Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

 John Masefield was an English poet and writer who lived from 1878 to 1967. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1930, and his works often celebrated the sea and the life of sailors.

Content: "Cargo" is a poem that describes the different cargoes carried by three different ships on three different seas. The first stanza describes a ship carrying "coal, Welsh slate, and iron-ore" on its way from the Tyne River in northern England to Buenos Aires in Argentina. The second stanza describes a ship carrying wine, rice, and tea on its way from the island of Crete in Greece to the African coast. The final stanza describes a ship carrying "mahogany, sugar, and rum" on its way from Havana in Cuba to the city of London in England.

The poem's central theme is the interconnectedness of the world's trade and commerce. The poet is fascinated by the way in which goods are transported across vast distances and through different cultures and countries. He seems to be suggesting that this trade and commerce create a common bond between people who might otherwise be very different from one another.

Form: "Cargo" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem has a simple and direct style, with a regular meter and a consistent rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that reflects the movement of the ships across the oceans.

Poetic Elements: Masefield's use of imagery in "Cargo" is notable. He describes the coal, slate, and iron-ore as "dark as a coal" and the wine, rice, and tea as "fragrant cargoes." This vivid language helps to bring the cargoes to life in the reader's mind. Masefield also uses repetition of the phrase "Quinquireme of Nineveh" to create a sense of continuity and connection between the different ships and their cargoes. The poem's final line, "And the sunset fire on Norman towers," is a striking image that evokes a sense of both warmth and danger.

Summary: "Cargo" is a well-crafted poem that effectively captures the spirit of the sea and the world's trade and commerce. Masefield's use of vivid imagery and repetition help to create a sense of continuity and connection between the different ships and their cargoes. The poem's theme of interconnectedness is still relevant today, as the world continues to be bound together by trade and commerce. Overall, "Cargo" is a memorable and evocative poem that showcases Masefield's skill as a poet.

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