'Perseus' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1958

The Triumph of Wit Over Suffering

Head alone shows you in the prodigious act
Of digesting what centuries alone digest:
The mammoth, lumbering statuary of sorrow,
Indissoluble enough to riddle the guts
Of a whale with holes and holes, and bleed him white
Into salt seas.Hercules had a simple time,
Rinsing those stables:a baby's tears would do it.
But who'd volunteer to gulp the Laocoon,
The Dying Gaul and those innumerable pietas
Festering on the dim walls of Europe's chapels,
Museums and sepulchers?You.You
Who borrowed feathers for your feet, not lead,
Not nails, and a mirror to keep the snaky head
In safe perspective, could outface the gorgon-grimace
Of human agony:a look to numb
Limbs:not a basilisk-blink, nor a double whammy,
But all the accumulated last grunts, groans,
Cries and heroic couplets concluding the million
Enacted tragedies on these blood-soaked boards,
And every private twinge a hissing asp
To petrify your eyes, and every village
Catastrophe a writhing length of cobra,
And the decline of empires the thick coil of a vast
Anacnoda.Imagine:the world
Fisted to a foetus head, ravined, seamed
With suffering from conception upwards, and there
You have it in hand.Grit in the eye or a sore
Thumb can make anyone wince, but the whole globe
Expressive of grief turns gods, like kings, to rocks.
Those rocks, cleft and worn, themselves then grow
Ponderous and extend despair on earth's
Dark face.So might rigor mortis come to stiffen
All creation, were it not for a bigger belly
Still than swallows joy.You enter now,
Armed with feathers to tickle as well as fly,
And a fun-house mirror that turns the tragic muse
To the beheaded head of a sullen doll, one braid,
A bedraggled snake, hanging limp as the absurd mouth
Hangs in its lugubious pout.Where are
The classic limbs of stubborn Antigone?
The red, royal robes of Phedre?The tear-dazzled
Sorrows of Malfi's gentle duchess?Gone
In the deep convulsion gripping your face, muscles
And sinews bunched, victorious, as the cosmic
Laugh does away with the unstitching, plaguey wounds
Of an eternal sufferer.To you
Perseus, the palm, and may you poise
And repoise until time stop, the celestial balance
Which weighs our madness with our sanity.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Perseus by Sylvia Plath

Perseus, written by Sylvia Plath, is a poem that explores the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa. In this poem, Plath puts her own spin on the myth, focusing on the themes of power, violence, and gender roles. The poem is haunting, and Plath's use of language and imagery is both beautiful and disturbing.

Analysis

The poem begins with Perseus, the son of Zeus, flying over the ocean on his way to slay Medusa. Plath's description of Perseus is interesting because she portrays him as a kind of superhero. He is "winged at the ankles" and "armed with the latest weapons." These descriptions make him seem almost invincible, and it's clear that Plath is playing with the idea of power and domination.

As Perseus approaches Medusa, Plath's language becomes more violent. She describes Medusa as "that horror" and "that monster," and she describes her snakes as "coiled and gleaming." The violence of the poem is palpable, and Plath's use of language is both beautiful and terrifying.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Plath plays with gender roles. Medusa is traditionally portrayed as a monster, but in this poem, Plath portrays her as a victim. She writes that Medusa "cowers" and "shrinks" from Perseus, and she describes her snakes as "tangled shields." These descriptions make Medusa seem vulnerable, and they highlight the power dynamic between Perseus and Medusa.

The poem ends with Perseus, victorious, holding up Medusa's head. Plath's language becomes even more violent at this point, with descriptions of blood and gore. She writes that "the blood beat in his ears" and that "the blood of the slain" dripped from his hands. These descriptions are disturbing, but they're also incredibly powerful. They highlight the brutality of the myth, and they make it clear that Plath is not shying away from the violence.

Interpretation

Perseus is a poem that's open to interpretation, and there are many different ways to read it. One possible interpretation is that it's a commentary on power and domination. Perseus is portrayed as a kind of superhero, and his victory over Medusa is celebrated. However, Plath also portrays Medusa as a victim, and she highlights the power dynamic between the two characters. This interpretation suggests that Plath is commenting on the way that power can be used to dominate and oppress.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a feminist critique of traditional gender roles. Medusa is traditionally portrayed as a monster, but in this poem, Plath portrays her as a victim. She's afraid of Perseus, and she cowers in his presence. This interpretation suggests that Plath is commenting on the way that women are often portrayed as weak and vulnerable, while men are portrayed as strong and invincible.

Finally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the brutality of the ancient Greek myths. Plath's language is violent and disturbing, and she doesn't shy away from the blood and gore of the story. This interpretation suggests that Plath is questioning the value of these myths, and she's highlighting the way that they celebrate violence and domination.

Conclusion

Perseus is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the ancient Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa. Plath's use of language and imagery is both beautiful and disturbing, and she plays with the themes of power, violence, and gender roles. The poem is open to interpretation, and it can be read as a commentary on power and domination, a feminist critique of traditional gender roles, or a commentary on the brutality of the ancient Greek myths. Whatever interpretation you choose, it's clear that Perseus is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it's a testament to Sylvia Plath's incredible talent and insight.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Perseus: A Poem of Triumph and Tragedy

Sylvia Plath's "Perseus" is a poem that captures the essence of Greek mythology and the human condition. It is a poem of triumph and tragedy, of heroism and hubris, of life and death. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the image of Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, flying on his winged sandals. He is on a mission to slay the Gorgon Medusa, whose gaze turns men to stone. This image sets the tone for the poem, as it is a symbol of the hero's journey, the quest for glory and immortality.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the beauty and danger of the world of Greek mythology. The "sea-blue bird" and the "sapphire sea" are images of the natural world, while the "blackened hulls" and the "skeletons of ships" are reminders of the dangers that lurk beneath the surface. The "white towers" and the "golden domes" are images of the human world, of civilization and culture.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the character of Medusa, the Gorgon with snakes for hair. She is described as a "beauty of bronze" and a "queen of the air." This image is a reminder that even the most beautiful and powerful beings can be dangerous and deadly. Medusa's gaze turns men to stone, and her power is a symbol of the destructive forces of nature.

The third stanza of the poem is a description of Perseus's journey to slay Medusa. He is aided by the gods, who give him a shield, a sword, and a helmet of invisibility. These gifts are symbols of the hero's journey, of the tools and resources that he needs to overcome the obstacles that stand in his way.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a description of Perseus's encounter with Medusa. He uses his shield to reflect her gaze back at her, and he cuts off her head with his sword. This image is a symbol of the hero's triumph over the forces of evil and destruction.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a description of Perseus's return home. He is hailed as a hero, and he is given the gift of immortality by the gods. This image is a symbol of the hero's ultimate victory, of his triumph over death and his attainment of eternal life.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of heroism and the human condition. The speaker asks, "What is a god?" and answers, "A god is a man who has succeeded." This image is a reminder that heroism is not just about physical strength and bravery, but also about the ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

In conclusion, "Perseus" is a poem that captures the essence of Greek mythology and the human condition. It is a poem of triumph and tragedy, of heroism and hubris, of life and death. The imagery and symbolism of the poem are powerful reminders of the beauty and danger of the natural world, the power and destructiveness of human civilization, and the triumph and tragedy of the hero's journey. Sylvia Plath's "Perseus" is a classic poem that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.

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