But poets were not considered dangerous and they were advised to exercise self-censorship. At most, poets were requested not to write at all. I took advantage of this negative liberty.
Eugenio MontaleRead
There is also poetry written to be shouted in a square in front of an enthusiastic crowd. This occurs especially in countries where authoritarian regimes are in power.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the role of poetry as a form of expression, particularly in politically charged environments.
Eugenio Montale's quote emphasizes the power of poetry as a medium for vocal expression, especially in contexts where free speech is suppressed by authoritarian regimes. It suggests that poetry can serve as a rallying cry for the oppressed, allowing for communal solidarity and emotional release in front of passionate audiences, transcending mere literary appreciation to become a tool for resistance and empowerment.
In practice
During a literary event discussing the role of art in activism.
But poets were not considered dangerous and they were advised to exercise self-censorship. At most, poets were requested not to write at all. I took advantage of this negative liberty.
There is poetry even in prose, in all the great prose which is not merely utilitarian or didactic: there exist poets who write in prose or at least in more or less apparent prose; millions of poets write verses which have no connection with poetry.
Mass communication, radio, and especially television, have attempted, not without success, to annihilate every possibility of solitude and reflection.
It has often been observed that the repercussion of poetic language on prose language can be considered a decisive cut of a whip.
I have always knocked at the door of that wonderful and terrible enigma which is life.
For my part, if I consider poetry as an object, I maintain that it is born of the necessity of adding a vocal sound (speech) to the hammering of the first tribal music.
I found that dance, music, and literature is how I made sense of the world... it pushed me to think of things bigger than life's daily routines... to think beyond what is immediate or convenient.
I think cooks that are just interested in molecular gastronomy are cooks that will never be chefs.
The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago.
Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
When I do listen to music, I'm more prone to listen to the people I've always listened to: George Jones, Otis Redding, Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris.
I'm always drawn to stories that people don't know about, particularly when they're inside of a story that everyone knows about.
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