At Verona by Oscar Wilde
“At Verona” is a deeply introspective poem by Irish dramatist, writer, and poet Oscar Wilde, featured in his first poetry collection Poems. In this piece, Wilde explores themes of exile, despair, and the resilience of the human spirit. Readers interested in exploring more of Wilde’s poetic expressions can find other captivating works in the online book Poems available at PageVio.
1. The Poem
How steep the stairs within Kings’ houses are
For exile-wearied feet as mine to tread,
And O how salt and bitter is the bread
Which falls from this Hound’s table,—better far
That I had died in the red ways of war,
Or that the gate of Florence bare my head,
Than to live thus, by all things comraded
Which seek the essence of my soul to mar.
‘Curse God and die: what better hope than this?
He hath forgotten thee in all the bliss
Of his gold city, and eternal day’—
Nay peace: behind my prison’s blinded bars
I do possess what none can take away
My love, and all the glory of the stars.
Size: 8″ x 12″ (2:3 ratio)
Format: PDF
Copyright information: For personal use only
Note: Actual poster background color is white. For the sample poster, the background is made gray for illustration purpose.
2. At Verona Analysis
“At Verona” expresses the anguish and contemplation of an individual in exile, possibly a noble or someone of high status, who is grappling with the loss of their former life and the hardships of their current situation.
The opening lines describe the physical and emotional difficulty of living in exile. The “steep stairs within Kings’ houses” metaphorically represent the challenging new circumstances the speaker must navigate, a stark contrast to their previous life. The bread from the “Hound’s table” symbolizes the meager sustenance and comfort available to him in exile, tasting “salt and bitter,” reflecting their sense of humiliation and hardship.
The speaker expresses a preference for a more honorable death in war or a public execution (“the gate of Florence bare my head”) over the ignominy of their current life, surrounded by things that “seek the essence of my soul to mar,” indicating a deep sense of despair and loss of identity.
The despair deepens as the speaker considers a nihilistic suggestion: “Curse God and die.” This reflects the depth of their suffering, feeling abandoned and forgotten by God amidst the “bliss of his gold city, and eternal day.”
However, the poem concludes with a note of resilience and inner strength. Despite being physically confined and in a state of despair (“behind my prison’s blinded bars”), the speaker claims possession of something unassailable: “My love, and all the glory of the stars.” This line signifies an inner, spiritual freedom and wealth that cannot be taken from them, regardless of their physical circumstances. The stars could symbolize a higher purpose or eternal beauty that remains a source of inspiration and solace.
In essence, the poem navigates the journey from despair and a sense of betrayal to a realization of the enduring nature of love and the sublime, which provide comfort and inner peace even in the most challenging circumstances. The final couplet, in particular, shifts the tone from one of despair to one of defiant hope and inner strength.
3. Conclusion
May Oscar Wilde’s “At Verona,” with its poignant reflections on exile and enduring love, resonate with you. Delve deeper into Wilde’s poetic universe with our selection of his works.
