Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "In Hades, Orpheus" reimagines the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, transporting it into a contemporary setting infused with emotional and physical pain. The poem begins with Orpheus’s declaration, “Look!...all green!” This exclamation symbolizes life, renewal, and the hope he holds, but Eurydice, leaning against him at her hospital door, perceives it as "fireline blinding bright." The intense imagery of fire suggests overwhelming pain and fear, highlighting Eurydice's inability to see or accept the life Orpheus offers her due to her weakened state.

The poem’s setting is stark and clinical, represented by the "hospital door" and "mechanical white walls," which juxtaposes the vitality of the park Orpheus invites her to. Despite his encouragement, “Come into the park!” she remains "feverstruck," overwhelmed by "monotonous weakness" and unable to face the "bright water" or the life outside her illness. This contrast between the lively, natural world and the oppressive, sterile environment of the hospital underscores Eurydice’s struggle.

The everyday activities of a boy skating and a gardener pruning serve as reminders of life continuing outside her pain. However, these scenes, filled with energy and growth, are inaccessible to her, reinforcing her isolation and fear. The falling "gay branches" symbolize opportunities and life that she cannot grasp, adding to her anxiety about her "quick heartbeat."

Orpheus, embodying hope and love, faces her with determination, “risking their staggered histories” against the backdrop of a vibrant, but indifferent world. His declaration, “A long pain, long fever!...but that death’s over,” signifies a turning point. He attempts to pull her out of her internal Hades, the realm of death and suffering, with his love and reassurance. Yet, the imagery of "steeply away, blazing in green" suggests that noon, symbolic of life at its peak, is slipping away, perhaps indicating the fragility of their hope.

The poem culminates in a moment of intense emotion as Orpheus turns Eurydice’s face to his, trying to draw her out of her fear. The "sharp fear" that passes verdict upon her illustrates the power of her illness and anxiety, pitching her back into her internal chaos. The "mechanical white walls" of the hospital symbolize the persistent barrier between them and the life Orpheus seeks to reclaim for her.

Rukeyser’s poem thus captures the myth’s essence of love and loss, transposing it into a modern context where the struggle against death and illness is as poignant and tragic as in the ancient tale. The vivid imagery and emotional depth highlight the enduring relevance of the Orpheus and Eurydice story, emphasizing themes of hope, fear, and the relentless battle for life amidst overwhelming odds.

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