Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Orpheus" is a reflective exploration of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, delving into themes of loss, regret, and the complexities of artistic genius. The poem reimagines the ancient story with a modern sensibility, questioning the nature of failure, the role of the artist, and the human tendency to assign blame in the face of tragedy.

The poem begins by focusing on the pivotal moment in the myth: "When Orpheus turned / and looked back and knew / that genius wasn’t enough." This line immediately situates the reader in the moment of Orpheus's tragic mistake—turning back to look at Eurydice, thus condemning her to remain in the underworld. The phrase "genius wasn’t enough" suggests that despite Orpheus's extraordinary talent and the power of his music, he could not overcome his human frailty or the immutable laws of the underworld. This acknowledgment of the limitations of genius introduces a central theme of the poem: the tension between artistic mastery and human weakness.

Pastan then poses a question that deepens the exploration of Orpheus's internal conflict: "I wonder which he regretted most: / the failure of will, / Eurydice lost, / or what it must mean for her / to remain / a fraction of darkness?" This question reflects on the multiple layers of Orpheus's regret. The "failure of will" refers to his inability to resist the urge to look back, despite knowing the consequences. The loss of Eurydice is, of course, the immediate and most personal consequence of this failure. However, the poem also considers a more existential aspect of the tragedy: the idea that Eurydice is now condemned to be "a fraction of darkness," incomplete and separated from the light of life. This phrase captures the profound and irreversible nature of her loss, not just as Orpheus's beloved, but as a being reduced to a mere shadow of existence.

The poem then shifts to consider Orpheus's life after this tragic event: "Did he still tame animals / with his songs, / or would that seem a child’s game now?" This question suggests that the power of Orpheus's music, which once could charm even the wildest of creatures, may have lost its significance in the face of such profound loss. The idea that this ability might now seem trivial—"a child’s game"—indicates a deep disillusionment, as if the very essence of his art has been tainted by his failure.

The image of Orpheus tuning his lyre "to a minor key" and the "last notes falling / like darkened leaves" conveys a sense of melancholy and resignation. The minor key, often associated with sadness or mourning in music, reflects the emotional weight that Orpheus now carries. The notes "falling / like darkened leaves" suggest both the passage of time and the decay of something once vibrant and alive. The reference to Lesbos, an island associated with the poet Sappho, further connects the idea of artistic expression with themes of loss and longing.

In the latter part of the poem, Pastan introduces a modern reinterpretation of the myth through George Balanchine's ballet: "In Balanchine’s ballet / the failure seems Eurydice’s fault / who tempted his blindfold off." This reinterpretation shifts the blame from Orpheus to Eurydice, suggesting that she bears responsibility for her own doom. This perspective challenges the traditional narrative, where Orpheus is seen as the one who falters. The idea that "the artist must be absolved" reflects a broader cultural tendency to absolve the artist of personal failings, as if the purity of their art excuses their human flaws.

The final lines of the poem delve into the relationship between the artist's body and their art: "as if what matters / is the body itself – / that instrument stringed / with tendon and bone / making its own music." Here, Pastan suggests that the artist's physical body is as much an instrument as the lyre Orpheus plays, capable of producing its own "music" through the tension of "tendon and bone." This metaphor emphasizes the physical and emotional strain that comes with being an artist, as well as the inextricable connection between the artist's body and their creative output.

In "Orpheus," Pastan reexamines a timeless myth through a contemporary lens, questioning the nature of artistic genius, the inevitability of human failure, and the complex interplay of blame and absolution. The poem invites readers to consider the heavy burden carried by those who create, as well as the costs of their genius, both for themselves and those they love. Through its rich imagery and introspective tone, the poem offers a profound meditation on the enduring relevance of ancient myths and the ways they continue to resonate with modern experiences of love, loss, and the pursuit of perfection.

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