The Great Breath

George William Russell's The Great Breath

Introduction

George William Russell, better known by his pseudonym Æ, was a pivotal figure in the Irish Literary Revival of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His poem "The Great Breath" exemplifies the mystical and philosophical underpinnings that characterized much of his work. This essay delves into the intricate layers of meaning, symbolism, and aesthetic technique employed by Russell in this short yet profoundly evocative piece. Through close textual analysis and contextual consideration, we will explore how "The Great Breath" encapsulates Russell's vision of cosmic unity and the ephemeral nature of beauty, while also reflecting broader themes of the Celtic Revival and theosophical thought.

Structural and Formal Analysis

"The Great Breath" consists of three quatrains, each following an ABAB rhyme scheme. The alternation between iambic pentameter in the first and third lines of each stanza with iambic trimeter in the second and fourth creates a rhythmic undulation that mirrors the poem's thematic concern with breath and cosmic cycles. This metrical choice is not merely ornamental but serves to reinforce the poem's central conceit of a universal, pulsating force that animates all existence.

The poem's structure can be seen as a triptych, with each stanza representing a distinct phase in the cosmic cycle Russell envisions. The first stanza depicts the fading of day, the second captures a moment of transition and awakening, and the third contemplates the ultimate fate of beauty itself. This tripartite structure echoes the Hindu concept of the Trimurti—creation, preservation, and destruction—a philosophical idea that would have resonated with Russell given his deep interest in Eastern mysticism.

Imagery and Symbolism

Russell's imagery is rich and multifaceted, blending natural phenomena with metaphysical concepts. The opening lines, "Its edges foamed with amethyst and rose, / Withers once more the old blue flower of day," immediately establish a visual palette that is both vivid and ethereal. The metaphor of day as a "blue flower" not only personifies time but also invokes the Romantic symbol of the blue flower, associated with longing and the quest for the infinite.

The ether that "like a diamond glows" in the third line introduces a cosmic dimension to the imagery, suggesting a rarefied realm beyond the terrestrial. This interplay between the earthly and the celestial is a recurring motif in Russell's work, reflecting his belief in the interconnectedness of all levels of existence.

The second stanza shifts focus to the awakening of nature, with "shadowy tumult" and "sparkle the delicate dews" creating a sense of anticipation and renewal. The mention of "distant snows" expands the poem's spatial scope, encompassing vast landscapes within its contemplative gaze. The "great deep" that "thrills" can be interpreted as both the ocean and the cosmos itself, trembling with the "breath of Beauty."

In the final stanza, Russell's imagery becomes more abstract and temporally expansive. The "trembling ages past" evokes a sense of historical vertigo, with time itself portrayed as a sentient, quivering entity. The personification of Beauty as a being that "breathes her last / And knows herself in death" brings the poem to a poignant climax, suggesting both the transience of beauty and its self-awareness in the face of mortality.

Thematic Exploration

At its core, "The Great Breath" is a meditation on the nature of beauty, time, and cosmic cycles. The titular "breath" can be understood as a metaphor for the animating force of the universe, akin to the concept of prana in Hindu philosophy or the Holy Spirit in Christian mysticism. Russell posits this breath as the essence of beauty itself, a force that permeates and shapes all of existence.

The poem's treatment of time is particularly nuanced. While the fading of day in the first stanza might suggest a linear progression, the cyclical nature of this occurrence ("Withers once more") hints at a more circular conception of time. This is further reinforced in the final stanza, where the "trembling ages past" are depicted as being "Moulded to her by deep and deeper breath," suggesting that time itself is subject to the shaping influence of the cosmic breath.

Russell's exploration of beauty is tinged with a melancholic awareness of its impermanence. The final lines, where Beauty "breathes her last / And knows herself in death," present a paradox: the moment of highest self-realization coincides with the moment of dissolution. This can be read as a commentary on the nature of enlightenment or the attainment of ultimate knowledge, which in many mystical traditions is associated with a kind of death of the individual self.

Philosophical and Mystical Underpinnings

Russell's theosophical beliefs deeply inform "The Great Breath." The concept of a unifying cosmic force that animates all existence is central to theosophical thought, which sought to synthesize elements of various religious and philosophical traditions. The poem's suggestion of cycles of creation and dissolution aligns with theosophical ideas about the evolution of consciousness and the universe.

Moreover, the poem reflects Russell's interest in Neo-Platonism, particularly in its treatment of beauty as a transcendent force. The idea that beauty "knows herself in death" echoes the Neo-Platonic concept of the soul's journey towards self-realization and ultimate union with the divine.

The influence of Celtic mythology is also palpable in the poem's atmospheric qualities and its treatment of nature as imbued with spiritual significance. This fusion of Celtic and Eastern philosophical elements was characteristic of the Irish Literary Revival, which sought to forge a distinctive Irish cultural identity that was both rooted in native traditions and open to global influences.

Stylistic and Literary Technique

Russell's poetic technique in "The Great Breath" is marked by a deft use of assonance and consonance to create a sense of musicality and flow. The repetition of soft consonants like 'm' and 'th' throughout the poem contributes to its breathlike quality, while the assonance in phrases like "ether like a diamond" creates a shimmering sonic effect that complements the imagery.

The poet's use of personification is particularly striking, extending beyond the central figure of Beauty to encompass day, the great deep, and even time itself. This animistic approach to natural phenomena reflects both Russell's mystical worldview and the influence of Celtic folklore on his poetic imagination.

Russell's diction is carefully chosen to straddle the line between the concrete and the abstract. Words like "foamed," "withers," and "sparkle" provide tangible, sensory anchors, while "ether," "trembling ages," and "Beauty" gesture towards the ineffable and the cosmic. This linguistic balancing act allows the poem to function on multiple levels simultaneously, inviting both immediate sensory appreciation and deeper philosophical contemplation.

Conclusion

"The Great Breath" stands as a testament to George William Russell's ability to distill complex philosophical and mystical concepts into a form of sublime lyric poetry. Through its masterful blend of imagery, rhythm, and ideas, the poem offers a vision of the universe as a living, breathing entity, pulsating with the force of beauty and consciousness.

Russell's work exemplifies the aims of the Irish Literary Revival in its synthesis of Celtic heritage, global philosophical traditions, and modernist poetic techniques. "The Great Breath" invites readers to contemplate their place within the vast cycles of existence, while also celebrating the fleeting yet eternal nature of beauty.

As we continue to grapple with questions of meaning, transience, and the nature of reality in our contemporary world, Russell's poem remains remarkably relevant. It reminds us of the power of poetry to bridge the gap between the personal and the universal, the momentary and the eternal. In its gentle oscillations between day and night, awakening and dissolution, "The Great Breath" continues to resonate, inviting each new generation of readers to pause and listen to the cosmic rhythms that Russell so eloquently captured.

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