Me again. I just sent this post and the poem to my husband and told him that the two of you pulled a Richard Pevear and Larissa Volkhonskaya.
I was trying to think what the essay reminded me of, and especially Sarah’s question of whether the effort required to tease out all the subtle meanings pays off. When I was in high school almost forty years ago, our English class watched a video called “Acting Shakespeare,” made by Ian McKellan. In the last fifteen minutes, he analyzes Macbeth’s “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” speech in depth, sometimes word-by-word. He traces the multiple associations and references that radiate out from each word. And then, when we have these thoughts in mind, he performs the monologue for us. The effort pays off! And that’s what your translation and discussion made me think of. 😊
Oh wow, this discussion was just extraordinary--a fascinating glimpse into the worlds of German, poetry, history, and falconry--and so beautifully written too. I especially loved the image of returning to the site of a first date to find it marked by a memorial plaque only two people could see. Really lovely all around, Sarah and Emily!
Me again. I just sent this post and the poem to my husband and told him that the two of you pulled a Richard Pevear and Larissa Volkhonskaya.
I was trying to think what the essay reminded me of, and especially Sarah’s question of whether the effort required to tease out all the subtle meanings pays off. When I was in high school almost forty years ago, our English class watched a video called “Acting Shakespeare,” made by Ian McKellan. In the last fifteen minutes, he analyzes Macbeth’s “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” speech in depth, sometimes word-by-word. He traces the multiple associations and references that radiate out from each word. And then, when we have these thoughts in mind, he performs the monologue for us. The effort pays off! And that’s what your translation and discussion made me think of. 😊
Auden, Rilke and Emperor Friedrich II von Hohenstaufen.
I'm glad I read this early when my brain was empty. You filled it up.
Oh wow, this discussion was just extraordinary--a fascinating glimpse into the worlds of German, poetry, history, and falconry--and so beautifully written too. I especially loved the image of returning to the site of a first date to find it marked by a memorial plaque only two people could see. Really lovely all around, Sarah and Emily!
RFKjr on Falconry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PAmsuP7zBw