Creator: C. P. Cavafy
Κ. Π. Καβάφης
Work Type: Poem
Date: 1917
Description:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem In the Month of Hathor delves into themes of memory, loss, and the inexorable passage of time. The poem is situated in the month of Hathor, aligning with the ancient Egyptian calendar’s third month, corresponding to late autumn—a period symbolizing decline and reflection. The narrative centers on the deep sorrow and lingering memories of a protagonist mourning a significant loss, capturing the universal human experience of grief and the enduring impact of past relationships.
Cavafy’s choice of setting the poem in the ancient month of Hathor adds a historical and cultural layer to the personal grief depicted. This connection underscores the timeless nature of human emotions and the perpetual cycle of life and death. The poem’s reflective tone and vivid imagery enhance its poignant exploration of how memories continue to affect those left behind, highlighting Cavafy’s mastery in blending personal emotion with historical context.
1. “In the Month of Hathor,” Onassis Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.onassis.org/initiatives/cavafy-archive/the-canon/in-the-month-of-hathor
2.“C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems,” translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691015378/cavafy
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem In the Month of Athyr is reflected in Yorgos Sicilianos’s Six Fantastic Pieces as an exploration of human loneliness and the passage of time. The poem, which deals with themes of grief and memory, provides a poignant look at personal loss and the lasting impact of memories. Sicilianos translates these themes into his music, capturing the depth of emotion and the sense of solitude inherent in Cavafy’s work. The orchestral piece based on this poem portrays the melancholic reflection on past experiences and the void left by the loss of loved ones. Sicilianos’s composition does not merely illustrate the poem but rather evokes the emotions and contemplations that arise from reading it, ensuring that each piece in the suite maintains its independence while collectively addressing the central theme of psychological solitude—a theme deeply cherished in Cavafy’s entire poetic oeuvre.
See: Sicilianos Archive Files #4 in Six Fantastic Pieces.
# |
Work Page |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
 |
YSC97 |
Six Fantastic Pieces |
after six poems by C. P. Cavafy |
54 |
3333-4331, Harp, Timpani, Celesta, Percussion (Xylophone, Snare Drum, Piccolo Snare, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Tam-Tam), Strings |
6. In the month of Athyr |