Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Osiris and Set" by Robert Duncan delves into the mythological narrative of Osiris and Set from ancient Egyptian mythology, exploring themes of chaos, order, and the fundamental forces that shape human consciousness and cultural narratives. Duncan uses this myth to reflect on the broader human experience, encapsulating the eternal struggles between constructive and destructive forces.

The poem begins by situating Osiris and Set as "members of one Life Boat" that contends with chaos, driving back the "darknesses within the dark." This imagery of a boat fighting against chaos sets the stage for a cosmic battle between order (Osiris) and disorder (Set), which is a recurrent theme in Egyptian mythology and in Duncan's interpretation.

Set is depicted as a figure of "primitive terror," the prow of the boat, and "first knowing." He embodies the necessary opposition in the world, the force that challenges the light and brings complexity to the human and divine realms. Duncan describes Set's actions vividly: he fights against Osiris, scatters the first light, and seduces Horus. These actions symbolize disruption, temptation, and the introduction of knowledge and sexual awareness, which are integral to the human condition.

Duncan then transitions to explore the role of Set in the "court of the law," where he challenges and subverts the established order, "giving us the lie." This portrayal suggests that Set's role is not just to be the antagonist but also to be a necessary agent of change and questioning within the cosmic and moral order.

The poem also reflects on the loss of innocence, guided by Set, who was once considered a "Father" figure and taught harsh lessons that led to the ruin of innocence. Duncan connects these mythological themes to the human experience, describing how the "great boat of the gods penetrates the thick meat," a metaphor for divine forces influencing or penetrating the material world, and human consciousness.

The depiction of sensory and motor intelligences as "quick nerves out that are tongues of light at the boundaries" showcases the interplay between divine influence and human physicality and perception. Duncan hints at a hidden design or plan in human actions and experiences, visible in the "closed palm, in the human face."

Towards the conclusion, the poem elevates the myth to a cosmic and psychological drama that encompasses all of human experience. Isis's role in searching for and reassembling Osiris represents the quest for wholeness and understanding amid the fragments of human experience and identity. This act is a metaphor for the psychological and cultural process of making sense of the world and oneself.

Finally, Duncan envisions a transcendence of the conflict between Horus and Set, suggesting a unification of opposing forces within the psyche and the cosmos. The poem ends with a visionary image of reconciliation and renewal: "Now it is time for Hell to nurse at the teats of Heaven. Dark sucks at the white milk. Stars flow out into the deserted souls. In our dreams we are drawn towards dawn once more." This passage symbolizes a hope for rebirth and enlightenment, emerging from the integration of all aspects of the self and the universe.

"Osiris and Set" is a richly allegorical and profound poem that uses ancient mythology to explore deep truths about human nature, the struggles between different aspects of the psyche, and the potential for reconciliation and renewal within the human spirit.

POEM TEXT: https://writing.upenn.edu/library/SET-1_Gerrit-Lansing_1961.pdf

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