Lady Lazarus Essay, Research Paper
Death is one of the major themes of Sylvia Plath’s poetry. Many of her poems are elaborate explorations of the concept of death. It was also one of her major preoccupations, as can be seen from the documentation of her life.
She attempted suicide at various intervals throughout her life. However, the events in her life were not entirely responsible for each of her three attempts and eventual death. To the outsider her life seemed perfect but over the course of time she had numerous bouts of depression and breakdowns. Her state of mind during these times has been fairly well expressed in her work.
Her poetry with its treatments of death and suicide give her readers a deeper insight on death. Her last poems,written right before she killed herself, give death a sort of cruel allure and her mental anguish is plain to see. It seem as if death is more than just an insistent fixation for her, it is more like a process or treatment. Like and enticing potion that will help her achieve some end.
Lady Lazarus is one of her more famous poems, from a collection entitled Ariel (published posthumously). It is a poem reflecting Plath’s own suicide attempts. Lazarus in the title is a reference to the New Testament. Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus. The poem too, is about a sort of female Lazarus who can die and rise again. The woman in the poem, who is also the narrator, is famous for this ability. She speaks of dying over and over again. And how even when her body has begun to decay, she soon comes back to normal, almost as good as new. The comparison of herself to a cat with “nine times to die” indicates that she will not give up till she actually succeeds.
The repeated resurrections have made the woman into a horrifying spectacle. She does not expect a sympathetic response from the “crowd” of spectators that surround her. She does not feel any connection with the people that come to watch her. This is evident from the last stanza where she is describing herself as a mock phoenix, rising “out of the ash” from another failed suicide attempt. She is a myth that people want to marvel at from a distance. She does not feel that they can relate to her. She is a separate being incapable of evoking any compassionate response. She is only a spectacle that people are actually “charged” to get a better look at.
“The second time I meant /To last it out and not come back at all./I rocked shut /As a seashell. /They had to call and call /And pick the worms off me like sticky pearls”
These lines refer to Plath’s own second suicide attempt. She took sleeping pills and locked herself in he basement. She was found and revived after a few days. They again underline her obsession with the process of decay of the human body after death.
One gets the feeling that perhaps Plath resented being saved because the lines “So, so, Herr Doktor. So, Herr enemy. I am your opus, I am your valuable, The pure gold baby,” are almost mocking. The narrator addresses the doctor/enemy and tells them she’s aware of how valuable she is to them, but she still must keep trying to kill herself. This is evident from the line “I guess you could say I’ve a call.” It is as if some deeper, more powerful self has grabbed control of her and is guiding her to keep trying until she succeeds. It is as important as any call of duty to her.
The woman could perhaps be portraying a secret part of Plath that she could not express to anyone for fear of not being understood. Maybe she did not even want to be understood and was writing simply to purge herself of whatever it was that possessed her.
The poem also compares the woman to a concentration camp victim. In the lines “A cake of soap, A wedding ring, a gold filling,” Plath is referring to Jews and how their corpses were scavenged for anything of use. She’s indicating that even after death the people surrounding her will be of the dispassionate spectator type, only interested in making use of her material belongings. They will have no personal interest in her. The same way they did not when she was alive.
The language Plath uses in the poem is rhythmic and lyrical. It is almost as if the voice of the narrator reaches out to the reader. The poem comes directly form the narrator and she is characterized by what she is saying. Her morbid fascination with death and how to attain it flow from the poem as if in speech. It makes it easier for one to comprehend death, and that the will to die can be a hidden desire in man himself.
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Come You Spirts Essay Research Paper
“Come, you spirits; That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here?” In Macbeth, William Shakespeare writes this passage in order to tell us about the character of Lady Macbeth. Using only this line, we can almost determine Lady Macbeth’s personality and her motives. Up to the point where this quote leaves off, we have not heard much of Lady Macbeth.
Sonnet About Death Essay Research Paper Death
Sonnet About Death Essay, Research Paper Death is full of sorrow and surprise Sooner or later it comes at anytime. Even though I do not remember my demise In my hearts I still remember my greatest crime.
