Joseph Aleksandrovich Brodsky: where he is buried, the cause of death

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Poetry of the late 20th century is a challenge to past traditions; it is the literature of modernism and existentialism. A man of iron will and endurance, Joseph Brodsky, made his remarkable contribution to the world of philosophical poetry.

The path of this writer was not easy. He was tried for dependency in 1964. Then he was permanently expelled from the country in 1972, not even being allowed to attend his parents' funeral. But still, despite the trials, he lived a great and worthy life.

Where is Brodsky buried? On a large cemetery island in Venice. Previously, there was a monastery of the Archangel Michael, but from the beginning of the 19th century they began to bury famous cultural figures.

Creative path

Poet, essayist and translator Joseph Brodsky received recognition in America. There he taught and published. Like many dissidents of that time, he emigrated from the USSR. The Soviet government offered the poet either a psychiatric hospital or a voluntary exile.

Iosif Aleksandrovich started writing at 18years. Since his family had a hard time in the post-war period, he was forced to find his way on his own, having neither an education in the field of literature, nor a mentor. The only person who supported the young philosopher-poet was Anna Akhmatova. She recognized the obvious talent in the young man at the first meeting.

Brodsky's work is centered around the idea of crossing borders. And very often he chose the fine line between life and death as the theme of his poems. His lyrics are thoughtful.

The poet wrote sonnets and eclogues, looking for his own artistic style of presentation. Basically, he created modernist philosophical literature. He translated a lot of English-language poems into Russian, keeping the size as much as possible. He also wrote essays, but in English, as he lived and taught in America at that time.

In 1987, I. Brodsky became a Nobel laureate. However, in the homeland until the era of perestroika, he was never recognized. Only in the 90s did his works begin to be published on the territory of the former USSR.

Joseph Brodsky: the best poems

The famous poet was awarded the prize for a reason. His literature is altruistic, although often there is criticism, sadness, thoughts about love and death. In many poems there is a call to realize one's freedom, human dignity. For example, in the poem: "The autumn cry of a hawk" the poet tells about a lonely bird as a symbol of freedom and greatness of the soul.

Brodsky changed the tonic of the "standard" Russian poem. He creates his artistic world withusing a rather complex syntax, always looking for new images, trying not to imitate anyone. Once, a performance in St. Petersburg at a tournament of poets ended almost in a scandal, since the literary society did not accept his poem "Jewish Cemetery". At that time, this way of self-expression was considered inappropriate.

His creations are characterized by an unusual rhythm, colorful emotional shades. The most famous poem "On the death of Zhukov" reflects his philosophical mindset, critical thinking and rejection of war, murder.

How much did Joseph Brodsky create in his life? Poems are the best that he could leave behind. These are numerous works, unique in meaning and form. He loved both modernism, and classics, and avant-garde. Never limited myself to style. Often it is the sound of the syllable that matters more in his works than the meaning.

How did the poet die?

Why did Joseph Brodsky die so early? Cause of death - myocardial infarction; he suffered from angina pectoris for many years. Iosif Aleksandrovich could write a lot more, share his thoughts and feelings with the world. But in 1996 he died after another heart attack. There was no autopsy, as the doctor considered it inappropriate. The poet has already survived 3 seizures earlier.

Brodsky died in his apartment in New York on the night of January 27-28, 1996. He was preparing to go to South Hadley, where the new semester began for students.

We have already said where Brodsky is buried. Buthe was first buried in New York, not far from Broadway. Shortly before his death, the poet himself bought a place in the cemetery. And on June 21, 1997, the remains were reburied on a separate island-cemetery of San Michele, half an hour by boat from Venice. Due to the fact that the poet was not baptized in the Orthodox Church, it turned out to be impossible to bury the body in the Russian part of the cemetery, next to the grave of I. Stravinsky.

Brodsky's prophecies about his death

He foresaw his death. A long life on mortal earth seemed inappropriate to him. When the poet was 40 years old, he wrote these lines:

What can I say about life? Which turned out to be long.

Only with grief do I feel solidarity.

But until my mouth is stuffed with clay, only gratitude will come out of it.”

Poetry was I. Brodsky's strongest passion. He read his works with great fervour. He wrote a lot, and the themes of his work were diverse and original.

But besides poetry, he also loved cigarettes. He smoked incredibly much - 3 packs a day. Plus, I drank too much coffee. And knowing that it was impossible for hearts to smoke, he still did not part with his bad habit, saying at the same time: "A man took a cigarette in his hands and became a poet." In many photographs, he is depicted with a cigarette in his hands.

He knew perfectly well that he would not live to see the 21st century. The poet and essayist suffered his first heart attack after the trial, in 1964. When the doctors informed him of serious heart problems, the poet's life was filled withconstant fear. And the poems became more serious, dramatic.

The last refuge of the poet

The grave of I. Brodsky in Venice is constantly visited by connoisseurs of his work. The poet has not been among us for more than twenty years, but he is alive in the hearts of his friends and children. And, of course, all those who re-read his sometimes kind, and sometimes mournful philosophical lines about life, love and the flight of the soul. The Russian people have not forgotten his legacy. Even though I didn't appreciate it during my lifetime.

Those people who would like to visit the grave of the poet and honor his memory can freely visit the cemetery of San Michele. It is not difficult to remember where I. Brodsky is buried. Close to my favorite city - Venice.

Conclusion

Not every rhymer can be called a poet, much less a creative poet. But in all the stanzas of Joseph Aleksandrovich Brodsky, the sincerity, steadfastness and flight of thought of a real man of art shine through. Perhaps it was thanks to all the difficulties and obstacles that fell to his lot that he became such a unique, strong, exemplary poet and essayist.

And to honor the memory of the great creator, you can go to where Brodsky is buried - to the cemetery of San Michele, in its Protestant part.