Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "Myrtho," by Gerard Labrunie, who is better known as Gerard de Nerval, is a sumptuous meditation on inspiration, love, and the reverberations of ancient myth in the modern psyche. Myrtho, the "divine enchantress," serves as the axis around which the poem's elaborate imagery turns, painting a vivid picture of sensuality, divinity, and the creative spirit.

The first stanza opens with an evocation of place-Posillipo, a region in Italy renowned for its natural beauty-before plunging into a description of Myrtho. The blend of "black grapes" with the "gold of your tress" captures a mingling of sensuality and divinity, offering a synesthetic experience of the beloved. Nerval's invocation of "clarities of the Orient" adds an exotic undertone, imbuing Myrtho with an otherworldly allure that hints at the ancient Mediterranean's melting pot of cultures and myths.

In the second stanza, the poet acknowledges his own role as an acolyte of Bacchus, the god of wine and ecstasy, suggesting that Myrtho is not just an object of his affection but also a muse. His worship at the feet of Bacchus aligns him with the "sons of Greece," making the poet part of a tradition that values intoxication as a path to divine inspiration. This is further emphasized by his claim to have drunk "ecstasy" from Myrtho's cup, cementing her status as a wellspring of divine creativity.

The eruption of the volcano in the third stanza serves as a cataclysmic representation of Myrtho's power. Her mere touch incites a seismic response, darkening the skies with ash. This cataclysm seems to signify the overwhelming force of inspiration that she represents-a force so strong that it revives dormant volcanoes and obscures the heavens.

In the concluding stanza, Nerval speaks to a historical event-the shattering of "gods of clay" by a "Norman duke"-suggesting a transition from old beliefs to new. Yet, the poet argues that despite the crumbling of these ancient idols, the spirit of inspiration remains alive. The "pale Hydrangea" and the "green Myrtle" symbolize an enduring connection between antiquity and the present, much like the enduring influence of Virgil's laurel, a traditional symbol of poetic accomplishment.

The poem unfolds in a single, uninterrupted stanza, mirroring the continuous flow of inspiration and the blending of past and present. Nerval's masterful deployment of mythological, historical, and natural imagery forms a rich tapestry, where the celestial mingles with the earthly, the ancient with the modern, and the divine with the mortal. "Myrtho" serves as a testament to the transcendent power of inspiration, crystallized in the image of a muse who is as complex as she is captivating.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...