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Auden

In “Musee des Beaux Arts” W. H. Auden describes the ordinary human indifference to suffering. His poem is an example of ekphrasis, poetry describing artwork. In this poem Auden utilizes an ironic duality in his expression and comprehension of human anguish. His poem is full of remarks that seem casual and accidental, and yet still accurate, definite and precise. He ponders the mystical qualities of “the miraculous birth” and “dreadful martyrdom” in the midst of normal, everyday scenes (7, 10). With an impressive balance of Apollonian and Dionysian elements Auden is able to express his thoughts on the lofty subjects of art and suffering, while maintaining a controlled, if subtle, poetic format. All of these dualities in Auden’s poetry express his perception of indifference to the human condition, and ask the reader to question his or her own tendencies of apathy towards others. “Musee des Beaux Arts” shows how both the Old Masters and Auden perceived that it is ...

Posted by: Ryan Wilkins

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