‘These fought in any case’
Ezra Pound's poem 'These fought in any case' from 'Hugh Selwyn Mauberley' is a critique of the motivations and consequences of World War I. The poem reflects on the various reasons people went to war, ranging from personal beliefs to societal pressures, and the disillusionment that followed. Pound uses phrases like 'pro domo' and 'pro patria' to highlight the personal and national justifications for war, while also mocking the notion of dying for one's country as 'sweet and fitting' (a reference to the Latin phrase 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori'). The poem conveys a sense of betrayal and disillusionment with the 'old men's lies' and the societal structures that led to such destruction. It also touches on the physical and emotional toll of war, with references to 'young blood' and 'disillusions as never told.' The imagery of 'broken statues' and 'battered books' symbolizes the cultural and intellectual losses incurred. Overall, the poem is a powerful commentary on the futility and devastation of war, reflecting Pound's modernist perspective and his critique of contemporary society.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| pro domo | for one's own home | for personal benefit | pro doh-moh |
| pro patria | for one's country | for the nation | pro pah-tree-ah |
| dulce | sweet | sweet | dool-cheh |
| decor | fitting | fitting | deh-kor |
| usury | lending money at high interest | lending money at high interest | yoo-zuh-ree |
| infamy | disgrace | disgrace | in-fuh-mee |
| fortitude | courage | courage | for-ti-tood |
| disillusions | loss of beliefs | loss of beliefs | dis-il-loo-zhuns |
| myriad | many | many | mir-ee-uhd |
| botched | ruined | poorly done | botchd |
| gross | large quantity | a dozen dozen (144) | grohs |
Ezra Weston Loomis Pound (1885–1972) was an American poet and critic, a major figure in the early modernist poetry movement. He was influential in developing Imagism and helped shape the work of contemporaries such as T.S. Eliot and James Joyce. His later years were marked by controversial political views and activities.
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