Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Hera, Hung from the Sky" by Carolyn Kizer explores themes of myth, power, and the subjugation of female desire. The poem reimagines the plight of Hera, the Greek goddess, within a framework of cosmic punishment and patriarchal control, revealing the tension between the divine feminine and the dominion of male gods.

The poem opens with an indictment of male-dominated narratives: "Men continue to invent our histories, / Deny our equal pleasure in each other." Kizer immediately sets the tone by challenging the traditional roles assigned to women by patriarchal society, roles that diminish their agency and pleasure. The terms "club-foot" and "nymphomaniac" symbolize the derogatory labels imposed on women, which serve to justify their subjugation. The fabricated net that God casts over their raptures symbolizes societal constraints designed to suppress female joy and autonomy.

In the following lines, Kizer evokes a powerful image of the gods parading the trussed-up women past the searchlights of the sky, a spectacle orchestrated by God, who is simultaneously the "ringmaster and cuckold." This imagery reflects the public shaming and exploitation of women's bodies and desires, subjecting them to ridicule and control. The thunderous laughter and applause underscore the collective complicity in this degradation.

The poem transitions to a more intimate tone as the speaker traces the bones of her lover's face, asserting, "I know we are not their history but our myth." This statement reclaims the narrative, suggesting that their love transcends the patriarchal distortions of history. Their astral raptures, buoyant in the universe, symbolize a timeless and unbounded connection, free from earthly constraints. The call to "swoon again" and the reference to inventing dying and resurrection emphasize the transformative power of their love, capable of transcending mortality and creating new myths.

Kizer then shifts to Hera's personal voice, describing her punishment: "I hang by my heels from the sky. / The sun, exploded at last, / Hammered his wrath to chains / Forged for my lightest bones." This vivid image portrays Hera's suffering and her defiance against the overwhelming power of Zeus, the god who punished her. The sun's wrath, now chained to her, represents the weight of divine retribution and the eternal struggle of the feminine against patriarchal oppression.

As Hera reflects on her past, the poem delves into themes of ambition and hubris. She recalls being "arrogant, flushed with his love," and the "condescending praise" from Zeus, which fueled her desire for power and equality. This ambition led her to challenge the divine order, resulting in her downfall. The imagery of being "half-strangled in my hair" and "drowned in fire" poignantly captures her agony and the consequences of her defiance.

Ultimately, Hera's lament, "I have lost the war of the air: / Half-strangled in my hair, / I dangle, drowned in fire," signifies her tragic defeat and the inescapable consequences of challenging the gods. Yet, within this defeat lies a powerful critique of the structures that perpetuate female suffering and a call to recognize and reclaim the inherent power and dignity of the feminine.

In "Hera, Hung from the Sky," Carolyn Kizer masterfully weaves classical mythology with contemporary feminist themes, highlighting the enduring struggle for female autonomy and the resilience of the feminine spirit against oppressive forces. Through Hera's voice, Kizer articulates a poignant narrative of defiance, suffering, and the quest for equality, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of gender, power, and myth.