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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
The poem opens with the image of "Dead Cleopatra" in a "crystal casket," an image that conjures both the preservation of her physical form and the idea of her being on display, even in death. The meticulous preparation of her body for burial ("Wrapped and spiced by the cunningest of hands") underscores the ancient Egyptian practice of preserving the dead, which ironically prolongs Cleopatra's existence beyond the natural decay. Aiken notes Cleopatra's past reverence and beauty, describing her as "warm-eyed" and a "princess of the south." This serves to remind the reader of her once-great status and allure, creating a stark contrast with her current state as "very old and dry and faded." The mention of grave robbers desecrating her tomb introduces a sense of violation and disrespect for the dead. This act further emphasizes the futility of attempting to preserve and honor the body when, in the end, it becomes subject to theft and desecration. The poet reflects on the absurdity of Cleopatra's preserved state, pondering what her lover, likely a reference to Mark Antony or Julius Caesar, would have thought had he foreseen her fate. Would he have been moved by the tragic irony of her preservation, which has only prolonged her exposure to the ravages of time and human interference? The closing stanza shifts from the historical and specific to the universal and personal. Aiken expresses a desire for a return to the earth in death, for himself and his beloved, seeking a more natural and peaceful end. The imagery of "sending up grass and blossoms to the sky" symbolizes a return to the natural cycle, where death gives way to new life, in contrast to the artificial preservation of Cleopatra. In summary, "Discordants: 4" uses the historical figure of Cleopatra as a powerful symbol to explore the themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of beauty and power, and the desire for a natural return to the earth after death. Aiken's contemplative and lyrical approach provides a poignant meditation on the human condition and our relationship with the inevitable process of decay and renewal.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DISCORDANTS: 3 by CONRAD AIKEN VARIATIONS: 10 by CONRAD AIKEN ORGANIZATION MEN IN AFFLUENT SOCIETY by KENNETH REXROTH ANTONY AND [OR, TO] CLEOPATRA by WILLIAM HAINES LYTLE CLEOPATRA by WILLIAM WETMORE STORY AT DENDERA by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR ON THE STATUE OF CLEOPATRA, MADE INTO A FOUNTAIN BY LEO X by BALDASSARRE CASTIGLIONE CLEOPATRA'S SOLILOQUY by MARY BAYARD CLARK LOVELY DAMES by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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