Il Faut Laisser Maisons..

Analysis of “Il Faut Laisser Maisons...” “Il Faut Laisser Maisons...” is a poem written by Pierre Ronsard and published in the book Derniers vers de Pierre de Ronsard in 1586. This poem’s central idea is that the spirit is more important than the body, because the spirit has far fewer limits than the body. As soon as one dies, the spirit is free from the bonds of the body. These lines: “Laissant pourir ça-bas sa dépouille de boue” and “Franc des liens du corps, pour n’être qu’un esprit.” show that Ronsard succeeds in establishing the theme by making it clear that it is necessary to leave the possessions of this world and material things to become a spirit. Ronsard is the speaker of the poem which takes place late in his life. “C’est fait! j’ai dévidé le cours de mes destins” and “J’ai vécu, j’ai rendu mon nom assez insigne,” prove that Ronsard has lived awhile and accomplished some things in life. Ronsard intends to teach a significant moral lesson which is the theme. The message is implied, because Ronsard wishes and challenges the reader to interpret and look deeply to understand this moral lesson. He places most emphasis on ideas to help develop this message. Ronsard skillfully develops the poem’s mood, one of inspiration and thoughtfulness. He believes in the freedom of the spirit in life after death. This line: “Heureux qui ne fut onc, plus heureux qui retourne” illustrates the poet’s pensive mood and logical thinking. Ronsard feels that it is better to have lived than never to have lived at all. He thinks deeply about what must be given up and accomplished to become a spirit.

Ronsard also knows that there is always hope once he becomes a spirit. Pierre Ronsard uses examples of personification and symbolism to emphasize the theme and to create a deeper meaning of the poem. One example of symbolism is the second line: “que l’artisan burine”(that the artist engraves) which represents something eternal or everlasting that he leaves behind. “Et chanter son obsèque en la façon du cygne”(And sings his funeral song in the manner of a swan) in the third line shows symbolism and personification. The symbolism of a funeral song of a swan signifies the end of something or death. Ronsard personifies a swan as a human singing his own funeral song. The words in line eleven, “Jésus-Christ(Jesus Christ), represent salvation and everlasting hope for those seeking everlasting hope. This line: “Dont le Sort, la Fortune et le Destin se joue”(Fate, Fortune, and Destiny make fun) personifies that Fate, Destiny, and Fortune, like little children, play with the useless corpse of mud, while the bonds of the body are freed. The first three stanzas present the situation of the poem and the thoughts of Ronsard, while the final stanza has the greatest impact and strongest feelings of the author. This poem uses some description like the things he must leave behind(maisons et vergers et jardins, etc.). He frequently speaks of nature(flowers, trees, etc.) and of love. The examples of description help to create his intended effect by showing that he must be less concerned with material things. This lyric poem is a sonnet consisting of four stanzas(4,4,3,3) and fourteen lines. Written in meter verse with twelve syllables per line, the rhyme scheme is “rime Embrassées”: abba, abba, ccd, eef.

The language contributes to the mood through such words as “Jésus-Christ” and “Franc les liens.” His concrete words include “maisons et vergers,” etc. while his connotative words are “ sa dépouille de boue” and “son obsèque.” His uses of assonance are “laisser maisons” and “fait - dévidé,” while his diction is one of simplicity. Writing mostly Alexandrian poems and sonnets, Ronsard uses classical style which affects the meaning of the poem by his examples of nature such as “vergers et jardins.” His style also affects the mood through his personal experience, because he bases many of his poems on his life. This poem reveals that Ronsard is an optimistic and realistic man of action who closely observes life, especially nature. This poem is interesting, because it is about something that all will have to experience in life. The poem is good and lasting, because it teaches a lesson that the importance of life is what comes after human death. This work of poetry adds to one’s understanding of human nature by helping him establish his priorities.
 

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