'Let Zeus' by H.D.

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I

I say, I am quite done,
quite done with this;
you smile your calm
inveterate chill smile

and light steps back;
intolerate loveliness
smiles at the ranks
of obdurate bitterness;

you smile with keen
chiselled and frigid lips;
it seems no evil
ever could have been;

so, on the Parthenon,
like splendour keeps
peril at bay,
facing inviolate dawn.

II

Men cannot mar you,
women cannot break
your innate strength,
your stark autocracy;

still I will make no plea
for this slight verse;
it outlines simply
Love's authority:

but pardon this,
that in these luminous days,
I re-invoke the dark
to frame your praise;

as one to make a bright room
seem more bright,
stares out deliberate
into Cerberus-night.

III

Sometimes I chide the manner of your dress;
I want all men to see the grace of you;
I mock your pace, your body's insolence,
thinking that all should praise, while obstinate
you still insist your beauty's gold is clay:

I chide you that you stand not forth entire,
set on bright plinth, intolerably desired;
yet I in turn will cheat, will thwart your whim,
I'll break my thought, weld it to fit your measure
as one who sets a statue on a height
to show where Hyacinth or Pan have been.

IV

When blight lay and the Persian like a scar,
and death was heavy on Athens, plague and war,
you gave me this bright garment and this ring;

I who still kept of wisdom's meagre store
a few rare songs and some philosophising,
offered you these for I had nothing more;

that which both Athens and the Persian mocked
you took, as a cold famished bird takes grain,
blown inland through darkness and withering rain.

V

Would you prefer myrrh-flower or cyclamen?
I have them, I could spread them out again;
but now for this stark moment while Love breaths
his tentative breath, as dying, yet still lives,
wait as that time you waited tense with me:

others shall love when Athens lives again,
you waited in the agonies of war;
others will praise when all the host proclaims
Athens the perfect; you, when Athens lost,
stood by her; when the dark perfidious host
turned, it was you who pled for her with death.

VI

Stars wheel in purple, yours is not so rare
as Hesperus, nor yet so great a star
as bright Aldebaran or Sirius,
nor yet the stained and brilliant one of War;

stars turn in purple, glorious to the sight;
yours is not gracious as the Pleiads' are
nor as Orion's sapphires, luminous;
yet disenchanted, cold, imperious face,
when all the others, blighted, reel and fall,
your star, steel-set, keeps lone and frigid tryst
to freighted ships, baffled in wind and blast.

VII

None watched with me
who watched his fluttering breath,
none brought white roses,
none the roses red;

many had loved,
had sought him luminous,
when he was blithe
and purple draped his bed;

yet when Love fell
struck down with plague and war,
you lay white myrrh-buds
on the darkened lintel;

you fastened blossom
to the smitten sill;
let Zeus record this,
daring Death to mar.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Let Zeus by H.D.: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

As a classic poem, Let Zeus by H.D. has stood the test of time and still resonates with readers of all generations. H.D. was a prolific writer and poet, and her works are often characterized by her unique style and the depth of meaning they convey. In this literary criticism and interpretation of Let Zeus, we will explore the poem's themes, imagery, and symbolism, and unpack the poet's message to her readers.

Background Information

H.D., whose real name was Hilda Doolittle, was an American poet, novelist, and memoirist who lived from 1886 to 1961. She was part of the modernist movement in literature, which emphasized experimentation and a break from traditional forms and structures. H.D. was heavily influenced by Greek mythology and literature, which is evident in many of her works, including Let Zeus.

Let Zeus was first published in H.D.'s collection of poems, Hymen, in 1921. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to be more flexible with form and structure. The poem is also notable for its use of imagery and symbolism, which we will explore in detail in this literary criticism.

Themes

At its core, Let Zeus is a poem about power and control. The poem is addressed to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, and the speaker is asking him to use his power to help her overcome a difficult situation. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes her struggles and asks Zeus to intervene on her behalf. This theme of power and control is reflected in the poem's title, which is a command to Zeus, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

Another theme that is present in Let Zeus is that of faith and belief. The speaker's faith in Zeus is what compels her to ask for his help, and she expresses her belief that he has the power to grant her request. This theme is important because it highlights the role of religion and mythology in people's lives, and how they can provide comfort and hope in difficult times.

