POEMS FROM THREE DECADES

by Richmond Lattimore ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1972

Lattimore's own poems have hitherto stood in the shadow of his acclaimed translations; but it becomes clear in this collection how the two enterprises have furthered each other, and especially how the poetry consolidates the lessons of a translator's discipline. Because Lattimore's area has been the ancient classics, the influence takes two predictable directions. The first, and earliest felt, was the powerful masculine model of heroic style, applied brilliantly to industrial as well as elemental realities. Here the effort is toward fixed positions and firm contours -- a Homeric cataloguing of images -- yet in a context that is deliberately blurred, indeed often in an overwhelmingly tidal cadence. Alternatively (and increasingly) there is a more academic aspect which shifts the focus to classic or historic themes and entails a more varied and fastidious kind of craftsmanship. Tradition becomes an exploitable raw material and supports an impressively subtle playfulness, but Lattimore also shows an exactness of phrasing, a kind of sobriety and poise, an imagination that goes anywhere (the bomb; bathtubs) to find the ""oyster's irritant."" The later works are again in a plainer style, with dissipated force but new mellowness. Included are adaptations from Cavafy, Nerval, Hugo and others, as well as classical authors, but it is the original writing that makes the strongest claim.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION