In Leda and the Swan, Yeats retells the classic Greek myth
of the rape of Leda by Zeus in the form of a swan. Yeats shows violence through
the use of language and the description of the Swan having "great wings
beating still" creates an imagery of somebody being attacked in some form.
The word "beating" and “staggering” makes the action seem repetitive
which means it must be causing more damage or pain. Also the reader is aware
that wings are “beating”, however do not know who the wings belong to. Yeats
also uses sexual connotations such as the 'broken wall' which represents the
females hymen, being "broken", this explains Leda's experience of
being involved in a sexual activity, however in this case it is rape. The
description of the “dark” webs also creates a sense of fear, mystery and
uncertainty around the Swan. A feminist critic describes the poem as ‘troublesome
and potentially repugnant some readers.” I certainly agree with this critic, especially
due to the fact I personally believe the poem has glorified the idea of rape which I think is morally utterly wrong!
No comments:
Post a Comment