1. Choose a piece of text by a contemporary author that explores time and/or place; it could be an extract from a novel, short story or play, a long poem (epic), or a screenplay, perhaps extrapolate a piece of text from song lyrics or a graphic novel. Your extract should be somewhere between 100 and 200 words long. That may not sound like a lot, but the extract from The Road (Project 4) was only around 120 words. The key thing is to choose your extract carefully to make sure you have enough to write about. In longer texts – novels, plays – beginnings are good for close reading because they usually throw up plenty of questions to get the reader interested and they may also have quite a bit of ‘establishing’ detail.

Ithaka

BY C. P. CAVAFY

TRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY

As you set out for Ithaka

hope your road is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:

you’ll never find things like that on your way

as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,

as long as a rare excitement

stirs your spirit and your body.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them

unless you bring them along inside your soul,

unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Hope your road is a long one.

May there be many summer mornings when,

with what pleasure, what joy,

you enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time;

may you stop at Phoenician trading stations

to buy fine things,

mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

sensual perfume of every kind—

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

and may you visit many Egyptian cities

to learn and go on learning from their scholars.

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

Arriving there is what you’re destined for.

But don’t hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years,

so you’re old by the time you reach the island,

wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you wouldn’t have set out.

She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,

you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

C. P. Cavafy, “The City” from C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Translation Copyright © 1975, 1992 by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Reproduced with permission of Princeton University Press.

Source: C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975)

1. Do a close reading of the text and write about your response, your interpretation and your feelings about the writing and its themes. Go back to the close reading exercises in Projects 3 and 4 to help you with points to think about. Include a copy of the text with your assignment submission. Don’t forget to mention: plot, structure, character, narrator, point of view, language and language techniques, as well as possible themes of time and place

Write up to 1,500 words. This is slightly more than you’re asked to write for other parts of the course; this word count has been chosen to give you plenty of scope to express and develop your ideas. You won’t be penalised for writing less than this, but please write at least 1,000 words.

Cavafy wrote ”Ithaca” in 1910 and was published a year later. The poet, who was 47 years old at this time, was accomplished, and mature, but not too old. He still had some young enthusiasm, passion, and life experience. In his poem, he is advising the reader, who walks the same path as he does, that life is not only a physical but also, a spiritual journey everybody has to embrace and that there is a plethora of things you can gain on your way: benefits you can’t even imagine of. He is encouraging the reader to follow that trip without asking for a payback; the profits will be countless. 

The poem, is based on the myth of Odysseus as we know it from Homer’s Odyssey, but on contrary, our hero is not returning home like Odysseus was but is going to Ithaca; so Ithaca, becomes a destination, a final stop of the long journey.  According to Homer, trying to return home, Odysseus is facing a series of long-lasting and endless problems caused by mythological creatures (the same as mentioned by Cavafy). Meanwhile, he is in relentless despair and in nostalgia for his family and his homeland. Conversely, Cavafy is reassuring that these ‘Laistrygonians,  Cyclops wild Poseidon’ (being our own personal demons)  are fictions of our fear and we will not encounter them if we keep our spirits high and our souls eclectic. So, on the way, there is no longing for home, no obstacles, just experience, joy, and excitement about the new discoveries.

-STRUCTURE-

The poem consists of five stanzas, but structure-wise can be divided into six unities.

In the first unity (verses 1-3); Cavafy talks about the way of life one has to follow, during the journey to Ithaca.

In the second unity (verses 4-12); if there is high thinking any danger is manageable.

In the third unity (verses 13-23); pleasures enjoyed during the journey: material and mental.

In the fourth unity (verses24-30); the voyage should last as long as possible. It is important that has to be ‘until the time you are old’.

In the fifth unity (verses 31-33); Ithaca’s contribution.

In sixth unity (verses 34-36) ;the deeper; the symbolic meaning of Ithaca.

