Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Conrad Aiken's poem "The Wedding" is a richly allegorical work that intertwines elements of Greek mythology with a profound exploration of themes such as love, pride, beauty, and the transformative nature of relationships. Aiken uses the mythological figures of Tithonus and Arachne to create a narrative that is both deeply symbolic and intensely emotional.

The poem opens with Tithonus, a figure from Greek mythology who was granted eternal life but not eternal youth, thus withering with age. He encounters Arachne, a skilled weaver who was transformed into a spider as a punishment for her pride in challenging the goddess Athena. Both characters are depicted as diminished by their respective fates—Tithonus by age and Arachne by her transformation and venomous nature.

In this encounter, Arachne captures and enshrouds Tithonus in her web, a symbol of her power and control, as well as her isolation. The imagery of Tithonus being trapped and poisoned by Arachne evokes themes of entrapment and the destructive potential of relationships.

The interaction between Tithonus and Arachne is fraught with complexity. Arachne's request for Tithonus to sing, despite his weakened state, reflects a desire for connection and recognition, even in their diminished forms. Tithonus's response, a plea for release and a lament over the futility of their late meeting, underscores the tragic nature of their circumstances.

The poem’s exploration of beauty and pride, particularly through Arachne's character, serves as a commentary on the double-edged nature of these qualities. While beauty and talent can be sources of admiration and power, they can also lead to downfall and isolation, as evidenced by Arachne's transformation into a spider and her subsequent actions.

The conclusion of the poem, where Arachne consumes Tithonus, symbolizes the ultimate outcome of their tragic entanglement. This act can be seen as both an expression of Arachne's dominance and a metaphor for the consuming nature of love or passion. Her subsequent forgetting of Tithonus after waking from her nap highlights the ephemeral and often fleeting nature of emotions and relationships.

In "The Wedding," Aiken crafts a narrative that is both mythologically rich and emotionally resonant. The poem serves as a meditation on the complexities of love, the consequences of pride and beauty, and the transformative experiences of relationships, even those that are ultimately destructive. Through the characters of Tithonus and Arachne, Aiken presents a poignant exploration of the human condition, marked by desire, loss, and the relentless passage of time.

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