Cavafy is widely considered the most distinguished greek poet of the 20th century. Please note that the poems are divided in chronological categories. Cavafy s family story does not enter his poetry directly. He was born in alexandria, egypt, where his greek parents had settled in the mid1850s. A decade and a half later, edmund keeley and philip sherrard published c. Constantine cavafy, author of complete poems, on librarything. His consciously individual style earned him a place among the most importa. He revolutionized greek poetry, but his work shows clear affinities with hellenistic poetry of the alexandrian era. The only evidence of public recognition in greece during his later years was his receipt, in 1926, of the order of the phoenix from the greek. In this poem the speaker who in this case is the poet, communicates to the readers about ithaca, which was a small island found in greece. Cavafy was born konstantinos petrou kavafis or kabaphs in alexandria, egypt, into a wealthy merchant family. Cavafy 18631933 was a greek poet who lived in alexandria, egypt, and worked as a journalist and civil servant.
Cavafy appeared posthumously in 1935 in alexandria. Originally the family came from constantinople, turkey, where cavafy lived from 1880 to 1885. Feb 28, 2014 buy cavafy poems by cavafy, constantine p isbn. Five photogravures and afterwordkeep ithaka always in your mind. The only evidence of public recognition in greece during his later years was his receipt, in 1926, of the order of the phoenix from the greek dictator pangalos.
Cavafy because of a series of pictures called in the dull village by david hockney, which was inspired by cavafy s poems. This detailed literature summary also contains bibliography on ithaka by constantine p. He was sensitive to tlie point of suffenng, and that illumined his expression. He was the ninth and last child of petros cavafy, a wealthy merchant with byzantine roots. Constantine cavafy article about constantine cavafy by the. Aprile 29 aprile 17, as, 1863 aprile 29, 1933 wis an egyptian greek poet, jurnalist an ceevil servant. Waiting for the barbarians and the government shutdown. Cavafy an aa kent as konstantin or konstantinos petrou kavafis, or kavaphes.
Certainly this little drawing in pencil resembles him. Cavafy, one of the most important greek poets of all times, died in alexandria on the day of his birthday, as the citys most significant intellectual figure. Lapham and waiting for the barbarians, the 20 essay collection by daniel mendelsohn. After his fathers death in 1872 he was taken to liverpool, england, for five years. They bristle with desire, with the anguish of desire, and desire recollected in tranquility. Cavafy collected poems by cavafy, constantine p and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Cavafy, also known as konstantin or konstantinos petrou kavafis, or kavaphes was a renowned greek poet who lived in alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant. Selected poems book by constantine cavafy 2 available. Cavafy, the foremost modern greek poet, is a master at presenting a scene, an intense feeling, or an idea in direct, unornamented verse. Cavafy s collected poems and the firstever english translation of the poet s thirty unfinished poems, both featuring the fullest literary commentaries available in englishby the acclaimed critic, scholar, and awardwinning author of the lost. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
In 2009 knopf published a new translation of cavafy s complete poems by the brilliant and awardwinning writer and scholar daniel mendelsohn. Some time ago, a reader of my blog called rafael recommended me the poem ithaca by constantine p. Hurriedly drawn, on the deck of tlie ship one enchanting afternoon the ionian sea all around us. Buy selected poems 2nd edition by cavafy, constantine, cavafy, c. Forster and cast a haunting, luminous glow over lawrence durrells alexandria quartet, left us some of the most outspoken homoerotic poems. The volume that attracted auden was rae dalvens the complete poems of cavafy, which was first published in 1961. Cavafy made a careful choice of fourteen poems written since 1893, and had them privately printed early in 1905, in an edition of 100 copies with the title poems 1904. April 29 april 17, os, 1863 april 29, 1933 was a greek poet who lived in alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant. Cavafy s father died in 1870, and the business he left in alexandria proved. Cavafy, 9781841597966, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Apr 01, 2012 buy selected poems 2nd edition by cavafy, constantine, cavafy, c. While he composed daring homoerotic verse, he wrote very little about his own erotic life. They returned to alexandria in 1879 and, except for three years in constantinople and brief visits to athens and other cities, cavafy spent the rest of his life there. April 29 april 17, os, 1863 april 29, 1933 was an egyptiot greek poet, journalist and civil servant. Cavafy, english in full constantine petrou cavafy, pseudonym of konstantinos petrou kavafis, born april 29, 1863, alexandria, egyptdied april 29, 1933, alexandria, greek poet who developed his own consciously individual style and thus became one of the most important figures not only in greek poetry but in western poetry as well. In december 1904, at the age of 41, the alexandrian poet constantine p. Collected poems, a book that made an immediate impression. This is where constantine cavafy, a member of alexandrias large greek colony and the greatest greek poet since antiquity, spent thirtythree years, from 1889 to 1922, as a parttime clerk.
