Poetry

Assisi

Summary of the poem:

• The poem "Assisi" by Norman MacCaig describes a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
• The basilica was built in honor of St. Francis, a priest known for his devotion to poverty and compassion for the poor.
• MacCaig exposes the irony that this grand church, meant to celebrate St. Francis's simple philosophy, has become a symbol of hypocrisy

Form of the poem:

• The poem is divided into three stanzas, each focusing on different aspects of the visit.
• The first stanza introduces the disabled beggar outside the basilica.
• The second stanza centers on a priest who serves as a tour guide.
• The third stanza explores the tourists' reaction to the beggar.
• The poem is written in free verse with irregular stanzas, creating a conversational, accessible style.

Summary of each stanza:

Stanza One:

In the first stanza of Norman MacCaig's poem "Assisi," the poet introduces a disabled beggar sitting outside the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. MacCaig employs vivid and grotesque imagery to depict the beggar's physical deformities, emphasizing his pitiful state. There is a stark contrast between the beggar's suffering and the grandeur of the three-tiered church. This contrast serves to highlight the incongruity between the church's architectural complexity and the simplicity of St. Francis's teachings. The stanza uses irony to question the appropriateness of honoring St. Francis with such opulent buildings.

---

Poetry

Stanza Two:

The second stanza shifts the focus to a priest who is acting as a tour guide inside the church. The priest explains the cleverness of the artist Giotto in using frescoes to convey religious messages to illiterate people. However, MacCaig implicitly criticizes the priest for his pride and lack of empathy towards the beggar sitting outside. There is a suggestion that the priest values the artwork more than the spiritual message it carries. The stanza underscores the irony of the priest's role as a religious guide while ignoring the suffering occurring just beyond the church's walls.

Stanza Three:

In the third stanza, attention turns to the tourists who are following the priest as he guides them through the church. MacCaig describes the tourists as mindless followers, using the metaphor of chickens clucking contentedly. The priest is portrayed as scattering "the grain of the Word" to these tourists, suggesting their obliviousness to the beggar's plight. The poet also compares the beggar to a "ruined temple," emphasizing his suffering and marginalization. He describes the beggar's physical deformities in detail, followed by a poignant contrast highlighting the sweetness of the beggar's voice when he says "Grazie." The final comparison likens the beggar to the birds that St. Francis used to feed, highlighting his vulnerability and innocence.

Themes

Suffering:

• The poem highlights the suffering of the disabled beggar, emphasizing his physical deformities.
• Quote: "sat, slumped like a half-filled sack... tiny twisted legs from which sawdust might run."
• Point: The vivid imagery evokes empathy for the beggar's plight and underscores society's apathy toward suffering.

---

Poetry

Poverty:

• The poem portrays the stark contrast between the opulent basilica and the beggar's destitution.
• Quote: "outside the three tiers of churches... built in honor of St Francis, brother of the poor."
• Point: It critiques the disparity between the church's wealth and St. Francis's message of poverty and compassion.

Hypocrisy of the Church:

• The poem exposes the hypocrisy of the church through the actions of the priest and tourists.
• Quote: "how clever it was of Giotto... reveal to the illiterate the goodness of God and the suffering of His Son."
• Point: It criticises the priest's pride and lack of compassion, contrasting it with the teachings of Christ and St. Francis.

Images

The Beggar:

• The description of the beggar's physical deformities creates a vivid and unsettling image.
• Quote: "sat, slumped like a half-filled sack... tiny twisted legs... eyes wept pus."
• Point: These images dehumanize the beggar, emphasizing his suffering and vulnerability.

The Basilica as a Lavish Temple:

• The poem contrasts the beggar with the grandeur of the basilica, portraying it as an extravagant temple.
• Quote: "the three tiers of churches... used to honor a priest with such simple, plain tastes."
• Point: The image underscores the disconnect between the church's opulence and St. Francis's humble philosophy.

---

Poetry

Style Techniques

Allusion:

• The poem alludes to the biblical Parable of the Sower, connecting the priest's actions to a religious reference.
• This highlights the contrast between the priest's intellectual pride and his failure to show compassion.

Irony:

• The poem employs irony to emphasize the contrast between the church's intended purpose and its current state.
• Irony is evident when the priest discusses Giotto's art while ignoring the beggar's suffering.

Language Techniques

Metaphor:

• The beggar is metaphorically referred to as a "ruined temple," highlighting his worthiness and the neglect he faces.
• This metaphor underscores the theme of poverty and the church's failure to uphold its principles.

Sound Effects (Sibilance)

• Sibilance is used in phrases like "slumped like a half-filled sack," creating a hissing sound that draws attention to the beggar's condition and emphasises his appearance.

---

Poetry

Personal reflection

1. How does the poem's vivid imagery of the beggar's suffering make you reconsider the way society often overlooks those in need?

2. In what ways does the poet's portrayal of the church's opulence versus the beggar's destitution challenge your perspective on the values of religion and compassion?

3. Reflect on the poem's depiction of the priest's pride and the tourists' obliviousness to the beggar's plight. How does this affect your view of the role of individual responsibility in addressing social inequality?