# Act I explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Matthew Arnold.

## What happens

Empedocles delivers a philosophical discourse to Pausanias on the nature of human suffering, the futility of blaming gods or fate, and the necessity of self-knowledge and acceptance of life's limitations. He argues that humans are not kings of the world but strangers born into a pre-existing order, and that true wisdom lies in understanding one's own nature rather than seeking external causes for discontent. The chapter concludes with Callicles singing of Cadmus and Harmonia finding peace in the Illyrian hills after their tribulations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Burden of Consciousness

Empedocles explores the weight of self-awareness and the human tendency to invent gods and fates to blame for suffering, urging instead a deep introspection into one's own soul.

### Isolation and Estrangement

The poem emphasizes that humans are 'strangers here' in a world that does not exist solely for their welfare, highlighting a fundamental alienation from nature and the cosmos.

### Nature and Transcendence

Callicles' song offers a vision of transcendence through nature, as Cadmus and Harmonia find peace in the Illyrian hills, contrasting with Empedocles' more austere philosophy.

## Character check-ins

### Empedocles

Delivers a lengthy philosophical monologue to Pausanias, arguing against blaming gods or fate for human suffering and advocating for self-examination and acceptance of life's limits.

### Pausanias

The silent listener to Empedocles' discourse, addressed directly as 'thou son of Anchitus' and 'Pausanias'.

### Callicles

Sings at the end of the chapter, providing a lyrical contrast with the tale of Cadmus and Harmonia finding peace in the Illyrian hills.

## Key lines

> We mark not the world's course, but would have it take ours.

We ignore the actual way the world works and instead try to force it to conform to our desires.

_Empedocles criticizes humanity's refusal to accept reality and its insistence on imposing its own will on the world._

> Sink in thyself! there ask what ails thee, at that shrine!

Look inward to find the true source of your troubles, as if consulting an oracle within yourself.

_Empedocles advocates for introspection as the path to understanding and alleviating one's own suffering._

> Born into life—'tis we, And not the world, are new.

We are the newcomers in an ancient world; the world itself is old and unchanging.

_Empedocles emphasizes that human existence is a recent addition to a pre-existing, indifferent universe._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_16_se/chapters/act-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_16_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_16_se/chapters