“Il Faut Laisser Maisons...” is a poem written by Pierre Ronsard and
published in the book Derniers vers de Pierre de Ronsard in 1586. This poem’s
central idea is that the spirit is more important than the body, because the
spirit has far fewer limits than the body. As soon as one dies, the spirit is
free from the bonds of the body. These lines: “Laissant pourir ça-bas sa dépouille
de boue” and “Franc des liens du corps, pour n’être qu’un esprit.”
show that Ronsard succeeds in establishing the theme by making it clear that it
is necessary to leave the possessions of this world and material things to
become a spirit. Ronsard is the speaker of the poem which takes place late in
his life. “C’est fait! j’ai dévidé le cours de mes destins” and
“J’ai vécu, j’ai rendu mon nom assez insigne,” prove that Ronsard has
lived awhile and accomplished some things in life. Ronsard intends to teach a
significant moral lesson which is the theme. The message is implied, because
Ronsard wishes and challenges the reader to interpret and look deeply to
understand this moral lesson. He places most emphasis on ideas to help develop
this message. Ronsard skillfully develops the poem’s mood, one of inspiration
and thoughtfulness. He believes in the freedom of the spirit in life after
death. This line: “Heureux qui ne fut onc, plus heureux qui retourne”
illustrates the poet’s pensive mood and logical thinking. Ronsard feels that
it is better to have lived than never to have lived at all. He thinks deeply
about what must be given up and accomplished to become a spirit. Ronsard also
knows that there is always hope once he becomes a spirit. Pierre Ronsard uses
examples of personification and symbolism to emphasize the theme and to create a
deeper meaning of the poem. One example of symbolism is the second line: “que
l’artisan burine”(that the artist engraves) which represents something
eternal or everlasting that he leaves behind. “Et chanter son obsèque en la
façon du cygne”(And sings his funeral song in the manner of a swan) in the
third line shows symbolism and personification. The symbolism of a funeral song
of a swan signifies the end of something or death. Ronsard personifies a swan as
a human singing his own funeral song. The words in line eleven, “Jésus-Christ(Jesus
Christ), represent salvation and everlasting hope for those seeking everlasting
hope. This line: “Dont le Sort, la Fortune et le Destin se joue”(Fate,
Fortune, and Destiny make fun) personifies that Fate, Destiny, and Fortune, like
little children, play with the useless corpse of mud, while the bonds of the
body are freed. The first three stanzas present the situation of the poem and
the thoughts of Ronsard, while the final stanza has the greatest impact and
strongest feelings of the author. This poem uses some description like the
things he must leave behind(maisons et vergers et jardins, etc.). He frequently
speaks of nature(flowers, trees, etc.) and of love. The examples of description
help to create his intended effect by showing that he must be less concerned
with material things. This lyric poem is a sonnet consisting of four
stanzas(4,4,3,3) and fourteen lines. Written in meter verse with twelve
syllables per line, the rhyme scheme is “rime Embrassées”: abba, abba, ccd,
eef. The language contributes to the mood through such words as “Jésus-Christ”
and “Franc les liens.” His concrete words include “maisons et vergers,”
etc. while his connotative words are “ sa dépouille de boue” and “son obsèque.”
His uses of assonance are “laisser maisons” and “fait - dévidé,” while
his diction is one of simplicity. Writing mostly Alexandrian poems and sonnets,
Ronsard uses classical style which affects the meaning of the poem by his
examples of nature such as “vergers et jardins.” His style also affects the
mood through his personal experience, because he bases many of his poems on his
life. This poem reveals that Ronsard is an optimistic and realistic man of
action who closely observes life, especially nature. This poem is interesting,
because it is about something that all will have to experience in life. The poem
is good and lasting, because it teaches a lesson that the importance of life is
what comes after human death. This work of poetry adds to one’s understanding
of human nature by helping him establish his priorities.