C. P. Cavafy's poetry masterfully transforms historical narratives into intimate personal reflections. His work blends sharp satire with poignant themes, exploring the lives of diverse characters, from a privileged youth aspiring to politics to a marginalized young man crushed by societal expectations. Rooted in the ancient Greek poetic tradition, Cavafy's verses delve into the complexities of identity and social critique, revealing the profound emotional landscapes of his speakers amidst their contrasting circumstances.
"A Greek gentleman in a straw hat, standing absolutely motionless at a slight angle to the universe." E. M. Forster's famous description of C. P. Cavafy--the most widely known and best loved modern Greek poet--perfectly captures the unique perspective Cavafy brought to bear on history and geography, sexuality and language. Cavafy wrote about people on the periphery, whose religious, ethnic and cultural identities are blurred, and he was one of the pioneers in expressing a specifically homosexual sensibility. His poems present brief and vivid evocations of historical scenes and sensual moments, often infused with his distinctive sense of irony. They have established him as one of the most important poets of the twentieth century. The only bilingual edition of Cavafy's collected poems currently available, this volume presents the most authentic Greek text of every poem he ever published, together with a new English translation that beautifully conveys the accent and rhythm of Cavafy's individual tone of voice. In addition, the volume includes an extensive introduction by Peter Mackridge, explanatory notes that gloss Greek historical names and events alluded to in the poems, a chronological list of the poems, and indexes of Greek and English titles. - Publisher
C. P. Cavafy, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Greek poetry, gained recognition posthumously for his powerful works. This revised edition features acclaimed translations by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard, highlighting Cavafy's unique language, exploration of homosexual themes, historical re-creations, and political insights.
Cavafy is by far the most translated and most well-known Greek poet internationally. His work exists in multiple translations in a wide range of languages and major 20th-century poets as diverse as Auden, Brecht, Brodsky, Durrell, Milosz and Montale have all paid tribute to Cavafy, either by writing poems in the style of Cavafy, or by openly admitting their debt to his poetry in their own work. Whether his subject matter is historical, philosophical or sensual, Cavafys unique poetic voice is always recognizable by its ironical, suave, witty, world-weary and aesthetic tones. It is a voice which lends itself to translation. Indeed, translations of Cavafys poetry are the best possible counter to the often quoted platitude that poetry is what is lost in translation. Cavafys is a poetry that not only survives but actually thrives in translation.
Exploring the intricate relationship between life and art, Yiannis Ritsos delves into the legacy of the late Alexandrian poet Cavafy in 'Misunderstandings.' Ritsos emphasizes how Cavafy's poetry, while seemingly simple, encapsulates profound complexity, which has solidified his status among the great poets of the past century and a half. The intertwining of Cavafy's identity as a man and a poet highlights the enduring impact of his work, inviting readers to engage deeply with the layers of meaning within his poetry.
Dieser Band präsentiert erstmals die unbekannte Seite des griechischen Dichters, dessen Aufzeichnungen nach seinem Tod entdeckt wurden. Sie bieten Einblicke in sein geheimes Leben und Denken sowie seine Passionen, die über die bisher bekannte "kühle Schönheit" seines lyrischen Werks hinausgehen.