TIME-PLACE

The time frame is not specific, only to be limited by human life span. The place/space is undefined; even though Cavafy is talking about an existing place, a Greek island, he is using it as a reference: Ithaca is a symbolic destination.  

-POETIC DEVISES-

Rhyme: Having the privilege or studying the poem in its original language (Greek) I can assure, it is a free style writing with rhyme being absent all the way through. As far as the language is concerned, Cavafy was an Alexandrian Diaspora Greek where his family was coming from Constantinople (Istanbul): two of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities of his time; that matter obviously affected his writing and his point of view. His language is simple and easy to understand with meanings easy to spot and comprehend. The pace of it flows very well as his writing is plain and straightforward. It starts with long sentences, long verses, but as the poem unravels they become smaller. 

Personification: The whole poem is personification on its own: Ithaca is not a place; it is a journey, a medium, for the voyager to live and learn experience and enjoy, travel and explore.

Metaphor: Again, because of the nature of Cavafy’s work, the whole piece is a metaphor. It talks about life’s journey.

Imagery: <<May there be many summer mornings when,

With what pleasure, what joy,

You enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time ;>>

What a lovely picture that is! Wondering, exploring and experiencing the pleasure of new discoveries.

INTERPRETATION AND MY VIEW-MY FEELINGS READING ITHACA

 Reading Cavafy’s poem numerous times over the years helped me spot many layers between the verses; their meaning, what is in between the lines, can be a matter of ambiguous interpretation. It is down to the reader and their circumstances to explore and discover a different answer each time.

Ithaca can be studied as a journey of a shorter term; to be more specific: there is a constant encouragement from Cavafy to the reader to enjoy what he/she is experiencing, practicing, and learning, by getting the most out of any activity/journey. So, whether it is about achieving a smaller (than life) time frame goal like a university degree, a job project, succeeding in sports, or even migrating (like I did) the poet encourages you to ignore your fears, your superstitions, your urge to avoid any difficulty. Just have, along the whole journey, the whole process, the benefit of adventure and learning pleasure; and most of the time it is not about what one has accomplished when is looking back (to seek for maximum achievement), but ‘wise as you have become’ will understand what is all about: the goal is not for you to become rich, but wiser, more experienced. The journey to achieve this state of mind, these short-term accomplishments, can be called sailing to Ithaca.

There can be another interpretation of the ‘sail out for Ithaca’. It can be perceived as a person’s life journey where Ithaca is the final destination; ‘so you’re old by the time you reach the island’ and the ‘harbours you’re seen for the first time,’ the ‘many Phoenician trading stations’  are life’s challenges,  where a person dares to stop and deal with them,’ learn and go on learning and enjoys buying perfumes( pleasures­) of any kind ‘as many sensual perfumes as you can’ to make the journey sweeter and prettier. In other words, he encourages enjoying life’s moments to the fullest, looking for pleasure, and embracing it. He advises not to hurry but wishes that life’s journey is long, full of discovery, and full of adventure. Dealing with difficulties of any kind, human, or divine, can only be a turnoff and the real foe lies within: fear is an internal enemy. If we face our fears then nothing can feel as dangerous or fearsome to block or prevent a person’s journey from being a wonderful experience: all the ingredients are out there, you just need to have your soul and spirit eager to explore them.

  Another interesting approach of what ‘these Ithacas mean’ would be if we perceive  Ithaca as a medium , as a vehicle, that help us open doors to achieve goals: a way to lead a better life; a platform which encourages to learn and explore, a channel that helps you to be where none else has been before . To make myself clear, I believe a profession, can be an Ithaca to a person: it can by all means help you sail in the sea of life, wondering and discovering, ‘visiting Egyptian cities’ and learn from those who know. A profession can give you a wonderful journey; but don’t expect it to make you rich, but wealthy with all you have gained on the way. And if you think you are still poor, your profession haven’t fooled you. Wise as you have become full of experience, you will be able to pass the knowledge on to people whose time has come to start their own wonderful journey, their quest for their own Ithaca.   

