Flight to the Sun

Many seek out the true secret to living the perfect life at some point. C.P. Cavafy’s “Ithaca” and Jack Gilbert’s “Failing and Falling” hint at their own ideas concerning living fully. “Ithaca,” a Hellenistic poem, alludes to Homer’s Greek epic the Odyssey, pertaining to Odysseus’s ten year journey home to Ithaca. Similar to “Ithaca,” “Failing and Flying” alludes to Icarus, another mythological Greek figure. Icarus flies with wings of wax and feathers and, despite his father’s warning, soars to the sun where he then falls and dies in the sea. While both poems expose the importance of raw experience to fully live, “Ithaca” emphasizes an unhurried adventure of life while “Failing and Flying” highlights living passionately, despite other’s pessimistic views, as life will ultimately end.

Cavafy’s “Ithaca” advises a traveler on the extensive journey to Ithaca, providing suggested steps to a well-lived life. It reveals that one should pursue many experiences in life to grow “wealthy with all [one has] gained on the way” (30), including “fine things,…sensual perfumes” (19, 21) and wisdom. This wealth may relate to grasping beauty as the opportunities appear and making the most of these gifts. Cavafy express that these luxuries compose part of the enjoyment sought after and add another layer to the richness of one’s life. in addition, “Ithaca” indicates that one will not encounter “Laistrygonians, Cyclops, [and] wild Poseidon” (10-12) unless one brings “them along inside” (12). The monsters, alluding to the troubles Odysseus faces along his travels, reveal that one will not encounter internal troubles if optimistic thoughts and an excited spirit persist in one’s mind and actions. Through his optimistic tone, Cavafy expresses m...

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...t bond may perish, a memory of the legacy or bond will persist. Therefore, it communicates the significance of capturing opportunities, despite the possible occurrence of unsettling conclusions. These possible troublesome endings, however, can be ultimately surpassed by the beauty that persists from previous passions and admirable deeds.

Overall, C.P. Cavafy’s “Ithaca” and Jack Gilbert’s “Failing and Flying” both expose the necessity of rich experiences to compose a fully lived life. However, “Ithaca” emphasizes a steady, layered, and positive outlook of life while “Failing and Flying” accentuates the significance that, although life terminates, the passion and legacy of a dream lived out will persist. A myriad of ways to live may be suggested, proving that one lives uniquely and individually, emphasizing one’s own points to living fully as one’s story unfolds.