Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Bible Study: 71 B.C.E.," Sharon Olds imagines the aftermath of the brutal crucifixion of 6,000 men following the defeat of Spartacus' army by Marcus Licinius Crassus. The poem contemplates the psychological and moral detachment of Crassus as he oversees this horrific act of mass execution. Through a narrative lens, Olds delves into the possible mindset of Crassus, portraying him as a figure distanced from the agony he inflicts, and exploring the chilling implications of such detachment.

The poem begins with a stark historical reference, stating the brutal fact of the mass crucifixion as recorded. Olds immediately draws attention to the impersonal nature of historical records, as they reduce a gruesome event to mere numbers and logistics. The image of Crassus driving in "18,000 nails" serves as a symbolic representation of his responsibility, though Olds suggests a physical and emotional distance between him and the act. This distance is further explored as the speaker speculates on Crassus' actions and state of mind during the crucifixions. The imagery of a "human woods" evokes a forest of suffering, each cross bearing a life snuffed out.

Olds speculates that Crassus likely stayed in his tent, perhaps indulging in wine and sex, while the executions took place outside. This conjecture paints a picture of a man disconnected from the consequences of his orders, indulging in the pleasures of power. The metaphor of "woodwind-tuning" suggests a macabre symphony being played out at Crassus' command, each crucifixion a note in a composition of cruelty. The phrase "his orchard" and the description of the earth "bristling with it" liken the field of crosses to a perverse garden, cultivated by Crassus. This image encapsulates the cold, almost agricultural approach to human life and death.

The poem takes a more introspective turn as the speaker reflects on Crassus' potential sense of pleasure and balance in overseeing this atrocity. The idea that Crassus might have experienced a perverse sense of justice or retribution, possibly rooted in his own past sufferings, highlights the dark complexities of human nature. Olds acknowledges her own monstrous empathy, suggesting that considering Crassus' perspective, however horrific, is an exercise in understanding the depths of human depravity.

A haunting moment in the poem imagines Crassus suddenly waking to the reality of his actions, experiencing a moment of empathy. The hypothetical scenario of Crassus lowering one man from the cross and witnessing the relief in the man's eyes introduces a powerful contrast to his detachment. The "wild terror of understanding the other" underscores the potential for awakening to the shared humanity with those he has condemned. However, Olds is quick to remind us of the improbability of such an epiphany. The pragmatic and cynical view prevails; Crassus remains ensnared in his own monstrous dream, untroubled by the human cost of his actions.

The poem concludes with the disturbing image of Crassus viewing the field of crucified men as an "external organ, a heart." This metaphor suggests a grotesque connection between Crassus and the mass execution, as if the suffering of others serves as an extension of his own being, a twisted assertion of his power and control.

"Bible Study: 71 B.C.E." is a powerful exploration of the capacity for detachment and cruelty in positions of power. Olds masterfully uses historical context to examine the timelessness of human atrocity and the psychological mechanisms that enable such acts. The poem challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, empathy, and the ease with which humanity can be stripped away in the pursuit of domination. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, Olds offers a chilling meditation on the nature of moral responsibility and the frightening potential for disconnection from the suffering of others.

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