Power In Macbeth Essay Research Paper There
Power In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper There are many different types of power which a person may have. Some of the time, however, the person in that power is not the best person to be in that power. This is especially true in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Throughout the course of the play, the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth are the people with the most power over Macbeth’s life.
Macbeth 2 Essay Research Paper Mac Beth
Macbeth 2 Essay, Research Paper Mac Beth Shakespeare s time treasured classic play MacBeth has withstood the criticism of hundreds of years and has still remained popular and world-renown to this day. In this essay, I am going to characterize the three essential characters: Banquo, Lady MacBeth and MacBeth as portrayed through act II.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper I am
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper I am all for Capital Punishment. I think that if you kill someone you should be given the death penalty. I think that the death of the killer would give family and friends a bit of ease
Near Death Experiences Essay Research Paper It
Near Death Experiences Essay, Research Paper It all begins for us at birth. We are thrust into a world of constant activity from childhood all the way up to adulthood. Life is busy and we tend not to think about the fact of our inevitable death. It doesn?t seem to make any sense that we will no longer exist as we know it.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated Duncan when he came to the land. She hated the fact that he stood a chance of being king over her husband which ment she stood a chance of not being queen. Knowing this,
The Last Night That She Lived Essay
, Research Paper Dickinson writes about a lady that is dying peacefully. The language used presents the speaker’s attitude as accepting, towards the woman’s death. In “The Last Night that She Lived,” Dickinson uses repitition, imagery, and personification to portray the speaker’s attitude.
The Lazarus Plot Essay Research Paper Me
The Lazarus Plot Essay, Research Paper Me and my brother Frank are decideing to take a well deserved vacation to the north maine mountians when we got there frank stayed at the camp site setting up camp while i went for a walk through the woods but then to my surprise i saw my girlfriend which was supposed to have died when some terrorist had dropped a bomb on her car i tryed to run ‘owards her but she ran back into the woods so i went back to camp and explained the situation to Frank even though Frank didnt beleive me he went with me into the woods that i had last seen my girlfreind Iola as we went deeper into the woods we were suddenly shot at and were just able to hide behind a tree to escape the bullets after the shooting was over we decided to continue after the people who had fired at us when we caught up with them they were standing around so we jumped into action and made the
Death Essay Research Paper Why must there
Death Essay, Research Paper Why must there be death? Death is sad. So why must we bare sadness? Because nobody can stop death. Why do people die? Why must our loved ones die?
James Bartlett Essay Research Paper James Bartlett1240
James Bartlett Essay, Research Paper James Bartlett 1240 NW 175 terr Miami, Fl 33169 305 621 4377 Ms. Latcna My pouch was taken, at the Winn Dixie store. At that time I called First Union to tell them about it, I talked to a lady in the fraud division. She called the bank that I use and, I was told not to change the account.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper There are people
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper There are people in life that will go to extreme measures to get what they want. People will lie, cheat, and steal, while some even murder. In the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare wrote how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth used their ambition as a device to get money and power. Throughout the play Lady Macbeth had different initial reactions to the idea of Duncan s murder, both prior to and immediately after his death.
Lady Macbeth Seduces Macbeth In Many Ways
Essay, Research Paper Lady Macbeth does everything in her power to seduce Macbeth. She comforts him and gives him strength after Duncans murder. She emasculates and belittles him to convince him to commit the murder. She covertly seduces Macbeth by her suicide. When Macbeth finds out about her death he loses all hope and gives up on life.
Explain How Macbeth Comes To The Conclusion
To Not Kill Duncan And How Lady Macbeth Changes His Mind Essay, Research Paper brave and confident Macbeth has a choice to kill, or not to kill Duncan. Macbeth is torn between these two decisions and is unsure what to do. Lady
Lady Of Shalott Essay Research Paper FALLFor
Lady Of Shalott Essay, Research Paper FALL For me the fall is an exhilarating time of year. A time of change, an in-between period of muddled and varied weather. For others who view fall as a short time before a dreary winter, fall takes on a less colorful face. Alfred Lord Tennyson uses fall metaphorically throughout “The Lady of Shalott” to illustrate how the Lady of Shalott’s life (or lack thereof) progresses.
