Spotkanie - Jan Lechoń

Summary

The script discusses the life and work of Jan Lechoń, a Polish poet from the interwar period, focusing on his poem 'A Meeting.' It delves into the poem's traditional form, romantic elements, and existential themes. The speaker explores the poem's night setting, the surreal encounter with Dante, and the underlying despair and existential questions, concluding with the enigmatic absence of Beatrice, symbolizing the elusive nature of what is most important in life.

Takeaways

• 📜 The poem 'A Meeting' by Jan Lechoń is discussed, highlighting the poet's lesser-known status compared to other 20th-century poets.
• 📖 Jan Lechoń made his debut in 1920 with 'Crimson Poem', having published two prior volumes funded by his father, establishing him as a prodigy among the Skamander group poets.
• 🎭 Lechoń was part of the influential 'Big Five' and the youngest 'Zysekas of Madrid', indicating his significant position among interwar period poets.
• 📚 His work 'Silver and Black', published four years after 'Crimson Poem', includes the poem 'A Meeting', reflecting his existential experiences at the age of 22.
• 🎼 The poem begins with a sense of longing and mystery, setting a tone of a sleepless night filled with strange, yet enchanting occurrences.
• 🌌 The narrative unfolds with a mystical encounter under a starlit sky, suggesting a transition into a dreamlike state or a supernatural realm.
• 👤 The protagonist meets Dante Alighieri, symbolizing a connection with the past and the poet's internal struggle with existential questions.
• 🕊️ The poem's form and language are traditional, reminiscent of 19th-century Polish poetry and romanticism, with a structure that echoes the works of Adam Mickiewicz.
• 🌙 The night is a recurring theme in Lechoń's work, often associated with both beauty and the colors of mourning, as indicated by the title 'Silver and Black'.
• 💬 The dialogue in 'A Meeting' is dramatic, with the protagonist seeking answers from Dante, only to be met with enigmatic and despairing responses.
• 🔚 The poem concludes with a paradoxical revelation, suggesting the absence of the most cherished things in life, symbolized by the figure of Beatrice.

Q & A

Who is Jan Lechoń and why is he considered somewhat forgotten today?

Jan Lechoń was a Polish poet who made his debut in the interwar period with his poetry volume 'Crimson Poem' in 1920. He is considered somewhat forgotten today because he is read much less often than other widely known poets of the 20th century.

What was the significance of Jan Lechoń's early work and how did it contribute to his reputation?

Jan Lechoń's early work was significant because it established him as a brilliant child prodigy among the poets of the Skamander group. His father paid for the publication of his first two volumes as a teenager, which contributed to his reputation as a young and talented poet.

What is the 'Skala Oder group' and why was Jan Lechoń a prominent figure within it?

The 'Skala Oder group', also known as the Skamander group, was a popular and well-known group of poets during the interwar period in Poland. Jan Lechoń was a prominent figure within this group as he was part of the 'Big Five' and was the youngest 'Zysekas of Madrid', highlighting his importance and influence among the poets of his time.

Can you explain the significance of the poem 'A Meeting' by Jan Lechoń?

The poem 'A Meeting' is significant as it reflects a deep existential experience and is included in Jan Lechoń's volume 'Silver and Black'. It was previously published in the monthly 'Skamander' in 1921 when Lechoń was only 22 years old, showcasing his early talent.

What is the form and structure of the poem 'A Meeting' by Jan Lechoń?

The poem 'A Meeting' has a traditional form, resembling 19th-century Polish poetry and romantic ballads. It uses a stanza structure with 13 syllables per line, following the model of 7+6, which is reminiscent of the famous Polish poem 'Pan Tadeusz'.

How does the poem 'A Meeting' incorporate traditionalism and what are some examples of this?

The poem incorporates traditionalism through its form, structure, and choice of words. It uses an archaic form of the name 'Dante' as 'Alger' and phrases like 'I longed to meet the vision', which are reminiscent of 19th-century language and style.

What is the mood of the poem 'A Meeting' and how does it evolve throughout the poem?

The mood of the poem starts as light and noncommittal, with a sense of mystery and charm associated with the night. However, as the poem progresses, it evolves into a more dramatic and desperate tone, culminating in a voice of despair.

What is the significance of the character Dante in the poem 'A Meeting' and how does his appearance affect the narrative?

