'Dream Song 33: An apple arc'd toward Kleitos; whose great King' by John Berryman
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An apple arc'd toward Kleitos; whose great King
wroth & of wine did study where his sword,
sneaked away, might be . . .
with swollen lids staggered up and clung
dim to the cloth of gold. An un-Greek word
blister, to him guard,
and the trumpeter would not sound, fisted. Ha,
they hustle Clitus out; by another door,
loaded, crowds he back in
who now must, chopped, fall to the spear-ax ah
grabbed from an extra by the boy-god, sore
for weapons. For the sin:
little it is gross Henry has to say.
The King heaved. Pluckt out, the ax-end would
he jab in his sole throat.
As if an end. A baby, the guard may
squire him to his apartments. Weeping & blood
wound round his one friend.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 33: An apple arc'd toward Kleitos; whose great King
By John Berryman
Dream Song 33, written by John Berryman, is a poem that explores the complexities of human relationships, particularly the dynamic between a father and son. As is characteristic of much of Berryman's work, the poem is challenging and layered, with each line carrying multiple possible meanings. Through its use of vivid imagery and a fragmented narrative structure, Dream Song 33 offers a poignant meditation on the bonds of family and the inevitability of loss.
The poem opens with a striking image of an apple arcing towards Kleitos, a reference to a story from ancient Greek mythology in which an apple was thrown among the goddesses and ultimately led to the Trojan War. This allusion sets the tone for the poem, which is steeped in literary and cultural references. At the same time, the apple serves as a symbol of temptation, and its trajectory towards Kleitos may suggest that he is about to be lured into some kind of danger or temptation.
As the poem progresses, the reader is introduced to the characters of Henry and his son, who are engaged in a kind of verbal sparring match. The son accuses Henry of being "a bad daddy," a phrase that is repeated several times throughout the poem, and seems to be the central conflict driving the narrative. However, as with many of Berryman's works, the poem resists easy interpretation, and the true nature of the conflict remains elusive.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of fatherhood and the difficulties of living up to the expectations of one's children. Henry is portrayed as a flawed and imperfect figure, one who has perhaps failed to live up to his son's expectations. At the same time, however, the son's accusations are not without their own problems, and the poem suggests that there may be deeper issues at play.
One of the most striking features of Dream Song 33 is its use of fragmented and fragmented narrative structure. The poem consists of a series of seemingly disconnected images and thoughts, with each line contributing to a larger whole. This structure can be disorienting for the reader, but it also allows for a great deal of ambiguity and multiple possible interpretations.
Another key feature of the poem is its use of vivid and powerful imagery. From the opening image of the apple to the vivid descriptions of Kleitos and the king, the poem is filled with striking visual and sensory details. These details serve to heighten the emotional impact of the poem and to create a sense of richness and depth.
Overall, Dream Song 33 is a challenging and complex work that rewards careful and thoughtful reading. Through its use of imagery, narrative structure, and themes of family and loss, the poem offers a poignant meditation on the human condition and the complexities of our relationships with one another. Whether read as a meditation on fatherhood, a critique of patriarchal power structures, or something else entirely, Dream Song 33 is a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 33: An apple arc'd toward Kleitos; whose great King is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous collection of poems, The Dream Songs. The poem is a complex and layered piece of literature that requires a deep understanding of the context and symbolism used by the poet. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the image of an apple arcing towards Kleitos, a reference to the Greek myth of the Trojan War. Kleitos was a warrior who fought on the side of the Trojans, and the apple is a reference to the golden apple of discord, which was thrown by Eris, the goddess of strife, at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. The apple was inscribed with the words "to the fairest," and it caused a dispute between the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, which ultimately led to the Trojan War.
The reference to the apple in Dream Song 33 is significant because it represents the idea of discord and conflict. The apple is a symbol of temptation and desire, and it represents the things that can cause division and strife in human relationships. The fact that the apple is arcing towards Kleitos suggests that he is about to be caught up in a conflict or dispute, and that he will be forced to choose a side.
The next line of the poem, "whose great King," is a reference to Alexander the Great, the famous Greek conqueror who conquered much of the known world in the 4th century BC. Alexander is often referred to as "the Great" because of his military conquests and his impact on world history. The reference to Alexander in the poem is significant because it suggests that the conflict that Kleitos is about to be caught up in is a significant one, with far-reaching consequences.
The next line of the poem, "written in a book," is a reference to the idea of fate and destiny. In ancient Greece, it was believed that the gods had already determined the fate of each individual, and that their lives were already written in a book. The reference to the book in the poem suggests that Kleitos is destined to be caught up in this conflict, and that his fate has already been determined.
The next line of the poem, "he laughed out loud," is a reference to the idea of irony. Kleitos is about to be caught up in a conflict that will have serious consequences, yet he is laughing out loud. This suggests that he is either unaware of the seriousness of the situation, or that he is resigned to his fate and is laughing in the face of adversity.
The next line of the poem, "he knew no god," is a reference to the idea of atheism. In ancient Greece, it was believed that the gods controlled every aspect of human life, and that it was important to worship and appease them. The fact that Kleitos knew no god suggests that he was either an atheist or that he did not believe in the power of the gods. This is significant because it suggests that Kleitos is not relying on divine intervention to save him from his fate.
The next line of the poem, "but hunger," is a reference to the idea of desire and temptation. Hunger is a basic human desire, and it represents the things that we crave and desire in life. The fact that Kleitos is hungry suggests that he is driven by his desires and that he is willing to risk everything to satisfy them.
The next line of the poem, "he ate the apple," is a reference to the idea of temptation and sin. The apple is a symbol of temptation, and the fact that Kleitos eats it suggests that he is giving in to his desires and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy them. This is significant because it suggests that Kleitos is not a virtuous or moral person, and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
The final line of the poem, "it was good," is a reference to the idea of moral relativism. The fact that Kleitos thinks that eating the apple was good suggests that he does not have a strong sense of right and wrong, and that he is willing to justify his actions based on his own desires and needs. This is significant because it suggests that Kleitos is not a virtuous or moral person, and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
In conclusion, Dream Song 33: An apple arc'd toward Kleitos; whose great King is a complex and layered poem that explores the themes of temptation, desire, conflict, and fate. The poem uses a variety of literary devices, including symbolism, irony, and allusion, to create a rich and nuanced portrait of a man caught up in a conflict that he cannot escape. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of moral values and the dangers of giving in to our desires and temptations.
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