Constantine P. Cavafy – An Unconventional, Iconic Figure Who Left His Poetic Marc to the World
Cavafy remains one of the most distinguished Greek poets, widely known for this poem ‘Ithaca’
Ithaca
As you set out on the way to Ithaca
hope that the road is a long one,
filled with adventures, filled with understanding.
[…]
Please take a moment to read the whole poem (out loud if you can), if you are not aware of it.
Most of you reading these lines probably already know that Cavafy was a Greek born in Egypt, was a homosexual, lived a vivid life and is placed among the most important figures of the Greek Poetry Scene. This post aims to inform you of a few distinctive facts about his life, as well as present a favorite poem of mine.
If you wish to read his full biography, I suggest that you visit the Official Website of the Cavafy Archive or his Wikipedia page
Constantine Peter Cavafy was born in April 29 1863 and died in April 29 1933 (aged 70) years old.
He wanted his family name to be spelled as Constantine Petrou Photiades Cavafy in English.
His parents were from Constantinople and he was very proud of his heritage.
Cavafy was the youngest son in the family, having 6 (!) more brothers.
Cavafy’s family was financially independent during their lives in Egypt, but after his father’s death, they moved to England. At that time, Cavafy was 9 years old (1872)
At the age of eighteen (18), Cavafy had started to draft his Historical Dictionary.
Cavafy was very conscientious in regards to his job and he managed to keep his temporary job as a clerk in the Ministry of Public Works in Egypt for 30 years (renewed annually)
His first published work was an article “Coral, from a Mythological Viewpoint” in a newspaper in 1886.
Cavafy started living on his own when he became 45. Shortly after that, he would devote himself to writing poetry, while he started isolating himself from social events.
He used to write his poems in Greek.
Cavafy would not publish his works in a book (refusing such offers), but instead preferred to publish poems in periodicals and newspapers and after create private collections containing his publications.
Cavafy is said to have had an illegitimate son with the seamstress Helen Singhopoulo (employed by Cavafy’s mother). His name was Aleko and his facial resemblance with Constantine Cavafy would not go unnoticed. Aleko was later designated as Cavafy’s heir.
Cavafy was a smoker and the first health problems occurred in 1932 with throat aches, and the doctors diagnosed larynx cancer.
In Athens he had a tracheotomy which left him incapable of speaking, and he returned home in Alexandria when he passed away in a nearby Greek hospital.
In the past, he had said:
«Where could I live better? Under me is a house of ill repute, which caters to the needs of the flesh. Over there is the church, where sins are forgiven. And beyond is the hospital, where we die»
source
The first collection of 154 Cavafy poems, would be published by Rika Singhopoulo after his death.
Cavafy’s House in Alexandria has been converted to a Museum and it includes pictures of him and his family as well as original drafts and manuscripts. Most of his furniture has been sold by his heirs but his library remains to this day.
Morning Sea
Morning Sea
Let me stop here. Let me, too, look at nature awhile.
The brilliant blue of the morning sea, of the cloudless sky,
the yellow shore; all lovely,
all bathed in light.
Let me stand here. And let me pretend I see all this
(I really did see it for a minute when I first stopped)
and not my usual day-dreams here too,
my memories, those images of sensual pleasure.
Translated by Edmund Keeley/Philip Sherrard
(C.P. Cavafy, Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Edited by George Savidis. Revised Edition. Princeton University Press, 1992)
Θάλασσα του Πρωιού
Εδώ ας σταθώ. Κι ας δω κ’ εγώ την φύσι λίγο.
Θάλασσας του πρωιού κι ανέφελου ουρανού
λαμπρά μαβιά, και κίτρινη όχθη• όλα
ωραία και μεγάλα φωτισμένα.
Εδώ ας σταθώ. Κι ας γελασθώ πως βλέπω αυτά
(τα είδ’ αλήθεια μια στιγμή σαν πρωτοστάθηκα)•
κι όχι κ’ εδώ τες φαντασίες μου,
τες αναμνήσεις μου, τα ινδάλματα της ηδονής.
(Από τα Ποιήματα 1897-1933, Ίκαρος 1984)
GR: http://www.kavafis.gr/poems/content.asp?id=14&cat=1
EN: http://www.cavafy.com/poems/content.asp?id=67&cat=1
Cavafy’s poetry is taught in schools both in Greece, Cyprus but also all around the world. His contribution of spreading Greek Poetry all over the world was vital. His (at times) unconventional writing for his era contained a unique style and he is known for his prose and vivid historical elements in his poetry.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_P._Cavafy
http://www.cavafy.com/companion/bio.asp
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey/galleries/Exhibits/cavafy/hiddenthings.html
Image CCO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_P._Cavafy#/media/File:Cavafy1900.jpg
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