Dante, referred to as 'Dante of Algeria', is a significant character in the poem as he represents a link between the protagonist and the world of the hereafter. His appearance on the bridge, accompanied by the strange noise of the river, adds a supernatural and dramatic element to the narrative, leading to a surprising dialogue and a strong finale.

How does the poem 'A Meeting' explore the theme of existential despair and what does the ending signify?

The poem explores existential despair through the protagonist's encounter with Dante and the paradoxical science he receives at the end. The line 'There is only Beatrice and she is just not there' signifies the ultimate absence of what is most important, suggesting a sense of eternal restlessness and the unattainability of what we seek most in life.

What are some possible interpretations of the poem 'A Meeting' and its ending?

The poem can be interpreted in various ways, such as a reflection on the hereafter and eternal anxiety, a commentary on the importance and loss of what is most valuable in life, or a question about the secret of creativity and the struggle to name the one thing that matters most.

What is the significance of the title 'Silver and Black' of the volume in which 'A Meeting' is included?

The title 'Silver and Black' signifies a color scheme that represents both the starry nights and the colors of funeral rituals, suggesting themes of life, death, and the mysteries of the night that are prevalent in the volume's poems.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to Jan Lechoń and 'A Meeting'

The speaker introduces the audience to the Polish poet Jan Lechoń, highlighting his significance and lesser-known status in contemporary times compared to other 20th-century poets. Lechoń made his debut in 1920 with 'Crimson Poem' and had two prior publications funded by his father. Recognized as a prodigy among the Skamander group, he was part of the 'Big Five' and the youngest 'Zywec of Madrid.' The poem 'A Meeting' is from his volume 'Silver and Black,' published when he was 22, and initially appeared in 'Skamander' in 1921. The speaker hints at the poem's existential depth and the poet's personal struggles, including a nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt, setting a somber tone for the discussion.

05:06

🎼 Traditionalism and Form in Lechoń's Poetry

This paragraph delves into the traditionalist nature of Jan Lechoń's poetry, particularly its 19th-century Polish and romantic influences. The form of 'A Meeting' is reminiscent of the 13-syllable verse structure of 'Pan Tadeusz,' with its 7+6 syllable pattern. The speaker notes the archaic language and references to Dante Alighieri, suggesting a connection to the past. The paragraph also discusses the use of traditional Polish poetry forms and the potential for Lechoń's work to reflect on the history of Polish poetry. The presence of a dramatic and mysterious narrative within the poem is highlighted, drawing parallels to a romantic ballad and the genre of 'conversations with the dead.'

10:07

🌙 The Night and Its Symbolism in 'A Meeting'

The third paragraph focuses on the theme of night in Lechoń's work, especially in the volume 'Silver and Black.' The night is portrayed as a time of mystery, charm, and sensual experiences, rather than suffering or anguish. The protagonist's insomnia is depicted as an invitation to explore the night's enigmatic beauty, with the moonlight and a mysterious breath setting the scene. The paragraph explores the positive aspects of the night, its role in fulfilling dreams, and the protagonist's journey into a world of synesthesia, where the night's elements become almost tangible. The starry skies and the volume's title are analyzed for their dual symbolism of beauty and the colors of funeral rites.

15:07

👥 The Enigmatic Encounter with Dante

The fourth paragraph describes the surreal encounter between the poem's protagonist and Dante Alighieri, set against the backdrop of a river and a bridge. The meeting is depicted as a supernatural event, with Dante appearing as a figure of mystery and unease, contrasting with the protagonist's initial sense of wonder. The paragraph discusses the mythological significance of the river and the bridge as thresholds between worlds, and the dramatic dialogue that unfolds between the two figures. The encounter is framed as a moment of recognition and confusion, with Dante's appearance challenging the protagonist's expectations and revealing a sense of eternal unrest.

20:11

🔮 The Poem's Conclusion and Philosophical Paradox

In the final paragraph, the speaker reflects on the poem's conclusion, which reveals the protagonist's deep-seated despair and existential confusion. The encounter with Dante culminates in a dialogue that underscores the protagonist's search for meaning and guidance. The poem's ending is marked by a paradoxical revelation that there is no heaven, earth, or hell, only Beatrice, who is absent. This paradox is interpreted as a commentary on the nature of the afterlife, the essence of life, and the elusive nature of creativity and poetic inspiration. The speaker invites the audience to consider the poem's many possible interpretations, leaving the discussion open-ended.