How do I feel about the poem? Since I’ve first read it, many years ago, I felt deeply connected with it. Growing up, my profession has interacted with my life a lot. I’ve left my homeland to sail to the unknown, having Ithaca inside me.  Through my job, I’ve managed to travel, see, explore, encounter, learn and learn again. ‘Laistrygonians, Cyclops wild Poseidon’ is not blocking my way: I don’t let them do so. Using Ithaca as a navigator, I’m trying to buy as many sensual perfumes as possible, mother of pearl and amber; live the joy of exploring to the fullest: new harbours, Phoenician stations, and land unseen before. I experience Ithaca by pushing the boundaries and doing things that help me grow and move further. I hope the voyage is a long one. And I hope, old enough, when my journey ends, I will be able to tell my children ‘what those Ithacas mean’.     

—————————————————————————————

To conclude, write a commentary of about 500 words, drawn from your learning log and notes, reflecting on what you have learned in this part of the course and how you have put this into practice in your assignment piece.

In assignment two, I had the chance to work and study on what I enjoy doing most: creative writing. Having the language barrier, I’ve tried to approach literacy and poetry in a way I understand and it is easy for me to comprehend. OCA has given me the equipment as a guide to deepen my research and to help me adjust to the circumstances given.

I found assignment 2 quite challenging, but very rewarding as well. It was fruitful to go through pieces of work like The Fern Hill where the linguistic challenges  were huge; the expressive forms of Dylan Thomas were a bit out of my cognitive spectrum. As advised from the brief, I had to read the poem out loud again and again. Eventually, I had to go on YouTube, to listen to Richard Burton reading it and understand the verse flow, the pace and the rhythm of Dylan Thomas’s poem. I also had to go online to make a research about people’s view regarding the Fern Hill and furthermore how it made them feel: the result was quite revealing and inspiring.  After that, it was a lot easier to digest and then process it: it felt like I found a key, or better, a decryption code.

Assignment 2 has given me (and reminded me) all the tools I needed to analyze and action on a piece of work, so when it was time to do my study of  my own choice, using the tools provided and given the fact that I could read something in two languages I’ve chosen a quite familiar poem to me but with a very strong impact in my life. I’ve read it in Greek as well as in English. Then, same as with Dylan Thomas, I’ve heard actors reading it in both languages. It was quite captivating and interesting, because, each actor was emphasising on different words, their pace was different, even the rhythm was different. Ithaca and its deep meanings though, stayed the same. That was quite powerful to me: changing the expressive means dramatically does not mean that the message will change, as long as the idea, the piece of work is strong enough to support it. That was a very interesting outcome from this exercise leaving me wonder, if we change the language, and the meaning stays the same, what if we change the media and we use different expressive ways rather than just a different language? what is we used hieroglyphics, ideograms, or pictures to tell a story? what would be the impact? would the story be as strong?

I suppose there is a lot to discover, a lot to question about, but in the end of the day, that is the fuel of art: the exercise of your restless spirit and the questioning which can lead you into the unknown; to <<harbors never seen before>>.

Looking forward to starting assignment 3.

References:

ITHACA: C. P. Cavafy, “The City” from C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Translation Copyright © 1975, 1992 by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Reproduced with permission of Princeton University Press.

Source: C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975)

Fern Hill: (1945 Dylan Thomas, first published in the October, 1945, Horizon magazine, with its first book publication as the last poem in Deaths and Entrances. [source: Wikipedia, accessed 16 July 2022]

Metrisch (2010) Richard Burton reads  ‘Fern Hill’ by Dylan Thomas  [online video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-ZuguSrQQ [Accessed 16/6/2022]

———————————————————————————————————-

NOTES–WEB RESEARCH

In this poem, Cavafy ( the poet) guides the epic hero Odysseus while he sets out for his homeland. Ithaca, being his destination, will always be there. But, the journey that he takes to return there, is a lifetime event. So, he must focus on the means and divert his attention from the end as he is on the voyage to Ithaca. The thoughts revolving around his homeland should always be cherished. But, to increase his knowledge and wisdom, he must keep his senses alert. To know beyond the limits and increase the treasure of mind, Odysseus has to make the most from this journey. Then he can understand the significance of Ithaca.