Sir Lanval Essay Research Paper Intro paragraph
Sir Lanval Essay, Research Paper Intro paragraph: A warrior is a person that values his country and will protect it at all costs. He is brave and valient and does not care whether he dies in battle just as long as he’s fighting for his country and for a good cause. Sometimes warriors sacrifice their beliefs in the case of love or religion.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth EssayFrom the
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Essay From the very beginning Macbeth has been a victim of the witches? prophecy and Lady Macbeth?s ambition. With no support he soon succumbed to the pressures of each.
All Is Not Well In The Land
Of The Lion King Essay, Research Paper All is Well in Land of ?The Lion King? In the article, All?s Not Well in Land of ?The Lion King,? by Margaret Lazarus, the author over exaggerates an animated classic, investigating as to whether or not the movie is politically correct and morally right. The essay examines and stereotypes the movie, and comes to various misguided conclusions.
MacbethWho Killed Duncan Essay Research Paper MacbethWho
Macbeth..Who Killed Duncan Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Who Really Killed Duncan ? Who really did kill Duncan? This has been a question asked by many historians of Shakespeare. There are many theories that have developed over the years. Some say it was MacDuff, Lady Macbeth, or even Duncan’s own two sons.
My Fair Lady Essay Research Paper My
My Fair Lady Essay, Research Paper My Fair Lady is a musical comedy written by Bernard Shaw, which is set in England. The story is about Elisa, who spoke very bad English, with a cockney accent, but she wanted to learn how to speak better English, so she went to a phonetics? teacher, Higgins. Elisa was very poor, so she didn?t have the money to pay for the lessons.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth although largely
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth, although largely responsible, was not totally responsible for the torrent of evil which was unleashed in Scotland after after Duncan’s death. Both Lady Macbeth and the supernatural powers must accept at last some of the responsibility for the evil deeds unleashed during Macbeth reign.
Crazy Lady Essay Research Paper this book
Crazy Lady Essay, Research Paper this book is about a lady that has a son named ronald and has a mental problem. But their is a kid named vernon tha he deos stuff to that lady when he is with his friends. Until onne day he started to feel bad for tha lady and her son and he went and apologized, the crazy lady said that she knew vernons mother as they were talking and vernon became freinds with the crazy ladys mentally ill child named Ronald.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Downfall of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Downfall of Macbeth Macbeth’s love for Lady Macbeth, in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, caused Macbeth to feel the need to prove his manhood, which eventually lead to his downfall. Macbeth was not secure in his manhood, so he felt the need to prove himself to Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacbethThe
Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady Macbeth The downfall of Macbeth was a great tragedy. He knew it was not right to kill the king, but he felt he had no other choice. He was trapped into doing wrong. Lady Macbeth gave him the evil ideas throughout the play. She was his driving force. Without her, Macbeth wouldn’t have done what he did.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Destruction of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Destruction of Macbeth Three factors that are at work to destroy Macbeth are the flaws in his own character, the forces of evil of the Devil represented by the Tree Weird Sisters, and Lady
Joke Essay Research Paper Pretty funny You
Joke Essay, Research Paper Pretty funny!!!! You could die laughing…… A little old lady went into the Bank of Canada one day, carrying a bag of money. She insisted that she must speak with the president of the bank to open a savings account because, “It’s a lot of money!”
Arnold Lazarus Essay Research Paper Arnold Lazarus
Arnold Lazarus Essay, Research Paper Arnold Lazarus was born in 1932. He was born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Although Dr. Lazarus grew up in South Africa, he strongly identified with the United States.” (Corey, 2001, chap. 10)
Macbeath Essay Research Paper Anthony Sears12298Period 2Macbeth
Macbeath Essay, Research Paper Anthony Sears 12-2-98 Period 2 Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two megalomaniacs. Their actions in the first two acts are very childish and selfish. Their lust for power and control over runs their lives and becomes something to die for. Lady Macbeth is very persuasive, and Macbeth will almost follow her very word.
Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper At the
Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper At the start of the play, Lady Macbeth seems to have a very strong character – almost stronger than Macbeth’s – but by the end she is reduced to being afraid of the dark. At the beginning she is Macbeth’s ‘dearest partner of greatness’, but at the end she is his ‘fiend-like queen’.