Keywords

💡Jan Lechoń

Jan Lechoń was a Polish poet known for his work during the interwar period. He is central to the video's theme as it discusses his poem 'A Meeting' and his significance in 20th-century Polish literature. The script mentions his early success, his association with the Skamander group, and his traditionalist approach to poetry.

💡Skamander group

The Skamander group refers to a group of Polish poets active in the early 20th century. They are relevant to the video's theme as Jan Lechoń was a part of this group, which is mentioned to illustrate his standing among his contemporaries and the influence of this association on his work.

💡Crimson Poem

Crimson Poem is the title of a poetry volume by Jan Lechoń, marking his debut in 1920. It is a key concept in the video as it represents the beginning of Lechoń's literary career and is mentioned to highlight the early recognition of his talent.

💡Silver and Black

Silver and Black is the title of another poetry volume by Jan Lechoń, published four years after Crimson Poem. It is significant in the video's narrative as it includes the poem 'A Meeting' and is associated with themes of night and funeral rites, adding depth to the discussion of Lechoń's work.

💡Traditionalism

Traditionalism in the context of the video refers to the adherence to or revival of traditional forms, styles, or practices in poetry. It is a key concept as the video discusses how Jan Lechoń's work reflects a strong traditionalist tendency, particularly in relation to 19th-century Polish poetry.

💡Dante Alighieri

Dante Alighieri, or simply Dante, is an Italian poet from the medieval period, known for his masterpiece 'The Divine Comedy.' In the video, Dante is a central figure in Lechoń's poem 'A Meeting,' symbolizing the encounter between the poet and a revered literary figure from the past.

💡Lyric

Lyric refers to a form of poetry set to music or expressing personal emotions and thoughts in a verse form. The term is relevant to the video's theme as it discusses the lyrical nature of Lechoń's poem, which conveys deep existential experiences and emotions.

💡Existential experience

Existential experience pertains to the events or realizations that deeply affect one's sense of existence and purpose. The video highlights this concept as it describes the profound existential themes present in Lechoń's poem, reflecting the poet's inner turmoil and search for meaning.

💡Synesthesia

Synesthesia is a phenomenon where the stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. In the video, synesthesia is used to describe the blending of sensory experiences in Lechoń's poem, creating a vivid and immersive depiction of the night.

💡Paradox

A paradox is a statement or concept that despite sounding reasonable leads to a conclusion that seems senselessly or logically unacceptable. The video concludes with a discussion of the paradoxical nature of the poem's ending, where the only certainty is the absence of what is most desired, encapsulated in the line 'There is only Beatrice and she is just not there.'

💡Despair

Despair is a deep sense of loss, hopelessness, or disappointment. In the video, despair is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of the poet's emotional state and the final lines of the poem, which convey a profound sense of futility and longing unfulfilled.

Highlights

Introduction to Jan Lechoń, a somewhat forgotten poet from the 20th century.

Lechoń's early success with the publication of 'Crimson Poem' and his reputation as a brilliant child among the Skamander group poets.

Lechoń's membership in the Big Five and his role as the youngest Zysekas of Madrid, emphasizing his undeniable position among poets.

The existential depth of Lechoń's poetry, despite his young age, as seen in his lyric 'Meeting'.

Lechoń's personal struggles, including a nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt, providing context for the mood of his poetry.

The traditionalism of Lechoń's poetry, with its 19th-century Polish poetry influences and romantic patterns.

The archaic language and form used in 'Meeting', reminiscent of the works of Dante, indicating Lechoń's deep connection with literary tradition.

The poem 'Meeting' as an example of Lechoń's use of traditional Polish stanza forms and his mastery of poetic language.

The critical acclaim and reception of Lechoń's work, including his second volume 'Silver and Black'.

The exploration of the night in Lechoń's poetry, particularly in the volume 'Silver and Black', and its significance.

The poem 'Meeting' as a dramatic narrative with mysterious and dreamlike elements, contrasting with its traditional form.

The use of synesthesia in 'Meeting' to create a vivid and tangible experience of the night, enhancing the poem's sensory impact.

The symbolic meeting with Dante in 'Meeting', representing a connection between the living and the afterlife.

The paradoxical conclusion of 'Meeting', where the only presence is Beatrice, who is just not there, reflecting on the nature of existence and loss.

The potential interpretations of 'Meeting', including themes of the afterlife, the importance of love and creativity, and the eternal quest for meaning.

The impact of Lechoń's personal experiences on his poetry, suggesting a deeper layer of despair and existential questioning.

