C. P. Cavafy Criticism
Constantine P. Cavafy, a Greek poet born in 1863 in Alexandria, Egypt, is celebrated as one of the preeminent figures in modern Greek poetry. Though he published little during his lifetime, preferring to share his work privately among friends, Cavafy's posthumous acclaim has established him as a significant influence on European poetry. His work is characterized by a unique blend of historical context and modern sentiment, often exploring themes of Greek identity and personal conflict, especially with regard to his Christian faith and homosexuality.
Cavafy's life and career were deeply intertwined with the cultural milieu of Alexandria, which infused his poetry with rich historical and geographical references. Despite a limited body of work—fewer than 200 poems—Cavafy's meticulous revisions and his choice to write primarily in Greek allowed him to innovate within both classical and contemporary forms, as noted by critics such as Keeley and Savidis. His poetry often juxtaposes past and present, aiming for universal themes through historical narratives, as explored in depth by Roderick Beaton.
Cavafy's historical poems, like "Waiting for the Barbarians" and "The God Forsakes Anthony," are among his most revered works, connecting ancient events with contemporary issues. His later poems also became openly erotic, reflecting a reconciliation with his sexuality. His style is marked by linguistic irony and a mingling of formal and vernacular Greek, which contributes to his distinctive voice, as highlighted by Petroula Kephala Ruehlen and C.M. Bowra.
Critically, Cavafy's work has been widely praised for its emotional depth and innovative use of language. Introduced to Western audiences by figures like E.M. Forster, as documented in The Poetry of C. P. Cavafy, Cavafy is considered a foundational voice in modernism, influencing poets such as T.S. Eliot and William Butler Yeats. His poetry’s ability to blend individual experience with broader historical narratives continues to captivate scholars and readers alike, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in Western literary traditions.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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The Poetry of C. P. Cavafy
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Forster—a noted British novelist and friend of Cavafy—describes Cavafy's stature and work in modern Greek poetry.
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Constantine Cavafy: A European Poet
(summary)
In the following essay, Ruehlen posits that Cavafy was a European poet because of his firm grounding in Western culture and his continued relevance to European readers.
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Cavafy and Eliot—A Comparison
(summary)
In the excerpt which follows, Seferis proposes that the poetry of Cavafy and T. S. Elliot, despite differences in technique, contains parallel themes and similar outlooks.
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Constantine Cavafy and the Greek Past
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Bowra discusses Cavafy's unusual relationship to Greek culture and his life in Alexandria, arguing that his best poetry attests to his individuality.
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An introduction to Passions and Ancient Days: New Poems
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Keeley and Savidis discuss the nature, scope, and characteristics of Cavafy's poetry as well as his reluctance to publish poetry during his lifetime.
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Arrogance and Intoxication: The Poet and History in Cavafy
(summary)
In the following essay, Maronitis provides a close textual and historical study of Cavafy's poem “Darius.”
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Constantine Caváfis
(summary)
In the following essay, Friar discusses the characteristics of Cavafy's poetry, ranking his historical poems as his best.
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The Poems before 1911
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Liddell chronicles Cavafy's early development as a poet of note, focusing on the period between 1891 and 1911.
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The Language of Irony (Towards a Definition of the Poetry of Cavafy)
(summary)
In the essay which follows, Vayenas attempts to settle the debate over whether Cavafy's poetry is lyric or dramatic by emphasizing the importance of verbal and situational irony in his works.
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Originality and Eroticism: Constantine Cavafy and the Alexandrian Epigram
(summary)
In the essay below, Caires compares and contrasts ideas in Cavafy's poetry with those typical in Hellenistic literature, revealing significant differences.
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Introduction and Journey and Complications
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Capri-Karka discusses Cavafy's evolution as a poet and provides a detailed thematic analysis of several of his poems.
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The History Man
(summary)
In the essay which follows, Beaton urges critics to take a closer look at Cavafy's use of time and history in his poetry, arguing that the poet has a more complex and intricate method of merging history and the present than scholars previously believed.
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C. P. Cavafy and the Politics of Poetry
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In the essay below, Jusdanis analyzes Cavafy's poems “The Enemies,” “A Byzantine Nobleman in Exhile Composing Verses,” “Growing in Spirit” and the essay “The Thoughts of an Old Artist” discussing ideas of power and politics in his work.
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C. P. Cavafy's ‘Dangerous’ Drugs: Poetry, Eros and the Dissemination of Images
(summary)
In the following essay, Alexiou applies a deconstructionalist critical approach of Cavafy and explores the concepts of truth, poetry, and eros in his poems.
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Before Time Could Change Them: The Complete Poems of Constantine P. Cavafy
(summary)
In the following review, the critic compares Before Time Could Change Them with two other Cavafy collections, finding that the main asset of Before Time Could Change Them is its inclusion of several poems never before published in English.
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The Poetry of C. P. Cavafy
(summary)
- Further Reading