The relationship of poetry to history is a most important one, since poems arise out of the process of history and are written by men who are living in that process. Andrew Marvell’s Horatian Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland undoubtedly is a poem of great artistry, but above all it provides an excellent example for political poetry of seventeenth century Great Britain. Since Marvell’s poem deals with historical figures and comments on a historical occasion, there is a temptation to see the poem merely as a historical document. But while it is generally recognized that the poem provides a historical account of the period, it is indeed quite complex and by no means free of political judgement. As Brooks and Warren put in their essay on the poem, “distinguishing between a poem as a work of art and a poem as a historical document seems necessary in order to explore the intimate relationship between them” (1950). While the prosodic majesty and metrical poise of Marvell’s poem has sustained universal acclaim among critics, the attention of most students of Marvell’s Horatian Ode has been directed towards questions about the political ideologies expressed in the poem. We know that Marvell was not only a poet but also a political figure, but there is still no real consensus as to what Marvell’s political attitudes were ‘really’ like. The ambiguous political views and attitudes Marvell held throughout his lifetime seem to correspond with the political ambiguity in the Horatian Ode. Critics such as David Norbrook argue that the Horatian Ode “clearly expresses great political commitment to Oliver Cromwell” (1990), while other interpretations stress that the Ode is quite explicit in its Royalist bias. Based on these readings, the question arises whether assuming that Marvell approves or disapproves of Cromwell in an ultimate sense would not mean to over-simplify the meaning of the poem. In the following paper, I will attempt to find out about the poem’s engagement with the politics of its moment, the summer of 1650. I want to approach the Horatian Ode by means of an excursus devoted to the manner in which Marvell reflects on the historical occasion of Charles’s beheading and Cromwell’s subjugation of Ireland. Specifically, I will attempt to show that the poem expresses a highly ambivalent and ironic attitude, and that both Royalist principles and admiration for Cromwell’s achievements are present in the poem.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Historical Background
- III. Andrew Marvell: Life and Development of Political Thinking
- III.i. Poetic Themes and Literary Influences
- III.ii. Horace: Andrew Marvell's Literary and Intellectual Model
- IV. The "Horatian Ode" as a Political Poem
- IV.i. Cromwell and the Present Moment: Admiration or Condemnation?
- IV.ii. The Killing of Charles - A Necessary Blood Sacrifice?
- IV.iii. Cromwell's Emergence as a New Leader: Dramatic Perspectives and Prophecies
- V. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze Andrew Marvell's "Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland" as a political poem, exploring its engagement with the political climate of 1650. It examines the poem's complex and ambivalent attitude towards Cromwell and the events surrounding the execution of Charles I and the Irish campaign. The analysis moves beyond simply labeling Marvell's political stance, instead delving into the poem's nuanced portrayal of historical events and political ideologies.
- The intricate relationship between poetry and history in 17th-century England.
- Marvell's personal political views and their reflection in the "Horatian Ode."
- The poem's portrayal of Cromwell, encompassing both admiration and criticism.
- The poem's treatment of Charles I's execution and its implications.
- The use of literary and historical allusions to shape the poem's meaning.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central argument: Marvell's "Horatian Ode" is a complex political poem that avoids simple approval or disapproval of Cromwell. It highlights the poem's artistic merit while emphasizing the need to examine its political implications within its historical context. The chapter introduces the ambiguity surrounding Marvell's political views and the varying interpretations of the poem's political stance, setting the stage for a nuanced analysis of the poem's multifaceted engagement with the politics of its time.
II. Historical Background: This section provides crucial historical context for understanding Marvell's "Horatian Ode." It summarizes the key political events leading up to 1650, including the reigns of James I and Charles I, the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and Cromwell's rise to power. This background information is essential for interpreting the allusions and references within the poem, illuminating the specific historical moment to which Marvell is responding. The chapter traces the shift in power dynamics and the various political factions at play, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the complexities of the poem's political landscape.
III. Andrew Marvell: Life and Development of Political Thinking: This chapter delves into Marvell's life and intellectual development, providing crucial biographical context for interpreting his political poetry. It explores Marvell's poetic themes and literary influences, highlighting the impact of Horace on his work. The exploration of Marvell's intellectual background illuminates the literary and philosophical frameworks through which he approached political themes, offering a richer understanding of his poetic choices and their political implications.
IV. The "Horatian Ode" as a Political Poem: This chapter constitutes the core of the analysis, exploring the poem's engagement with the politics of 1650. It examines three key sections of the ode: the depiction of the present moment (Cromwell's return from Ireland), the recent past (Charles I's execution), and the future of the republic. This structured approach allows for a close reading of the poem’s various layers of meaning and its use of dramatic perspectives and prophecies to convey its political message. Through close textual analysis, the chapter aims to demonstrate the poem's highly ambivalent and ironic attitude, revealing a simultaneous presence of both Royalist principles and admiration for Cromwell's achievements.
Keywords
Andrew Marvell, Horatian Ode, Cromwell, Charles I, English Civil War, political poetry, 17th-century England, republicanism, royalism, ambiguity, irony, historical context, literary influences, Horace.
Andrew Marvell's "Horatian Ode": Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes Andrew Marvell's "Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland" as a political poem, examining its complex and ambivalent attitude towards Cromwell and the events surrounding the execution of Charles I. It focuses on the poem's nuanced portrayal of historical events and political ideologies within the context of 17th-century England.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the intricate relationship between poetry and history in 17th-century England; Marvell's personal political views and their reflection in the "Horatian Ode"; the poem's portrayal of Cromwell, encompassing both admiration and criticism; the poem's treatment of Charles I's execution and its implications; and the use of literary and historical allusions to shape the poem's meaning.
What is the paper's objective?
The paper aims to move beyond simple categorizations of Marvell's political stance, delving instead into the poem's nuanced portrayal of historical events and political ideologies. It seeks to provide a thorough analysis of the poem's multifaceted engagement with the politics of its time.
What historical context is provided?
The paper provides crucial historical context by summarizing key political events leading up to 1650, including the reigns of James I and Charles I, the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and Cromwell's rise to power. This background information is essential for interpreting the allusions and references within the poem.
How does the paper analyze Andrew Marvell's life and work?
The paper delves into Marvell's life and intellectual development, exploring his poetic themes and literary influences, particularly the impact of Horace. This exploration illuminates the literary and philosophical frameworks through which Marvell approached political themes.
How does the paper analyze the "Horatian Ode" itself?
The core of the analysis focuses on the "Horatian Ode" as a political poem. It examines three key sections: Cromwell's return from Ireland, Charles I's execution, and the future of the republic. Through close textual analysis, the paper aims to demonstrate the poem's highly ambivalent and ironic attitude, revealing a simultaneous presence of both Royalist principles and admiration for Cromwell's achievements.
What are the key chapters and their contents?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction establishing the central argument; a chapter on historical background; a chapter on Marvell's life and political thinking; a chapter analyzing the "Horatian Ode" in detail; and a conclusion. Each chapter contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the poem's political and literary significance.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Key words include: Andrew Marvell, Horatian Ode, Cromwell, Charles I, English Civil War, political poetry, 17th-century England, republicanism, royalism, ambiguity, irony, historical context, literary influences, Horace.
- Citation du texte
- Stephanie Fuchs (Auteur), 2004, Marvell's 'Horatian Ode' as a Political Poem, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/30221