Transcripts

Good morning I would like to invite you to

States to read a poem by Jan Lechoń "A meeting" Jan Lechoń.

Leszek Serafin, actually.

Ovid is a poet somewhat forgotten today.

I think he is read much less often than

the widely known poets of the 20th century.

The poet, who

made his debut in the interwar period, in 1920

with his poetry volume Crimson Poem, he had previously published two more volumes.

As a teenager, his father paid for the publication of these two volumes.

So Jan Lechoń had a reputation among the

poets of the Skamander group as a brilliant child as a

the only one, because he also belonged to

this incredibly popular, incredibly well-known

In the interwar period, the Skala Oder group.

He was part of the Big Five, and was the youngest Zysekas of Madrid.

He was born in 1899, but his position

Among the poets of the suit was undeniable.

This position was attested to by the great success of the Crimson Poem volume.

I recall this is the year twenty-two.

Jan Lechoń's volume, published in the twentieth century

between the wars, was published four years later and was titled Silver and Black.

Included in this particular volume is a lyric Meeting lyric published earlier,

previously published in the pages of the monthly Skamander in the year 21.

It is not difficult to calculate that the poet is 22 years old at the time.

Then, when a poem is published in the literary press.

Two years older is when it appears

His second volume, also excellently received by readers and critics

literary, and therefore a poem by a very young poet.

However, the poem, which includes

A very deep existential experience.

Lechon, as I said, a brilliant child since childhood rhymes.

Since childhood, he has been writing poems and rehearsing theater.

He functions excellently as a social person, excels in the

The literary life of the interwar period.

But it also has a dark side to it.

After the success of the Crimson Poem, the poet has a nervous breakdown.

Very heavy then is the suicide attempt.

I say this not because the poem deals with topics about which the

I mention, but to outline the mood of this poem, which can

initially appear light, noncommittal, while its ending

very strongly activates a certain voice of despair.

Before I talk about this poem, I would like to read it.

I know we all see him on the screen,

But I would like this poem to resonate, because he

in a very distinctive way also sounds a lonely night tonight,

Spent sleeplessly in the moonlight, some strange breath.

I don't know myself how I suddenly woke up.

Almost sleepily.

And I have long longed to meet with the vision through someone's open window.

He played his flute quietly and the wind's

light scent brought a suffocating intoxicating

as I walked mystically into it entwined in a bouquet under a sky-dry dome

Dignified You will be heard longing, so ask.

As if enchanted by God.

I closed my eyelids.

And only some strange heard the noise of the river.

And then, later that one I saw on the bridge.

You that it was you, my master!

Why so pale?

And why such a strange anxiety heaviness.

I come to beg you for the secret of your face.

I don't know anything, for wandering around and asking your advice.

He said it Whether the moon said it or the water said it.

I dropped my head, my hands with both hands.

There is no heaven, no earth, no abyss, no hell.

There is only Beatrice.

And she is just not there.

When we read this poem

inevitably, we note the striking traditionalism of its form.

In the interwar period, the group

The suit had just such a tendency to cultivate traditions

nineteenth-century traditions of Polish poetry.

But among the bandits

The biggest, most ardent traditionalist was probably Jan Lechoń.

We read a poem that

in fact, one could imagine that it could come from the 19th century.

It could be a romantic poem, because it also begins with such a melody.

Syllables are no stranger to anyone with 13 syllables, with an average bench of po

The seventh syllable, so such a model 7+ 6.

So we remember this poem is a poem of Pan Tadeusz.

It's a poem that readily tells about certain events, certain stories.

And indeed in this poem also

we will have a story about an event.

Back to those formal matters,

probably the most popular Polish poetry, the traditional one.

A stanza perhaps the most simple four

Owl poem, and so the Lechoń poem is written now.

These are already the first signals of the traditional bones of this poem.

Others will also be found in the choice of words.

Probably the most striking is this

form of the name of the Italian medieval poet Dante, Algeria.

We would say today Dante saw in Mom's poem.

Later Danuta I saw on the bridge so

archaic form, but there will be more such archaic words.

I longed to meet the vision.

Well, doesn't that phrase seem straightforwardly 19th century?

An outstanding expert on Lechoń's poetry,

Jerzy Kwiatkowski, an outstanding expert on 20th century poetry,

critic, but also a research professor, once wrote about.

Lechoń and about his work such a characteristic opinion that if

By some fateful coincidence, everything that was written before the

Lechoń, then on the basis of Lechoń's

poetry, it would be possible with some degree of

probability to infer what poetry was like before Lechoń.

