jakedarobot
09-25-2007, 03:21 PM
I recently wrote a paper on this poem, it is simply beautiful. The thing that stood out most to me, were the names and what they represent. I may be wrong to assume this, but Aphra is remarkable similar to aphrodites, she may be embodying her self in the poem as love itself.
The men she loves, Damon and Alexis allude to Greek mythology, and its turbulent fall from grace. Alexis I or Alexius was put into power by the crusaders and promised the crusaders that he would see personally to the fall of Greek mythology as religion. This is evident as nod towards Mars, the god of war.
Damon on the other hand represents true compassion and emotion, the polar opposite of mars. In his story, he is a dear friend of Pythias. When Pythias is condemned to death for plotting against Dionysus. Pythias’s gives his word to return upon settling his affairs, for his execution, and Damon vows to trade his life if Pythias does not return. When Pythias returned, Dionysus was so impressed with their bond of friendship that he allowed Pythias to live.
She betrays emotion, thinking herself into knots, pondering Damon, a portrayal of human faculty, and betrays logic with the love of Alexis, the icon of emotion. Her plead to Cupid, is a cry for true love, transcendence, over the conflict of mind and body.
I know the beauty of poetry is each persons interpretation, that being said i would like to know every bodies thoughts for I may be reading to much into it. THANKS!!!!!:banana:
The men she loves, Damon and Alexis allude to Greek mythology, and its turbulent fall from grace. Alexis I or Alexius was put into power by the crusaders and promised the crusaders that he would see personally to the fall of Greek mythology as religion. This is evident as nod towards Mars, the god of war.
Damon on the other hand represents true compassion and emotion, the polar opposite of mars. In his story, he is a dear friend of Pythias. When Pythias is condemned to death for plotting against Dionysus. Pythias’s gives his word to return upon settling his affairs, for his execution, and Damon vows to trade his life if Pythias does not return. When Pythias returned, Dionysus was so impressed with their bond of friendship that he allowed Pythias to live.
She betrays emotion, thinking herself into knots, pondering Damon, a portrayal of human faculty, and betrays logic with the love of Alexis, the icon of emotion. Her plead to Cupid, is a cry for true love, transcendence, over the conflict of mind and body.
I know the beauty of poetry is each persons interpretation, that being said i would like to know every bodies thoughts for I may be reading to much into it. THANKS!!!!!:banana: