Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fate" by Robert Desnos delves into the profound territories of vengeance, destiny, and the immutable force of one's wishes upon the life of another. Through vivid, sometimes harrowing imagery, Desnos explores the consequences of harboring and manifesting destructive desires, presenting a narrative that oscillates between the personal and the cosmic, the specific and the universal. The poem navigates through themes of suffering, inevitability, and the eventual dissolution of identity, set against a backdrop that intertwines the fates of individuals with the movements of nature and the city.

The opening lines immediately establish a tone of ominous inevitability: "I've wished for your death and nothing can keep it / from coming prematurely." This declaration of a wish for death sets the stage for a powerful exploration of the impact such a wish can have, not only on the intended target but on the fabric of reality itself. The vivid description of the subject "covered with sweat and pus / At the very height of your agony" serves not only to illustrate the physical manifestation of suffering but also to suggest the moral and emotional degradation that accompanies such a curse.

The poem then transitions to a broader, more atmospheric scene: "That day a thick cloud rose from the hills / of Bicêtre / And climbed up behind the Dome du Val-de-Grâce." This shift from the personal anguish to the movement of clouds over Paris landmarks such as the Val-de-Grâce and Bicêtre introduces a sense of cosmic significance to the unfolding drama. The natural world seems to respond to or reflect the intensity of the human emotions at play, with the birth of a new child on rue St-Jacques acting as a counterpoint to the death wish, suggesting the continuous cycle of life and death, creation and destruction.

Desnos's assertion that "From now on nothing can save you from shame and misery / For my wish had the taste of things that come to pass" speaks to the perceived power of his curse, a belief in the ability of his wish not only to predict but to cause the downfall of the other. This introduces a mystical element to the poem, where the speaker's desire transcends mere thought and becomes a force of nature, altering the course of events and sealing the fate of the individual.

The imagery of "hidden physical signs, in your mind / and in your heart," and the admonition to "kiss your suitcase goodbye" evoke a sense of impending doom and the inevitability of departure, whether through death or exile. The finality of the situation is underscored by the assertion that repentance, nobility, or any human virtue is futile against the tide of "nothingness" that awaits, highlighting the inescapable nature of the fate that has been decreed.

As the poem closes with the dark cloud passing over Parisian landmarks and its reflection in the Seine, Desnos encapsulates the transient yet impactful nature of human emotions and desires on the world. The dissolution of the cloud into a storm and the liberation of huge birds from their cages symbolize both the release and the destructive power of the unleashed emotions, suggesting a catharsis that is both liberating and devastating.

"Fate" is a complex meditation on the darker aspects of human desire, the interconnectedness of life and death, and the profound impact of our wishes on the world around us. Desnos masterfully weaves a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of vengeance, the inevitability of fate, and the ways in which our deepest desires can shape our reality and legacy. Through its potent imagery and thematic depth, the poem serves as a reminder of the dual capacity for creation and destruction that resides within each of us, and the indelible marks we leave on the world through our actions and wishes.

POEM TEXT: https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/fate-robert-desnos/

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