Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Anubis Will Stare" by Charles Olson, evokes themes of mortality, judgment, and existential inquiry, likely drawing on the symbolism of Anubis—the ancient Egyptian god associated with the afterlife and protection of graves.

In "Anubis Will Stare," Olson addresses the inevitability of scrutiny and judgment, possibly by an external or internal force. The presence of Anubis, a mythological figure associated with the dead, suggests that Olson is exploring mortality and self-judgment with symbolic language and references to foundational myths. He interrogates themes of rightness, male identity, and the responsibility inherent to one's actions, stating, "A man is right, / Or he is nothing." This line reflects Olson's interest in integrity, a theme that resonates throughout his work as he probes what it means to live in accordance with one's beliefs.

The poem juxtaposes figures like Anubis and Pandora—both associated with mythical transgressions and consequences. Pandora, famously blamed for releasing chaos into the world due to her curiosity, appears here as a foil to male figures who, in Olson's view, take on "the First righteousness." Olson may be critiquing a tendency to place responsibility on feminine curiosity while ignoring the self-imposed constraints of male righteousness. This creates a dialogue about sin, responsibility, and the human condition, placing weight on the consequences of these archetypal actions.

Anubis's stare is an unflinching, unyielding gaze that suggests an absolute judgment—something beyond human law or perception, a kind of spiritual or existential reckoning. Olson's lines, "Plenty of matter, that you, too, you / shall die. And without an eye," indicate a raw confrontation with death’s impartiality. By invoking physicality and the inevitability of decay ("without an eye"), Olson strips down human existence to its core truths.

Throughout the poem, Olson's language shifts from philosophical to intensely personal, bringing in memories of family and punishment. The references to his grandfather and uncle, intertwined with the contemplation of mortality, situate his musings within a lineage, showing how these larger questions impact everyday life and personal relationships. This blend of myth and memory deepens the meditation on mortality, illustrating how the past and inherited beliefs shape our encounters with life’s ultimate questions.

In the end, the poem invites readers to "beware of her," pointing to an enigmatic feminine force that could be seen as either Pandora or perhaps a symbol of temptation or the unknown. This warning closes the poem on a cautionary note, suggesting that understanding and self-awareness demand vigilance and humility. Through "Anubis Will Stare," Olson crafts a narrative that is as much about inner reckoning as it is about the universal human condition, weaving together myth, philosophy, and personal history into a meditation on judgment, legacy, and the existential weight of being.

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