Traditional Influences:
* Formal Structures: Pound was deeply influenced by the formal structures of traditional poetry, especially the sonnet and the villanelle. He believed in the power of these forms to shape and refine language, and he used them extensively throughout his career. His "Homage to Sextus Propertius," for example, is written in a series of sonnets that mimic the style of the Roman poet.
* Thematic Concerns: Pound shared many thematic concerns with earlier poets, such as the exploration of love, loss, and the nature of beauty. His work often engages with classical mythology and history, much like the poets of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
* The Importance of Language: Like earlier poets, Pound placed great emphasis on the power of language to create art and to express profound truths. He believed that poetry should be crafted with care and precision, and he experimented extensively with different poetic techniques to achieve this goal.
Radical Departures:
* Modernist Experimentation: Pound was a leading figure in the modernist movement, which sought to break away from traditional forms and conventions. He rejected the sentimentalism and emotional excess of Victorian poetry, and instead embraced a more direct, precise, and objective style.
* Influence of Imagism: Pound was a founding member of the Imagist movement, which championed the use of vivid imagery and concision in poetry. This approach, characterized by its focus on the concrete and the immediate, challenged the more abstract and sentimental tendencies of earlier poetry.
* Polystylism: Pound was a master of polystylism, incorporating a wide range of voices and styles into his work. He borrowed elements from different literary traditions, including ancient Greek, medieval, and Oriental poetry, to create a uniquely modern aesthetic.
Ultimately, Pound's relationship with traditional poetry can be characterized as a constant dialogue. He acknowledged its influence and utilized its techniques, but he also sought to transcend its limitations, forging a new path for poetry in the 20th century. His work remains a testament to the enduring power of traditional forms while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of poetic expression.