Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Cause, the Cause," Charles Olson explores themes of duality, self-reflection, and the cyclical struggle between creation and destruction. This poem delves into the complex interplay between masculine and feminine energies, the intrinsic conflicts of identity, and the haunting inevitability of transformation through destruction. Olson’s language is raw and vivid, emphasizing the primal and sometimes grotesque elements of human experience, making the poem resonate as a dark meditation on existential continuity and the contradictions embedded in human relationships.

The repetition of "it is the cause, the cause" echoes Shakespeare’s "Othello", a reference that introduces themes of jealousy, possessiveness, and self-destruction. Like Othello, Olson’s speaker grapples with an internal conflict, navigating the dichotomy of self and other, masculine and feminine. This invocation suggests a tragic inevitability, a force that drives individuals toward actions they might otherwise resist. Olson posits this “cause” as both ambiguous and unavoidable, shaping the fates and behaviors of his subjects even as they struggle against it.

In the poem, Olson places his characters by a "bubbling caldron in which bones and furniture are tossed." This image of a cauldron—a primal, archetypal symbol of transformation—signifies both creation and destruction. The contents of the cauldron are unnerving: bones, furniture, child’s fingers. These remnants serve as physical manifestations of past lives and identities, hinting at the perpetual cycle of life feeding into death and vice versa. The presence of childlike remnants in this chaotic mixture emphasizes the loss of innocence and the unavoidable blend of creation and annihilation that characterizes human existence.

Olson’s exploration of the dynamics between “he” and “she” addresses the fundamental duality of human relationships. He describes "her multiple withholdings, her not at all dumb dance, her measurings" and “his watchings where the arc is now being pushed.” Through these lines, Olson portrays the tension and power struggle that often exist between male and female, emphasizing how each withholds parts of themselves to maintain control or fulfill certain expectations. The act of “measuring” and “withholding” suggests a calculated attempt to maintain autonomy, even as each partner remains deeply entangled with the other.

The notion of "another half" that repeatedly appears throughout the poem reflects the complex relationship between self and other, especially within intimate partnerships. Olson portrays each individual as containing a hidden “other” within them, a secondary identity that is sometimes a source of confusion and self-alienation. The man, who “smothered her because he could not free his half self from her likeness,” sees in the woman a reflection of his own incomplete self. This dynamic extends to the woman, who also "conceals a brother." Olson suggests that each person, man or woman, carries within them aspects of the other gender—a metaphor for the internal struggle to reconcile conflicting parts of one’s identity. These “halves” within each character mirror each other, complicating their relationships and often leading to destructive outcomes.

This tragic cycle culminates in the phrase, "to murder to be free from incubus." Here, Olson implies that in seeking liberation from their inner demons—symbolized as an “incubus” or oppressive spirit—individuals are driven to violence, both literal and metaphorical. Yet this violence, according to Olson, stems not from intrinsic evil but from an inability to accept “difference” and coexist with the complexities of dual identity. He describes this point of contention as "the cause here spoiled." The “cause” or reason for existence, intertwined with love and destruction, becomes corrupted when individuals refuse to accept the inherent differences within themselves and their partners.

Olson’s exploration of gendered archetypes—the “female male” and “mono-beast”—transcends traditional notions of gender. He portrays men and women as hybrid beings, each containing aspects of the other. By suggesting that both man and woman become "mono-beast," Olson implies a loss of harmony and individuality, where each becomes an undifferentiated entity driven by base instincts. This transformation reflects a return to a primal state, far removed from the nuanced identities they once held. This degradation serves as a warning against suppressing individuality in relationships, where identities dissolve into a “mono-beast” as primal as it is destructive.

The phrase "by a hair of difference" reinforces the delicate nature of identity and the profound impact of even the smallest distinctions. Olson’s invocation of “hair” as a symbol for difference highlights how fragile and seemingly inconsequential distinctions are vital in preserving individuality. Without these fine threads of difference, he suggests, individuals risk becoming subsumed into a chaotic, undifferentiated existence.

The poem concludes with a return to the central theme: "it is the cause…by which all eyes are two." Olson asserts that the “cause” is not only a force for division but also the foundation of duality and perspective. By acknowledging that “eyes are two,” Olson alludes to the multiplicity of perspectives and identities that coexist within each individual. The “cause” sustains life through its inherent duality, allowing individuals to encounter one another not as mirrors but as distinct, complex entities. Yet this same cause holds the potential for unity and dissolution, symbolized by the “man” and “woman” as the “hidden others” within one another, united by the thinnest threads of distinction.

Ultimately, "Cause, the Cause" is Olson’s meditation on the complexity of human identity, relationships, and the inescapable tension between unity and separation. Through this exploration of duality, Olson emphasizes the necessity of embracing difference as a source of vitality and identity rather than a threat. His layered language and vivid imagery underscore the fragile equilibrium upon which identity rests, revealing how easily the boundaries between self and other can dissolve—and the consequences of such dissolution. Olson’s vision is a somber yet poignant reminder of the “cause” that underpins existence, urging an acceptance of the contradictions that define human life.

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