What does bride's breath soured mean?

Early in the poem, for example, the speaker describes her transformation, saying, “My bride's breath soured, stank / in the grey bags of my lungs.” The intensity and suddenness of this transformation—from bride to monster—can be read as a subtle criticism of the binaries forced onto women by men.

What is bullet tears?

The oxymoronic metaphor 'bullet tears' emphasises the danger that Medusa brings, yet still evokes a sympathy from the reader because of her suffering. The whole poem is an extended metaphor for a jealous woman who is grieving for her partner and turns against him.

How is jealousy presented in Medusa?

Jealousy is like poison and is seen in the poem. The poison infiltrates the snakes which “ grew in mind” and is physically spat out. This shows the characters intensity of feelings. In the first line it shows that Medusa lacks in confidence and insecure.

What is the poem Demeter about?

'Demeter' by Carol Ann Duffy is about a mother's love for her daughter and how it transcends time. It focuses on the mythological story of Demeter and Persephone. 'Demeter' is one of many popular poems published in Duffy's well-loved volume, The World's Wife.

What is Salome by Carol Ann Duffy about?

In 'Salome' Duffy retells the biblical story of the step daughter of Herod II and daughter of his second wife Herodias. She is believed to have lived between AD 14 to approximately AD 62. She is infamous for having demanded the head of John the Baptist 'on a platter', according to the New Testament.

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What does turf out the blighter mean?

The word "blighter" has a negative connotation, as it means someone who is rude and irritating person. Therefore, she had to "turf out" which means dismiss or eject in the colloquial language, because the sexual contact with that person was unpleasant to her. who'd come like a lamb to the slaughter.

Was Salome a real person?

Salome, (flourished 1st century ce), according to the Jewish historian Josephus, the daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, tetrarch (ruler appointed by Rome) of Galilee, a region in Palestine.

What is Demeter's myth?

The legend centres on the story of her daughter Persephone, who is carried off by Hades, the god of the underworld. Demeter goes in search of Persephone and, during her journey, reveals her secret rites to the people of Eleusis, who had hospitably received her (see Eleusinian Mysteries).

How does Demeter connect to the modern world?

The connection Demeter has to our modern world is that she helps our farmers crops grow and help our seasons continue to prosper and make each day as beautiful as the last , but once in a while there will always be a dry season and thats when Persephone is with Hades , and Demeter is waiting.

Which turned the hairs on my head to filthy snakes?

Lines 1-5: “A suspicion, a doubt, a jealousy / grew in my mind, / which turned the hairs on my head to filthy snakes / as though my thoughts / hissed and spat on my scalp.”

Who loves Medusa?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair.

Why was Athena jealous of Medusa?

What caught his attention most were the gorgeous, golden locks of hair Medusa had. Because Poseidon took such a liking to Medusa, he charmed her and swayed her off her feet. The two were caught having a love affair in Athena's temple. Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious!

Who was Medusa before?

Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one.

Who killed Medusa?

Perseus set out with the aid of the gods, who provided him with divine tools. While the Gorgons slept, the hero attacked, using Athena's polished shield to view the reflection of Medusa's awful face and avoid her petrifying gaze while he beheaded her with a harpe, an adamantine sword.

What is Mrs Lazarus about?

Lazarus" reimagines the biblical story of Lazarus, whom Jesus famously resurrected, from his wife's point of view. In the poem, Mrs. Lazarus grieves the loss of her husband intensely. But as soon as she's finally "healed" and started to move on with her life, Lazarus is raised from the dead.

What lesson does Persephone teach humans?

Persephone's eating of the pomegranate seed means that a compromise is set up, in which the world changes forever. Whereas she might have expected an immortal existence with her mother on Olympus, Persephone becomes the central figure in a new cycle of life and death.

Who was the ugliest god?

Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.

What was Demeter physical appearance?

Demeter's Appearance: Usually a pleasant-looking mature woman, generally with a veil over her head though her face is visible. Often carrying wheat or her Horn. A few images of Demeter show her as very beautiful. She may be shown seated in a throne, or wandering in search of Persephone.

How did Demeter get pregnant?

Zeus didn't think appropriate for such a respected goddess to have a relationship with a mortal, so he struck Iasion with a thunderbolt. But, by then, Demeter was already pregnant with twins: Ploutos and Philomelus, the former the god of wealth, and the latter, the patron of plowing.

What did Demeter do to the sirens?

THE SEIRENES (Sirens) were three monstrous sea-nymphs who lured sailors to their death with a bewitching song. They were formerly handmaidens of the goddess Persephone and when she was secretly abducted by Haides, Demeter gave them the bodies of birds to assist in the search.

What is the famous line of Demeter?

"I shall take everything away!"

Did John the Baptist Love Salome?

Imprisoned in a cistern in Herod's palace for preaching against the Jewish king's second marriage to Salome's mother Herodias, the Baptist pays the ultimate price for spurning Salome's advances. But she still loves him, even in death.

What happened to John the Baptist head?

According to church tradition, after the execution of John the Baptist, his disciples buried his body at Sebastia, except for his head, which Herodias took and buried it in a dung heap.