Odysseas Elytis: Greece’s Poet
The poetry of Odysseas Elytis, who is acknowledged as one of the greatest Modern Greek poets, is beloved around the world. Elytis’ poetry, with its soaring imagery and revitalizing passion, appeals to readers of every kind. However, his work is especially significant and meaningful for the people of Greece, who are able to form veritable connections to Elytis’ literary motives. For this reason, Elytis is regarded by many as the purveyor of Greek tradition. Furthermore, the Aegean Sea, arguably an important element of Greek tradition, is a central, recurring feature in his work and thus, Elytis’ is also revered as the “Poet of the Aegean”. Although reading Elytis’ poetry in general is addictively enlightening, …show more content…
“The blood that runs through our veins comes from the Aegean Sea…from the rains that fall…our soul is composed from the souls of hundreds of ancestors who lived here,” elucidates Greek fiction writer Stratis Myrivilis (qtd. in Polycandrioti 122). Obviously Greeks feel that there is a profound connection formed between the earth and the Greek tradition. Elytis looks to Greece’s natural landscape, finding a deeper meaning within the natural structures. As “the Poet of the Aegean”, Elytis’ writings document the interaction between the Greek psyche and the Aegean landscape. The Aegean Sea, especially, is mentioned time and time …show more content…
The poet brings Greek tradition into the present with the use of the Modern Greek language which, can be traced back to its ancient roots, he considered a means of proudly displaying a wealth of cultural inheritance. A man who took pride in his native language, Elytis was also inspired by modernism, a major literary movement of the time that was “all the rage” in Europe and North America. Another way of reuniting the past with the present, Elytis incorporates elements of modernism while writing in an ancient-rooted language.
Obviously Elytis loved his country and fellow countrymen (as expressed through his poetry). This admiration is not one sided, though. For instance, during the Second World War in which Greece fought against fascist Italy, Elytis wrote The Axion Esti (which many consider to be his chef d’oeuvre). This collection of poetry reflects the feelings of collective Greece at that time – the poems are full of sorrow and yet, they are proud because Greece, a tiny nation, was standing up to a formidable enemy. Ένα το Χελιδόνι, the anthem of resistance to tyranny, was a piece from The Axion set to
The poetry of Odysseas Elytis, who is acknowledged as one of the greatest Modern Greek poets, is beloved around the world. Elytis’ poetry, with its soaring imagery and revitalizing passion, appeals to readers of every kind. However, his work is especially significant and meaningful for the people of Greece, who are able to form veritable connections to Elytis’ literary motives. For this reason, Elytis is regarded by many as the purveyor of Greek tradition. Furthermore, the Aegean Sea, arguably an important element of Greek tradition, is a central, recurring feature in his work and thus, Elytis’ is also revered as the “Poet of the Aegean”. Although reading Elytis’ poetry in general is addictively enlightening, …show more content…
“The blood that runs through our veins comes from the Aegean Sea…from the rains that fall…our soul is composed from the souls of hundreds of ancestors who lived here,” elucidates Greek fiction writer Stratis Myrivilis (qtd. in Polycandrioti 122). Obviously Greeks feel that there is a profound connection formed between the earth and the Greek tradition. Elytis looks to Greece’s natural landscape, finding a deeper meaning within the natural structures. As “the Poet of the Aegean”, Elytis’ writings document the interaction between the Greek psyche and the Aegean landscape. The Aegean Sea, especially, is mentioned time and time …show more content…
The poet brings Greek tradition into the present with the use of the Modern Greek language which, can be traced back to its ancient roots, he considered a means of proudly displaying a wealth of cultural inheritance. A man who took pride in his native language, Elytis was also inspired by modernism, a major literary movement of the time that was “all the rage” in Europe and North America. Another way of reuniting the past with the present, Elytis incorporates elements of modernism while writing in an ancient-rooted language.
Obviously Elytis loved his country and fellow countrymen (as expressed through his poetry). This admiration is not one sided, though. For instance, during the Second World War in which Greece fought against fascist Italy, Elytis wrote The Axion Esti (which many consider to be his chef d’oeuvre). This collection of poetry reflects the feelings of collective Greece at that time – the poems are full of sorrow and yet, they are proud because Greece, a tiny nation, was standing up to a formidable enemy. Ένα το Χελιδόνι, the anthem of resistance to tyranny, was a piece from The Axion set to