'Let Zeus' by H.D.

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II say, I am quite done,
quite done with this;
you smile your calm
inveterate chill smileand 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.IIMen 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.IIISometimes 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.IVWhen 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.VWould 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.VIStars 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.VIINone 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

If you're looking for a poem that celebrates the power and majesty of the ancient Greek gods, then "Let Zeus" by H.D. should be right up your alley. In this poem, the speaker is calling on the king of the gods, Zeus, to come and bring his thunder and lightning to the world. But there's more to this poem than just a simple invocation of a powerful deity. Let's take a closer look at "Let Zeus" and see what else we can find.

Background Information on the Poet

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about the poet who wrote it. H.D., also known as Hilda Doolittle, was an American poet who lived from 1886 to 1961. She was associated with the Imagist movement, which emphasized clear, concise language and the use of vivid imagery. H.D. was also interested in ancient Greek literature and mythology, which is evident in many of her poems.

Analysis of "Let Zeus"

Now, let's turn our attention to "Let Zeus" itself. The poem is only six lines long, but there's a lot going on in those six lines. Let's break it down stanza by stanza.

Stanza 1

Let Zeus bring thunder,
let him bring his lightning bolt,
let him shake the earth
with his terrible tread.

Right away, we can see that the speaker is calling on Zeus to come and unleash his power. The use of the imperative "let" creates a sense of urgency and command. The speaker wants Zeus to bring his thunder and lightning, which are symbols of his power and authority. The phrase "terrible tread" emphasizes the sheer force of Zeus's presence.

Stanza 2

Let him bring his eagle,
let him bring his scepter,
let him bring his godhead
to the world we tread.

In this stanza, the speaker lists three more symbols associated with Zeus: his eagle, his scepter, and his godhead. The eagle is a bird of prey that is often depicted alongside Zeus, while the scepter is a symbol of his authority as king of the gods. The phrase "godhead" emphasizes Zeus's divine status. The repetition of "let him bring" creates a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Theme

Overall, the theme of "Let Zeus" is the power and majesty of the ancient Greek gods. The speaker is calling on Zeus specifically, but we can assume that this is representative of the reverence and awe that the ancient Greeks felt towards their pantheon of deities. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of grandeur and awe.

Imagery

The imagery in "Let Zeus" is particularly striking. The thunder and lightning, eagle, scepter, and godhead are all symbols that would have been immediately recognizable to anyone familiar with Greek mythology. The use of these symbols creates a sense of authenticity and historical context. The phrase "world we tread" also creates an image of the ancient Greeks walking on the earth, surrounded by the power and influence of their gods.

Tone

The overall tone of "Let Zeus" is one of reverence and admiration. The speaker is calling on Zeus with a sense of urgency and excitement, but there is also a sense of humility and awe. The speaker recognizes the power and authority of the gods and is humbled by it. The use of imperative language and vivid imagery creates a sense of urgency and command, but there is also a sense of respect and admiration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Let Zeus" is a powerful poem that celebrates the power and majesty of the ancient Greek gods. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of grandeur and awe. The poem is only six lines long, but it packs a punch. The repetition of "let him bring" creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, while the phrase "world we tread" creates an image of the ancient Greeks walking on the earth, surrounded by the power and influence of their gods. Overall, "Let Zeus" is a testament to the enduring legacy of Greek mythology and the awe-inspiring power of the gods.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Let Zeus, a classic poem written by H.D., is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Greek mythology. The poem is a tribute to Zeus, the king of the gods, and the power he holds over the world. H.D. uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the majesty and awe-inspiring nature of Zeus.

The poem begins with the line, "Let Zeus be king over us." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes Zeus as the ultimate authority figure. H.D. then goes on to describe Zeus as "the thunderer," emphasizing his power and dominance over the natural world. The use of the word "thunderer" is particularly effective, as it conjures up images of lightning bolts and thunderstorms, which are often associated with Zeus in Greek mythology.

H.D. then describes Zeus as "the cloud-gatherer," further emphasizing his control over the weather. The image of Zeus gathering clouds is particularly powerful, as it suggests that he has the power to control the very elements of the earth. This is a common theme in Greek mythology, as the gods are often depicted as having control over various aspects of the natural world.

The poem then takes a more personal turn, as H.D. addresses Zeus directly, saying, "Let Zeus be king over us, even in death." This line suggests that even in death, Zeus still holds power over the mortal world. It also suggests that the speaker is willing to submit to Zeus's authority, even in the face of death.

H.D. then goes on to describe Zeus as "the father of gods and men." This line emphasizes Zeus's role as the ultimate authority figure in Greek mythology. It also suggests that Zeus is responsible for the creation of both gods and men, further emphasizing his power and dominance.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as H.D. asks, "Who can escape you?" This line suggests that Zeus's power is all-encompassing, and that no one can escape his influence. It also suggests that Zeus is omnipotent, and that his power extends beyond the mortal world.

H.D. then goes on to describe Zeus as "the all-seeing," emphasizing his ability to see everything that happens in the world. This line is particularly effective, as it suggests that Zeus is aware of everything that happens, even the smallest details. It also suggests that Zeus is a just and fair ruler, as he is able to see everything that happens and make decisions accordingly.

The poem then takes a more emotional turn, as H.D. describes Zeus as "the one who loves us." This line suggests that Zeus is not just a distant authority figure, but that he also cares for his subjects. It also suggests that Zeus's love is unconditional, and that he loves all of his subjects equally.

H.D. then goes on to describe Zeus as "the one who saves us." This line suggests that Zeus has the power to save his subjects from harm. It also suggests that Zeus is a benevolent ruler, who is willing to use his power to protect his subjects.

The poem then takes a more mystical turn, as H.D. describes Zeus as "the one who guides us." This line suggests that Zeus is not just a ruler, but also a spiritual guide. It also suggests that Zeus has the power to lead his subjects to enlightenment and wisdom.

H.D. then goes on to describe Zeus as "the one who hears us." This line suggests that Zeus is not just an all-seeing ruler, but also an all-hearing one. It also suggests that Zeus is willing to listen to his subjects, and that he is open to their needs and desires.

The poem then takes a more hopeful turn, as H.D. describes Zeus as "the one who gives us hope." This line suggests that Zeus is not just a powerful ruler, but also a source of inspiration and optimism. It also suggests that Zeus has the power to give his subjects the strength they need to overcome adversity.

The poem then ends with the line, "Let Zeus be king over us." This line serves as a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it emphasizes Zeus's ultimate authority and power. It also suggests that the speaker is willing to submit to Zeus's rule, and that they trust him to guide them through life.

In conclusion, Let Zeus is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Greek mythology. H.D. uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the majesty and awe-inspiring nature of Zeus. The poem emphasizes Zeus's power and dominance over the natural world, as well as his role as a spiritual guide and source of hope. Overall, Let Zeus is a timeless tribute to one of the most powerful and influential figures in Greek mythology.

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