your journey to ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. The cavafy archive was acquired by the onassis foundation at the end of 2012, thus safeguarding the archives continued presence in greece and preventing a potential fragmentation. At find thousands of poems categorized into thousands of categories. Cavafy puts all this advice in context by set ting it against the background of the odyssey, one of the worlds great travel narratives. Ithaca when you set out for ithaka ask that your way be long, full of adventure, full of instruction. He was born in alexandria, egypt, where his greek parents had settled in the mid1850s. Cavafyincluding the first english translation of the poets final unfinished poemsnow published in. When you set out for ithaka ask that your way be long, full of adventure, full of instruction.
The laistrygonians and the cyclops, angry poseidon do not fear them. But he is anxious to have the poem properly understood, and for the readers to see a fleeting image of the mind. Ithaka is one of cavafys most famous poems and is a tribute to the original greek poet, homer, and his poem the odyssey which along with its companion, the iliad, are the two oldest known works of western literature. Cavafy is known for not using any particular rhyme or rhythm in his poems. In 1911, cavafy wrote ithaca, inspired by the homeric return journey of odysseus to his home island, as depicted in the odyssey.
With a didactic intention hidden in the form of an internal monologue, he. Ithaca is greek hero ulysses home, which he spent ten years trying to get back to after the trojan wars. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of ithaka. This classic greek story is peopled by the monsters mentioned in cavafys poem. His singular style earned him a place among important figures in both greek and western poetry. The analysis of the poem ithaca by constantine cavafy 4. Cavafy revised the poem in 1910, and it was first published. Although some of the lyricism and rhyme of the original is probably lost in translation, it is still a powerful piece that speaks to the reader in any language. Ithaka is used by cavafy as a symbol of our goals that actually shape the meaning of our life. When you set out for ithaka ask that your way be long. Wise as you have become, with all this experience, you must by now have realized the true meaning of ithacas. Repetition ask that you way be long and if you find her poor, ithaca hasnt deceived you.
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