Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Denise Levertov’s "St. Peter and the Angel" explores the biblical story of St. Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles. Through evocative language and rich imagery, Levertov delves into themes of liberation, divine intervention, and the profound implications of newfound freedom.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Peter's dire situation: "Delivered out of raw continual pain, / smell of darkness, groans of those others / to whom he was chained—." These lines immediately set a scene of intense suffering and confinement. The sensory details—raw pain, the smell of darkness, and the groans of fellow prisoners—evoke the oppressive atmosphere of the prison.

Peter's miraculous release is depicted as a quiet, almost ethereal event: "unchained, and led / past the sleepers, / door after door silently opening— / out!" The repeated use of silence and the image of doors silently opening create a sense of awe and wonder. The "majestic emptiness" of the long street under the moon contrasts sharply with the confinement he has just left, emphasizing the vastness of his newfound freedom.

Levertov portrays Peter's initial disbelief and disorientation: "one hand on the angel's shoulder, one / feeling the air before him, / eyes open but fixed . . ." This imagery captures his tentative steps into freedom, guided by the angel and yet unsure of his reality. The fixation of his eyes suggests a trance-like state, as if he is not fully present or convinced of his liberation.

The poem takes a reflective turn when the angel leaves: "And not till he saw the angel had left him, / alone and free to resume / the ecstatic, dangerous, wearisome roads of / what he had still to do, / not till then did he recognize / this was no dream." The departure of the angel signifies a turning point, where Peter must come to terms with his freedom and the responsibilities that come with it. The description of the roads as "ecstatic, dangerous, wearisome" encapsulates the mixed emotions of freedom—joy, peril, and fatigue.

The realization of his freedom is more frightening than his previous captivity: "More frightening / than arrest, than being chained to his warders: / he could hear his own footsteps suddenly." This moment of awareness, where Peter hears his own footsteps, underscores the isolation and the weight of his independence. The absence of the angel’s footsteps, which he cannot recall hearing, adds to the eerie solitude of his situation.

The final lines of the poem highlight the responsibility that comes with freedom: "He himself must be / the key, now, to the next door, / the next terrors of freedom and joy." This metaphor of Peter as the key suggests that his actions and decisions will determine his path forward. The "terrors of freedom and joy" acknowledge that liberation brings with it new challenges and uncertainties, but also the potential for profound happiness and fulfillment.

"St. Peter and the Angel" is a powerful meditation on the complexities of freedom and the spiritual journey. Through her evocative language and thoughtful reflections, Levertov captures the profound transformation of Peter’s escape, exploring the interplay between divine intervention and human agency. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of liberation and the responsibilities that come with embracing freedom.

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