Leonard Cohen: The Paradox

The minds of great writers are often rife with contradiction, uncertainty, and paradox. Perhaps the quintessential example of a poet who embraces all of these things with an eager pen and an open mind is Leonard Cohen. Cohen has an uncanny ability to simultaneously express his distaste and adoration of the artist’s place in society. The reason that Cohen is so adept at describing these conflicting viewpoints is that while composing his works he assumes many different scripted roles. There are times when he is the cynical, independent, introvert who writes for his own selfish purposes and there are times when he sheds the confining role of the “Serious Artist” and becomes the wise, experienced teacher for a generation of fledgling artists. This shift is most notable in his two works entitled, “I Have Not Lingered In European Monasteries” (1965) and “How To Speak Poetry” (1978). By manipulating the structure and tone of the pieces, he is able to portray two entirely different personas to his audience. He showcases two distinct ways in which artists can live out their lives: self-contained and peaceful, or sharing their gift in the most direct way possible.