The Earthly Paradise Poem Analysis
"The Earthly Paradise" is a lengthy narrative poem written by English poet and artist William Morris, published in 1868-1870. The work is comprised of a series of twenty-four framed stories, which are told by medieval wanderers who have set out on a quest to find the Earthly Paradise – an idealized, utopian world free from the suffering and imperfections of earthly life.
These wanderers, a group of Norsemen, discover an idyllic island inhabited by a community of Greeks who had fled the fall of Constantinople. Each month, the Greeks and the Norsemen exchange stories, with the Norsemen recounting tales from Norse mythology and the Greeks telling stories from classical mythology. The poem is a blend of mythological and legendary stories, including adaptations of Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale" and "The Man of Law's Tale."
Morris's "The Earthly Paradise" reflects his deep appreciation for medieval literature and his fascination with myth and legend. The poem is written in a style reminiscent of Chaucer, with clear, descriptive language and a strong emphasis on storytelling. Additionally, the poem's structure, with its interwoven stories and frame narrative, is similar to that of "The Canterbury Tales."
The poem explores themes of human longing, the passage of time, and the search for an ideal world. The Earthly Paradise represents a place where the sorrows, pain, and losses of life are absent, and the characters' pursuit of this paradise symbolizes the human desire for happiness and contentment. The work also delves into the nature of art, as the stories shared by the characters serve as a means of escaping the hardships of their lives and provide them with comfort and solace.
In summary, "The Earthly Paradise" is a rich and complex work that combines elements of myth and legend with themes of human longing, the passage of time, and the search for an ideal world. Through its intricate narrative structure and engaging storytelling, the poem showcases Morris's deep appreciation for medieval literature and his mastery of poetic language.