There are two sides to this comment.

Lechoń makes excellent use of poetry that originated in the nineteenth century,

poetry with romantic patterns, and on the other hand, of course, we can

consider whether there is a fine grain of salt in it.

So who is the Tatar with them?

Well, no, certainly not, although the form might indicate it.

If we would still ask about some romantic references in this poem, then

It will not be difficult to draw attention to the resemblance to a romantic ballad.

The poem is the critical one, after all.

It undoubtedly has a strong lyrical character,

But it also tells the story of a certain, a certain event, a certain night.

It tells the story not only in the words of the lyrical subject.

There are also voices quoted in the story.

Voices very mysterious, therefore dramatic forms appear.

We are dealing with a question, a request

from the protagonist of this poem, and an answer,

Which, well, as far as the addressee is

concerned, will no longer be so obvious, but in the first

reflex, we associate this answer with the

figure of Dante, who appeared in this poem.

So a certain ballad, quite a ballad, a novelty

also because it talks about a certain very mysterious event, a certain night,

During which the meeting takes place,

while the world meeting with the spirit, meeting

With the late poet, who died hundreds of years ago.

What follows is a conversation with a character with whom in the

such a reality, the meeting would be impossible.

It could only be an encounter through reading antiquity.

There was such a genre called conversation.

The Dead.

It was a prose papaya.

It was the kind of genre in which people met who

for historical reasons, they could not

meet each other and could talk to each other.

I think this meeting some elements of such prose care also has.

If we consider that the words that are the

punch line of this poem belong to the character Dante.

Moreover, of course, the mood

This line, although, as I mentioned, he will change.

This poem is one of Lechoń's very many poems dedicated to the night.

The entire volume of Silver and Black.

Note the title.

The two colors indicate the color scheme,

starry nights, but also indicate the colors of the funeral ritual.

This is how the title of this volume reads, and

Among the poems included in this volume, the vast majority treat the night.

It would seem, what more banal Night, after all, is the time of poets.

What the poem managed to record, however,

characteristic of the very experience described here?

And has it succeeded in pushing back this threat of banality?

Well, I leave the answer to this question to you.

So we will dive into this night. That night.

In the first stanza, characterized as lonely and spent, sleepless is not

initially characterized as a night of

suffering, a night of anguish, loneliness, though also

For the insomnia of our hero is depicted in a very characteristic

scenery by moonlight, by some strange breath.

That night there is some charm, there is some mystery.

All sorts of pleasant, sensual experiences will also add to the mix.

For behold, through the open window someone played quietly

On the flute and the wind light scent carried through suffocating.

It seems that we are dealing with the night

full of reverence, a night lived in a

wonderful way, that this loneliness does not weigh down our

hero that insomnia is not a torment for him.

Rather, it is an invitation to a certain mystery, to a certain strangeness.

Note that the word strange in the poem is repeated several times.

What else will indicate such a positive valorization this night?

A strange occurrence.

An event on the border of dream and java.

I don't know myself how I suddenly woke up.

The impression of a strange transfer after

Moonlight, the strange magic of the night.

And suddenly from my ordinary reality

I found myself in a tavern, and there I met a long-awaited vision.

So what? A night of dreams fulfilled.

That night when our desires come true.

A night that responds to a young man's longing.

Music, scent.

This synesthesia, a night built through

visual, olfactory, auditory sensations become

almost tangible, and the protagonist

himself has a sense of more than just strangeness,

the mystery of the night, but its special meaning.

As in the mystical I walked into it entwined

A bouquet under the sky dried, a stately dome.

Starry skies in

Lechoń's poems in the Silver and Black volume have different meanings.

In the poem Toast this floral night will be compared, for example.

To the lid of the coffin, which covered the ground.

Here completely different Again elements

The wondrousness of stateliness, the

announcement of initiation, the announcement of mystery.

This strangeness is compounded,

This strangeness is compounded because the next element, the next sentence.

I said. In this world depicted, Lechoń of that

of the poem will be voice and voice You will be heard longing, so ask.

A free station of the biblical maxim, used

Here for the very purpose of this longing, which is to end this night,

is to come its end, some long-awaited event.

Well, and later the noise of the river will appear, and

Then the second hero of this poem will appear.

So Dante of Algeria, author of the

absolute masterpiece of the medieval era, the Divine

Comedy, will appear in interesting circumstances.

