On its face, it seems to record the result of the Titanomachy. "The proud heart" (Atlas himself) joined the battle, which, had it been won, he apparently thought would bring "eternal bliss" to the winners. As it was lost, he paid a heavy price indeed.
But it could have a subtext. Anyone alive could fit the situation portrayed in stanza 1, if it's allowed that every living creature bears the world's "unbearable" weight and burdensomeness. But how would the "proud heart" he castigates fit into such a reading. The author didn't visit Earth by choice. At any rate, my guess is that the author identified with Atlas; may've thought he shared with him the "true wretchedness" of bearing the world's weight.
Going to war can leave you vastly worse off than you were before the battle. That message comes through clearly.
They do indeed. The programmer knew how to get the desired result.
What always happens after arrival are various species of torture followed by one form or another of execution.
I liked reading it according to my own perspective. Still, I don't think my interpretation of stanza 1 is far-fetched. He might well have had his personal situation in mind, and identified with Atlas. I found the poem nicely written and agreeable enough.
I use the term "proud heart" in one of my own ditties, and in a way, I think, the writer under discussion would understand--maybe. Reciting it just now to myself, I can see how it could elude.
On its face, it seems to record the result of the Titanomachy. "The proud heart" (Atlas himself) joined the battle, which, had it been won, he apparently thought would bring "eternal bliss" to the winners. As it was lost, he paid a heavy price indeed.
But it could have a subtext. Anyone alive could fit the situation portrayed in stanza 1, if it's allowed that every living creature bears the world's "unbearable" weight and burdensomeness. But how would the "proud heart" he castigates fit into such a reading. The author didn't visit Earth by choice. At any rate, my guess is that the author identified with Atlas; may've thought he shared with him the "true wretchedness" of bearing the world's weight.
Going to war can leave you vastly worse off than you were before the battle. That message comes through clearly.
A lot of people want the world.
But we all know what usually happens once they get it.
Der Atlas is an apt metaphor.
They do indeed. The programmer knew how to get the desired result.
What always happens after arrival are various species of torture followed by one form or another of execution.
I liked reading it according to my own perspective. Still, I don't think my interpretation of stanza 1 is far-fetched. He might well have had his personal situation in mind, and identified with Atlas. I found the poem nicely written and agreeable enough.
I use the term "proud heart" in one of my own ditties, and in a way, I think, the writer under discussion would understand--maybe. Reciting it just now to myself, I can see how it could elude.