Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov's poem "Salvator Mundi: Via Crucis" provides a deeply human and introspective portrayal of Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on the emotional and psychological struggles he endured during his Passion. Through evocative imagery and reflective insights, Levertov presents a Christ who is relatable in his humanity, experiencing doubt, dread, and the desire to escape the immense burden he carried.

The poem opens with a contemplation of Christ’s appearance: "Maybe He looked indeed / much as Rembrandt envisioned Him / in those small heads that seemed in fact / portraits of more than a model." Here, Levertov acknowledges the power of art to capture the essence of Christ, suggesting that Rembrandt's depictions go beyond mere physical likeness to convey a deeper, spiritual truth. The description of Christ’s face as "dark, still young, very intelligent" with a "soul-mirror gaze of deep understanding, unjudging" paints a picture of profound empathy and wisdom.

Levertov then imagines the internal agony Christ might have felt, a grimace of pain and desperation not typically depicted in traditional crucifixions: "That face, in extremis, would have clenched its teeth / in a grimace not shown in even the great crucifixions." This suggests an emotional and psychological depth to Christ’s suffering that transcends physical pain.

The poem delves into the burden of humanness: "The burden of humanness (I begin to see) exacted from Him / that He taste also the humiliation of dread, / cold sweat of wanting to let the whole thing go." Levertov emphasizes that Christ’s greatest struggle was not just the physical torture or betrayal, but the profound internal conflict and fear. This is depicted vividly in the "cold sweat of wanting to let the whole thing go," drawing a parallel to any mortal hero overwhelmed by their circumstances.

Levertov critiques how traditional portrayals, even by the greatest artists, fail to capture the full extent of Christ’s human experience: "The painters, even the greatest, don’t show how, / in the midnight Garden, / or staggering uphill with even the human longing / to simply cease, to not be." She highlights that the true weight of the Incarnation was the intense, sickening desire to retreat from his mission, a desire so deeply human and relatable.

The heaviest burden, she argues, was not physical torture or betrayal, but "this sickened desire to renege, / to step back from what He, Who was God, / had promised Himself, and had entered / time and flesh to enact." This internal struggle, the temptation to abandon his divine mission, reveals a profound vulnerability and relatability in Christ. It underscores the paradox of his dual nature as both fully divine and fully human.

The poem concludes with an affirmation of Christ’s ultimate acceptance of his fate: "Sublime acceptance, to be absolute, had to have welled / up from those depths where purpose / drifted for mortal moments." This acceptance is portrayed not as a simple act of divine will, but as a profound and deeply human decision made in the midst of overwhelming doubt and fear. Levertov’s portrayal of Christ is one of sublime, relatable humanity, emphasizing that his divine mission was fulfilled through a deeply personal and human struggle.

"Salvator Mundi: Via Crucis" is a powerful meditation on the humanity of Christ and the profound emotional and psychological struggles that accompanied his physical suffering. Through her vivid imagery and empathetic insight, Levertov presents a Christ who is deeply relatable, experiencing the same doubts and fears that any person might face. The poem invites readers to reflect on the true nature of Christ’s sacrifice, emphasizing the profound and deeply human dimensions of his Passion.

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