He will be accompanied by the strange

noise of the river, he will appear on the bridge.

Well, not only did some bizarre vehicle move our hero from his usual

scenery to Raven, but also a meeting takes place and this meeting in the

circumstances that very strongly signal certain elements of the transition.

A river in the mythological imagination, She,

This such a strange river has such a somewhat rather floral dimension.

It was as if two worlds suddenly met, this

world and the world on the other side, and the

Dante on the bridge seems to have appeared as a link between the two worlds.

Up to this point, everything is strange, but it is fascinating, but it involves

The announcement and promise of the fulfillment of a dream, a longing.

This night is the night of a dream fulfilled.

I was talking about some romantic elements of this poem.

Well, it is also impossible not to pay

attention to the fact that this entire meeting will take place

accomplished after closing eyelids and closing, opening eyes in poem

will mark certain stages of this adventure.

Later there will be a gesture of hiding

the head in the hands, closing it, covering the eyes again.

Earlier I closed my eyelids, and yet I saw Dante on the bridge.

We remember this romantic motif, also taken from Shakespeare.

Also, miracles in heaven and earth happen,

Of which the philosophers did not dream

and that you can see before the eyes of your soul.

And now we enter the most

dramatic part of this poem, into this very strong, surprising dialogue.

Well, the meeting with Kant is awaited

An encounter accompanied by a kind of amazement.

But it is no longer just the amazement

associated with the fact that behold, it has come true.

This bewilderment accompanies the

recognition or some difficulty in recognizing Dante.

Are you?

The protagonist is surprised.

I don't quite believe it.

He saw Dante, but this Dante

somehow doesn't quite match his earlier perceptions.

Pale and, moreover, hit by a strange anxiety.

And why such a strange anxiety of heaviness?

I come to implore you.

About the secret of your face I know nothing.

I myself have wandered and I ask your advice.

At this point, ladies and gentlemen, all curtains have fallen, so to speak.

The meeting with Dante takes place in Raven. Not

After all, we know that Dante was

Florentino's check, that Florence was closest to him,

But he just spent the last years of his life in exile in a bathtub and died there.

Through this fact, its supernatural character is strengthened.

It will be a meeting with the spirit, it will be

Meeting with a person who comes from the hereafter.

But I said the masks are falling off.

Dante is no longer such a great, lofty poet.

Not only pale, but haggard with strange anxiety.

If he arrives from the hereafter, well,

it's as if eternal rest is not given to him.

He was given a strange uneasiness, but it falls away.

The mask also from the face of our hero.

He suddenly speaks very clearly about what is bothering him, what is gnawing at him.

I don't know anything.

For wandering.

And I ask your advice. Hero?

It would seem.

When we started reading this poem, that we were in a non-committal space,

In a light space, in a dream space.

Now we know that it was a sham.

Underneath, our hero hides

A huge wound, huge confusion, helplessness.

Nothing.

I don't know who to turn to then to ask what?

About the road? Well, because if he got lost, well

pointing the way would be useful to us, or, as it was said in the poem

I come to beg you for the secret of your face, the secret of your face.

What does Dante's face carry?

Pallor, terror, strange anxiety, Eternal restlessness?

And so it goes.

The finale of this poem.

A grand finale, I would say.

Again, the voice is taken over by the storyteller for a while.

But there will be nothing more here. Sure.

He said this.

Whether the moon said or the water said, it said Fallen.

You hide your head with both hands.

The last gesture of our poet is a gesture

of despair, It is a gesture of despair because the only

The science he will receive will be paradoxical science.

There is nothing, No heaven, no abyssal earth, no hell.

There is only Beatrice and she is just not there.

And, of course, there is the question of how to understand it?

How to explain it?

These explanations can be very many.

I think infinitely many.

We can read this poem as a poem in which the question is about the hereafter.

And then it turns out that there is

nothing there, there is only eternal anxiety.

Maybe this question is about what is most important in life.

And only Beatrice, understood, of course, symbolically, not only as love, but

what is most important to us will always be taken away from us.

And she is just not there.

What we need most is not there.

One can hear here, in this phrase to

Dante, also the question of the secret of creativity.

As our young man turns to

Dante's master, but then you will find

that perhaps precisely nothing matters except this

one thing that is so hard for us to name, and which he obscures in this poem

precisely Beatrice poetic love of the word no.

This paradox is the strongest chord of this poem.

Thank you very much.