I read his as much as you can, and felt quite encouraged by its persuasive and warm lines. In book form cavafy s poems were first published without dates before world war ii and reprinted in 1949. His father, a prosperous export merchant from constantinople, died in 1870, and two years later the family moved to. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. As ithaca suggests, we should not wish away our time, but ask that our way be long. Cavafy by robert liddell meet your next favorite book. Now mendelsohn has made a selection of the poets bestloved works for a pocket poets edition, including such favorites as waiting for the barbarians, ithaca, and the god abandons antony. Cavafy 18631933 after reading the two poems i have settled for ithaca due to its deeper meaning. Cavafy, constantine, 18631933 lc linked data service. Cavafys father was an importerexporter whose business responsibilities frequently led him to the port city of liverpool. Cavafy s father was an importerexporter whose business responsibilities frequently led him to the port city of. Constantine p cavafy poems by the famous poet all poetry. Aug 31, 2009 discover book depositorys huge selection of constantine p cavafy books online. The historic and erotic from the june 15, 1972 issue.
April 29 april 17, os, 1863 april 29, 1933 was an ethnic greek poet who lived in alexandria and worked as a journalist and civil servant. Coetzees 1980 novel waiting for the barbarians is named for the poem, as are waiting for the barbarians, the 1998 essay collection by lewis h. In book form, cavafys poems were first published without dates before world war ii and reprinted in 1949. Not a single letter addresses the topic in any detail, nor is there a journal or a diary devoted to it. Constantine peter cavafy was an egyptiot greek poet, journalist and civil servant. As a result, few traces of his homosexuality remain in the archive. This volume of 154 poems by contantine cavafy is the entire body of work by the artist widely considered a master of modern greek poetry.
Not a single letter addresses the topic in any detail, nor is. Constantine cavafy is considered the greatest of modern greek poets. A book cavafy read diligently is edward gibbons decline and fall of the roman empire, which cavafy filled with fervent notes of violent disagreement and occasional assent. May 31, 20 the poet constantine cavafy, around 1900. Better if it lasts for years so youre old by the time you reach the island. Simply put, if you buy a book i recommend, a very small percent contributes to the running costs of the blog. His poems treat historical, philosophical, and erot. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising.
Favorite 0 fans translation find a translation for this poem in other languages. Constantine cavafy project gutenberg selfpublishing. Cavafy s father was an importerexporter whose business responsibilities frequently led him to the port city of liverpool, england. Published only privately during his lifetime, cavafy s poems achieved international acclaim when writers such as e. Cavafy poems english here you can find the complete list and read all of cavafys published poems 154 and a few of his unpublished ones. Constantine cavafy 18631933, the alexandrian greek poet whose poetry dazzled e. A meticulous and severely selfcritical writer, it was his. The first version of ithaka was probably written in 1894. Cavafy, constantine, pen name of konstantinos petrou kavafis. Cavafy also known as konstantin or konstantinos petrou kavafis, or kavaphes. Constantine cavafy lived in relative obscurity for most of his 70 years, but is now considered one of the most powerful and important poets of the twentieth century. Purchase a framed print of this image each print has an approximate image size of 7 x 10, is printed on heavy white archival paper, and comes in a matte black woodcomposite 12. Constantine cavafy, first edition abebooks passion for books.
Discover book depositorys huge selection of constantine p cavafy books online. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. This timely biographical reissue, updated for students and poetry lovers alike, explores the man behind the words, and reveals a scintillating life shaped by beauty, complexity. Born in alexandria, egypt, he spent most of his life there, but lived for about five years in england. His most important poetry was written after his fortieth birthday. Cavafy revised the poem in 1910, and it was first published in 1911. But whereas theoharis constantine theoharis literarily distinguished before time could change them 2001 let several naive impressions of greekless readers stand, and aliki barnstones yet more readable collected poems of c. Selected poems has 2 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Auden and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Nov 21, 2012 like so many selfhelp books advise, the poem urges you to live for the journey rather than the expected endpoint, in order to have a flourishing and fulfilling life. Cavafy label from public data source wikidata sources found. Oct 01, 20 his other books include two memoirs, the lost. Instead it appears in his thinking about transition, change, decline, and passage from one world order to another. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of ithaka.