'Snakecharmer' by Sylvia Plath

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As the gods began one world, and man another,
So the snakecharmer begins a snaky sphere
With moon-eye, mouth-pipe, He pipes. Pipes green. Pipes water.

Pipes water green until green waters waver
With reedy lengths and necks and undulatings.
And as his notes twine green, the green river

Shapes its images around his sons.
He pipes a place to stand on, but no rocks,
No floor: a wave of flickering grass tongues

Supports his foot. He pipes a world of snakes,
Of sways and coilings, from the snake-rooted bottom
Of his mind. And now nothing but snakes

Is visible. The snake-scales have become
Leaf, become eyelid; snake-bodies, bough, breast
Of tree and human. And he within this snakedom

Rules the writhings which make manifest
His snakehood and his might with pliant tunes
From his thin pipe. Out of this green nest

As out of Eden's navel twist the lines
Of snaky generations: let there be snakes!
And snakes there were, are, will be--till yawns

Consume this pipe and he tires of music
And pipes the world back to the simple fabric
Of snake-warp, snake-weft. Pipes the cloth of snakes

To a melting of green waters, till no snake
Shows its head, and those green waters back to
Water, to green, to nothing like a snake.
Puts up his pipe, and lids his moony eye.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Snakecharmer by Sylvia Plath: A Complex and Symbolic Exploration of the Human Condition

Introduction

Sylvia Plath's poem "Snakecharmer" is a haunting and complex exploration of the human condition, using the metaphor of a snake charmer to depict the struggles and conflicts of human existence. The poem is full of rich and evocative imagery, and through its use of symbolism, Plath creates a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Analysis

The poem begins with an image of the snake charmer playing his flute, drawing the snake out of its basket and into the world. This image sets up the central metaphor of the poem, with the snake representing the primal, instinctual nature of humanity, and the charmer representing the forces that seek to control and suppress this instinctual drive.

As the poem progresses, the snake becomes increasingly aggressive and unpredictable, lashing out at the charmer and threatening to break free. This is a powerful symbol of the human struggle to control our own animalistic impulses, and the tension between our desire for personal freedom and our need for social order and control.

Plath also uses a number of other symbols throughout the poem to explore these themes. The snake's "black tongue," for example, can be interpreted as a symbol of deceit and temptation, while the "dusty trunk" and "gilt bamboo" of the charmer's instrument represent the superficial trappings of society that seek to constrain and control our base instincts.

At the same time, however, Plath also acknowledges the power and beauty of the snake, and the seductive allure of our own primal desires. The final lines of the poem, with the snake "swirling sullenly" around the charmer's arm, suggest a sense of uneasy compromise between our instinctual nature and our attempts to control it.

Interpretation

At its core, "Snakecharmer" can be seen as a deeply personal exploration of Plath's own struggles with her dark and primal impulses. Plath was known for her intense and often conflicted relationship with her own psyche, and the poem can be read as an attempt to come to terms with these inner demons.

At the same time, however, the poem's themes are also deeply universal, speaking to the struggle that all human beings face in trying to reconcile our own base instincts with the demands of society and culture. This tension is one of the central conflicts of human existence, and Plath's use of the snake charmer metaphor is a powerful and evocative way of exploring it.

Overall, "Snakecharmer" is a complex and multi-layered work that rewards close analysis and interpretation. Through its use of rich and evocative imagery, Plath creates a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, exploring the fundamental conflicts and struggles of the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sylvia Plath's "Snakecharmer" is a classic poem that explores the themes of power, control, and temptation. The poem is a vivid depiction of a snake charmer and his hypnotic abilities to control the movements of a snake. Plath's use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a powerful and haunting atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the snake charmer as a "god" who possesses the power to control the movements of a snake. The snake charmer is depicted as a master of his craft, with the ability to manipulate the snake's movements with ease. The speaker is in awe of the snake charmer's abilities, describing him as a "wizard" who possesses a "magic" that is both alluring and terrifying.

Plath's use of metaphorical language is particularly effective in this poem. The snake charmer is compared to a "wizard" and a "god," both of which are powerful and mystical figures. The snake, on the other hand, is compared to a "ribbon" and a "stream," both of which are fluid and graceful. These metaphors create a sense of contrast between the two figures, highlighting the power dynamic between them.

The poem also explores the theme of temptation. The snake charmer's ability to control the movements of the snake is both alluring and dangerous. The speaker is drawn to the snake charmer's power, but also recognizes the potential danger of getting too close. The snake is described as a "slimy" and "venomous" creature, highlighting the potential danger of getting too close to it.

Plath's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. The snake is described as a "green bronze" creature with "jeweled" eyes. This imagery creates a sense of beauty and allure, but also highlights the potential danger of the snake. The snake charmer is also described in vivid detail, with his "black beard" and "dark eyes" creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.

The poem also explores the theme of power and control. The snake charmer is depicted as a master of his craft, with the ability to control the movements of the snake with ease. The snake, on the other hand, is depicted as a creature that is easily manipulated and controlled. This power dynamic creates a sense of tension and unease, as the speaker recognizes the potential danger of the situation.

Plath's use of language is particularly effective in this poem. The snake charmer is described as having a "magic" that is both alluring and terrifying. The snake is described as a "slimy" and "venomous" creature, highlighting the potential danger of getting too close. These descriptions create a sense of tension and unease, as the speaker recognizes the potential danger of the situation.

In conclusion, Sylvia Plath's "Snakecharmer" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of power, control, and temptation. Plath's use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a sense of contrast between the snake charmer and the snake, highlighting the power dynamic between them. The poem also explores the theme of temptation, as the speaker is drawn to the snake charmer's power but recognizes the potential danger of getting too close. Overall, "Snakecharmer" is a masterful work of poetry that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

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