preview

Metaphors In Ithaka

Decent Essays
Open Document

Ever wondered about the future? Well, so has Cavafy. Analyzing these poems is important because they’re relating to important things in life,like decision making. Ithaka is about taking time on the journey. Candles is about focusing on what’s ahead and not looking back. The imagery, metaphors, and shift in the stories help support the theme. The imagery in these two poems are the main reason you can see the themes so well in your head. In Ithaka, “you come into harbors seen 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--” In my head, reading this quote I picture beautiful things, out of this world. Relating back to the theme, Cavafy wants you to see these beautiful things and experience the real world. In Candles, “I don’t want to look at them; their shape saddens me,” In my head i picture a candle that has been through everything, all melted and out of it’s original shape. This relates back to the them because he doesn’t want you to look back and that is clearly stated here. Equally important, the imagery and metaphors help the reader see a picture and what’s happening in their head. …show more content…

In Ithaka, the whole poem is a metaphor for the journey of life. As stated in Ithaka, “hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.” Cavafy is stating he wants your life to be well lived and not boring with lots of experience and discoveries. This relates back to the theme because it’s saying straight up to have a good adventure; a good journey. In Candles, “golden, warm, and vivid candles” can show a glowing of life. This relates back to the theme because that’s exactly the point he’s trying to show. What’s ahead is glowing, welcoming and warm. In fact, Cavafy uses metaphors and the shift in these two poems to show

Get Access