Meaning

This poem deals with Odysseus’ journey to “Ithaka.” The meaning of this poem is simple yet there are layers of meanings. To begin with, through this piece, the poet signifies the importance of the journey of life. “Ithaka” is a metaphor and it can be comparable to different ideas. Readers can compare it to knowledge or a spiritual abode.

Through this journey to Ithaca, Odysseus comes across several difficulties as well as he encounters numerous learning opportunities. Not only that, on the way, he can discover unknown regions and cultivate his knowledge. Last but not least, he can buy unique items from the regions he discovers on the way to Ithaca. If he takes his time and does not think much about returning to his homeland anyhow, he can become more capable, wise, and spiritually awakened as a person at the end of this arduous voyage.

Structure

This poem consists of five stanzas and the line-count in each of them is not regular. The number of lines in a section decreases as a reader progresses through the poem.

There is not a specific rhyme scene. It is a free verse poem that does not resemble conventional diction. Though there is not any rhythmic pattern, it does not sound monotonous. Cavafy uses internal rhyming for maintaining the flow of this piece.

The short lines increase the pace of the poem. While the end-stopped lines hinder the flow a bit. By these lines, the poet presents important ideas. Apart from that, the text does not have a specific metrical scheme. It mostly consists of the iambic-trochaic meter.

Such a metrical pattern gives this piece a conversational outlook.

Literary Devices

The title of the poem, ‘Ithaka’ is a metaphor. Cavafy presents it as a spiritual resort of Odysseus. It is his home island as well. In the text, the poet uses some other devices that are not limited to the device mentioned above. He uses repetition  in the line,“full of adventure, full of discovery.” Readers can find the use of palilogy here. In the next lines, he uses allusion of the mythical giants such as Laistrygonians and Cyclops. The seventh and eighth lines begin with a similar phrase. Therefore, these lines contain anaphora.  It is also used in the last two lines of the first stanza.

Cavafy uses alliteration n this poem too. Readers can find this device in the phrases such as “soul sets” and “wealthy with.” There are some epigrams used here. Readers come across such an epigram in these lines, “Keep Ithaka always in your mind./ Arriving there what you’re destined for.”

Detailed Analysis

Stanza One

Lines 1–5

As you set out for Ithaka

(…)

angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:

Cavafy’s ‘Ithaka’ begins without any reference to Odysseus, the epic hero. The speaker directly addresses him. It seems as if he knows Odysseus well. Thus, he seems to be a wise counselor who is guiding the hero while he sets out for Ithaca, his home island.

In Homer’s Odyssey, it takes ten eventful years for the eponymous hero to return to his homeland. On the way, he comes across several events that make him a better human being. In this poem, Cavafy specifically refers to the spiritual aspect of the journey. According to him, the road to Ithaka should be a long one. On his way, if Odysseus is adventurous at his heart, he can discover several unseen regions. It will help him to increase his knowledge as well as experience.

While he is on the voyage, he will have to face the Laistrygonians (a tribe of man-eating giants) and Cyclopes (one-eyed giants). For his encounter with the Cyclopes, he may face difficulties in the sea. Cavafy refers to the sea-god Poseidon who is the father of Cyclops. He will be angry with Odysseus as he played a trick on his sons to escape.

Besides, Poseidon is a symbol of the sea.

 So, “angry Poseidon” is a reference to the sea-storm. The speaker advises Odysseus not to be afraid of the giants as well as the angry sea.

Lines 6–13

you’ll never find things like that on your way

(…)

unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

In the next section of the first stanza, Cavafy presents a contrasting idea. Previously, the speaker has guided the hero for not being fearful of the sea and the giants. While in the first line of this section, he assures him that such things can’t be found on the way. But, some conditions should be followed.

