Inspired by Breughel 's artwork, W.H. Auden emphasizes the significance of suffering through a 15th century masterpiece “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.” Written in 1938, Auden’s “Musee des Beaux Arts” is a representation of man’s indifference to suffering. A literary expression created from different times, both artists effectively conveyed its message through the gift of poetry and visual imagination. To analyze both works from a literary and personal perspective is the goal of this essay.
From Breughel 's artwork, “Musee des Beaux Arts” message on suffering came about. “About suffering they were never wrong, The old Masters: how well they understood” (line 1-3). According to artsy.net, “the term “Old Masters” generally refers to the most recognized European artists – mostly painters – working between the Renaissance and 1800.” However, from a non-literary perspective, may also be interpreted as someone whose wisdom is revered with utmost importance. Since Breughel’s …show more content…
In analyzing the “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,” everybody seem to be preoccupied in their lives and unmindful of the visible presence of “...white legs disappearing into the green water” (line 17). Written by Williams, “According to Brueghel [,] when Icarus fell [,] it was spring [, and] a farmer was ploughing [,] his field…” (1-5). The reference to springtime represents time spent outdoors. The portrait of a drowning Icarus within a farmer’s sight represent disregard for one’s suffering and so does another image in the form of a sailing ship. Like any vessels, it is likely that someone from the “...expensive delicate ship... must have seen something… [in this case Icarus]... falling out of the sky [yet] had somewhere to get to and [continued] to sail[]… on” (line 18-20). Just like the passing ship, the herdsmen are seen to be engrossed in each life seemingly without regard for Icarus’
From Breughel 's artwork, “Musee des Beaux Arts” message on suffering came about. “About suffering they were never wrong, The old Masters: how well they understood” (line 1-3). According to artsy.net, “the term “Old Masters” generally refers to the most recognized European artists – mostly painters – working between the Renaissance and 1800.” However, from a non-literary perspective, may also be interpreted as someone whose wisdom is revered with utmost importance. Since Breughel’s …show more content…
In analyzing the “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,” everybody seem to be preoccupied in their lives and unmindful of the visible presence of “...white legs disappearing into the green water” (line 17). Written by Williams, “According to Brueghel [,] when Icarus fell [,] it was spring [, and] a farmer was ploughing [,] his field…” (1-5). The reference to springtime represents time spent outdoors. The portrait of a drowning Icarus within a farmer’s sight represent disregard for one’s suffering and so does another image in the form of a sailing ship. Like any vessels, it is likely that someone from the “...expensive delicate ship... must have seen something… [in this case Icarus]... falling out of the sky [yet] had somewhere to get to and [continued] to sail[]… on” (line 18-20). Just like the passing ship, the herdsmen are seen to be engrossed in each life seemingly without regard for Icarus’