how does the poet uses violent aspects of ancient civilisations to comment on

E

Elizabeth

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contemporary historical violence? Before they put the stone back
in its mouth,
let us pray
that the necropolis will prove
sufficient to our appetite
for memory, that cuds behindbacks
and incubates spilled blood;
and place these remnants
in the care of Gunnar.
He lay beautiful
inside his mound,
though dead by violence
and unavenged:
it seemed that he was chanting
verses about honour,
and four lights burned
in corners of the chamber.
Which opened then, as he turned
with a joyful face
and looked at the moon.
 
The purpose of violence (war) is for a society's advancement (from its point of view) and past and present civilizations seek to justify or understand its senselessness.
In the poetic verse provided the writer referred to "honor". Alas something noble in a man is refined out of violence in much the way elements are refined in a fire.
 
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