Firstly, Odysseus has to keep his thoughts high. The way a person thinks determines the future. Therefore, if the hero is courageous in his thoughts, nothing can subdue him on the way. Secondly, if a rare kind of excitement or urge stirs his soul as well as his body, he might encounter those creatures. He can efficiently tackle a situation if he has a clarity of thoughts.

In the next lines, the speaker presents another condition concerning the difficulties on the sea. According to him, Odysseus won’t encounter those creatures unless he brings them inside his soul. So, here those creatures are metaphorically compared to the worldly attractions that blind the soul. A sinful soul always thinking about worldly pleasures will be mortally trapped by them. Therefore, Odysseus should not think about those things that make him fearful. He should nurture uplifting thoughts in his soul.

Stanza Two

Hope your road is a long one.

May there be many summer mornings when,

(…)

and may you visit many Egyptian cities

to learn and go on learning from their scholars.

In the second stanza of ‘Ithaka,’ the poet takes a different stand. After advising the hero regarding how to overcome difficulties, he shows how he can make the most of the journey. He hopes there may be several summer mornings to welcome Odysseus. It is important to note here that the “summer morning” is a symbol for life as well as hope.

When he enters the foreign harbors may there be the sunlit morning to welcome him. On his way, he may halt at the trading stations of Phoenicia (An ancient civilization that originated in the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean). There he can buy fine things such as mother of pearl and coral. He can also find the ornament made from amber and things made with ebony wood.

The hero can buy the perfumes, as many as he can, that stimulate sensual pleasure. It seems here the poet is referring to the perfumes available in Arabia. Besides, he may visit Egyptian cities where he can learn new things from wise scholars. In this way, he can prolong the journey for the betterment of his spirit and mind.

Stanza Three

Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

(…)

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

The third stanza begins with the importance of one’s homeland. According to the speaker, Odysseus should always keep the essence of Ithaka alive in his mind. His country has brought him up and given him the resources that he needed while leaving his home island. One day, he will be arriving there. It is destined to happen. But, hurrying to reach the end before incorporating the lessons learned from the journey, should not be encouraged.

The speaker thinks it should be better if his journey lasts for years. So, he will turn old by the time he reaches Ithaca. In this way, his knowledge will be increased. The same goes for his experience.

While he is about to return, he can be wealthy with all the resources he gained on the way. Bur, he should not expect his homeland to make him rich. As his motherland has already taught him how to increase intellectual wealth. So, wanting anything in return from her is mere foolishness.

Stanza Four

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

(…)

She has nothing left to give you now.

In this section, Cavafy makes it clear why Odysseus should not expect Ithaca to make him rich. According to him, the desire to return to his country has given him a marvelous journey. It is constructive in both ways, intellectually and spiritually. Without the lifelong learning he got from his motherland, he would not have set out for the journey at all. Therefore, he has to give something in return to her, rather than wanting something back.
Whatsoever, his motherland does not have anything more to offer. She gives open-heartedly to those who seek something from her. Her heart is always for the gallant souls who know how to make the most of the time given to them. Though she has nothing more to give one back, what she has already given is more valuable than wealth.

Stanza Five

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

(…)

you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.

It is important to mention here that Cavafy has used personification

 in the previous stanza as well as here. He infuses life into Ithaca and presents the island as a mother who nourished men like Odysseus.

As mentioned earlier, Odysseus might become rich before the completion of the journey. So, when he will kiss the shores after a long time, he may find his country poor. At that time, he should not be shocked. For providing nourishment to those who lived there, she is now left with nothing.

Apart from that, the journey has taught him many things. He is wiser than before and more experienced. So, on seeing Ithaca after a long time, the old Odysseus can understand “what these Ithakas mean.” One cannot understand the value of one’s motherland until one becomes ripe in experience and age.