Creator: C. P. Cavafy
Κ. Π. Καβάφης
Work Type: Poem
Date: 1911
Description:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem The God Abandons Antony was written in 1911 and is one of his most famous works. The poem is inspired by the historical event of Mark Antony’s final moments in Alexandria before his defeat by Octavian (later Augustus). Cavafy uses this historical backdrop to explore themes of loss, resignation, and the dignity in facing the inevitable with courage.
In the poem, Cavafy imagines the god Dionysus abandoning Antony, signaling the end of his era of triumph and indulgence. The poem advises Antony to accept his fate with grace and to recall his past joys without fear or lamentation as the god departs. This departure is symbolic of the end of Antony’s grandeur and the onset of his downfall, but Cavafy presents it in a way that emphasizes the nobility in accepting one’s destiny.
The poem is often interpreted as a broader reflection on human experience, dealing with the themes of change, the passage of time, and the loss of glory. It encourages readers to face their own adversities with composure, remembering the good times with a sense of gratitude and poise.
1. “The God Abandons Antony,” Onassis Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.onassis.org/initiatives/cavafy-archive/the-canon/the-god-abandons-antony
2.“The God Abandons Antony by C.P. Cavafy,” Poetry Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51292/the-god-abandons-antony
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem The God Abandons Antony and its interpretation in Yorgos Sicilianos’s Six Fantastic Pieces both explore themes of loss, resignation, and the dignity in facing inevitable defeat. In the poem, Cavafy reflects on the moment when Mark Antony realizes that the god Dionysus has abandoned him, symbolizing the end of his era of triumph and indulgence. Cavafy uses this historical moment to suggest a broader message about the grace and courage required to accept one’s fate. Sicilianos translates this theme into his orchestral composition, capturing the emotional depth and gravity of Antony’s realization. The music evokes the sense of resignation and the poignant dignity that Cavafy’s poem portrays, highlighting the human experience of confronting and accepting the end of an era. Both works reflect on the broader human condition, emphasizing the universal themes of change, loss, and the passage of time.
See: Sicilianos Archive Files #4 in Six Fantastic Pieces.
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1 |
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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 |
5. The God Abandons Antony |