Introduction to Orphic Vessels

Introduction to Orphic Vessels is a compilation of essays, some excerpted from The Bewitched Quantity by José Lezama Lima, a notable Cuban poet and novelist. Published in 1971, this anthology demonstrates Lezama Lima’s talent for fusing literary criticism, philosophy, and art in a thoughtful and provocative analysis.
The text takes the reader on an intellectual journey through the complex ideas of Lezama Lima. Here, the author examines a variety of ideas, interprets some Orphic plates and comments on reproductions of ceramics, mainly from the Kunstmuseum in Munich and the Archaeological Museum in Naples. Although these descriptions do not seek extreme accuracy, they provide the reader with a unique and in-depth insight into the topics discussed.
With his vast literary and philosophical knowledge, Lezama Lima approaches each subject from different angles, generating a series of reflections and ideas that illuminate new ways of understanding art and literature. His writing style, a blend of poetry and philosophy, brings to each essay a depth that invites reflection and analysis.
In Introduction to Orphic Vessels, Lezama Lima’s poetic theory can be seen more clearly. His innovative approach to literature and art, the combination of philosophical reflection with poetry, and his concept of “imaginary eras” are recurring themes in the essays.
In the words of Lezama Lima himself:

“The appearance of the Orphic themes corresponds to the ceremony of each of the Eleusinian mysteries on the days of the major and minor mysteries. Let’s look at the motifs surrounding the second major Eleusinian mystery. Pilgrims leave the city by the bridge of Sisyphus, surrounded by the oldest tombs. The symbols of Sisyphus and the hellish descents are imposed by the forests around Athens. The breezes begin to be manned by jokes and innuendo. They tear the ephebe branches of the trees, begin to beat the maidens to incite them to the most germinative appetites.”