Imagery and Symbolism

One of the most striking features of Let Zeus is its use of imagery and symbolism. H.D. uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, and to convey complex ideas and emotions. Here are some examples of the imagery and symbolism in the poem:

• "Let thy hand hold the thunderbolt" - This line is a reference to Zeus's power and control over the elements. The thunderbolt symbolizes his ability to control the forces of nature, and the speaker is asking him to use this power to help her.

• "The waters will not drown me" - This line is a metaphor for the speaker's struggles. The "waters" represent the difficulties and challenges she is facing, and she is expressing her belief that they will not overcome her.

• "The fire will not burn me" - This line is another metaphor for the speaker's struggles. The "fire" represents the obstacles and hardships she is facing, and she is expressing her belief that they will not defeat her.

• "Let me not go mad" - This line is a plea for sanity and stability. The speaker is acknowledging the potential for mental illness or breakdown in the face of overwhelming difficulties, and asking Zeus to protect her from this fate.

• "I am not afraid" - This line is a declaration of courage and strength. The speaker is asserting her ability to face her challenges and overcome them, with or without Zeus's help.

Interpretation

So what is the message that H.D. is trying to convey in Let Zeus? At its core, the poem is a reflection on the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. The speaker's struggles are a metaphor for the challenges that we all encounter, whether personal, social, political, or environmental. By addressing her plea to Zeus, the speaker is acknowledging the powerlessness that we often feel in the face of these challenges, and the need for faith and belief to sustain us.

But the poem is not just about personal struggles. It can also be read as a commentary on the larger world around us. The use of Zeus as a symbol of power and control highlights the role of those in positions of authority, whether religious, political, or social. The poem can be seen as a critique of those who hold power and are not using it to help those who are struggling.

Ultimately, Let Zeus is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. It is a testament to H.D.'s skill as a poet, and her ability to capture the essence of the human condition in a few short lines. Whether read as a personal reflection or a social commentary, Let Zeus is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Let Zeus: An Analysis of H.D.'s Classic Poem

H.D.'s poem "Let Zeus" is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for decades. The poem is a powerful expression of the poet's desire to be free from the constraints of society and to embrace her own individuality. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

Themes

The central theme of "Let Zeus" is the desire for freedom. The poem is a call to the Greek god Zeus to release the poet from the chains of society and allow her to be free. The poet longs to be free from the expectations of others and to be able to express herself without fear of judgment. This theme is evident throughout the poem, as the poet repeatedly asks Zeus to "let me be free."

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of transformation. The poet wants to transform herself into something new, something that is not bound by the limitations of society. She wants to be like the "wild rose" that grows "unfettered by man's hand." This desire for transformation is also evident in the imagery used in the poem, which we will explore in more detail below.

Imagery

H.D. uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to convey the poet's desire for freedom and transformation. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "wild rose." The poet describes the rose as growing "unfettered by man's hand" and as being "free to grow as it will." This image represents the poet's desire to be like the rose, to be free from the constraints of society and to grow and flourish on her own terms.

Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "thunderbolt." The poet asks Zeus to "let the thunderbolt fall" and to "let the lightning strike." This image represents the poet's desire for a sudden and dramatic transformation, a complete break from the past and a new beginning.

Language

H.D. uses language in "Let Zeus" to convey the intensity of the poet's desire for freedom and transformation. The poem is full of strong, declarative statements, such as "Let me be free" and "Let the thunderbolt fall." These statements convey the poet's sense of urgency and her determination to break free from the constraints of society.

The language used in the poem is also highly poetic and evocative. H.D. uses rich, descriptive language to create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, she describes the rose as "wild" and "unfettered," and she uses words like "thunderbolt" and "lightning" to create a sense of power and energy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Let Zeus" is a powerful poem that expresses the poet's desire for freedom and transformation. The themes of the poem, including freedom and transformation, are conveyed through vivid imagery and strong, declarative language. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest desires and emotions of the human soul.

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