Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Metamorphoses: 3. The Re-birth of Venus," Geoffrey Hill reimagines the mythological birth of Venus, presenting a vivid and intense depiction of her emergence from the sea. Hill’s portrayal is rich with metaphors and contrasts, emphasizing the power and resilience of Venus as she reclaims her place in the natural world.

"And now the sea-scoured temptress, having talled / To scoop out of horizons what birds herald:" Hill begins by describing Venus as a "sea-scoured temptress," suggesting that she has endured the harshness of the ocean. The phrase "having talled / To scoop out of horizons what birds herald" evokes an image of Venus rising above the sea, reaching out towards the promise of new beginnings, symbolized by the birds announcing her arrival.

"Tufts of fresh soil: shakes off an entire sea, / Though not as the dove, harried." Venus shakes off the remnants of the sea, much like shedding an old skin, to embrace a new life. The contrast with a "harried" dove highlights her strength and calm demeanor, despite the turbulent circumstances from which she emerges.

"Rather, she, / A shark hurricaned to estuary-water, / (The lesser hunter almost by a greater / Devoured)" Hill likens Venus to a shark driven by a hurricane into the estuary, a place where the river meets the sea. This metaphor emphasizes her formidable nature and resilience. The notion of the "lesser hunter almost by a greater / Devoured" suggests that Venus, though powerful, has faced greater forces and survived, reinforcing her indomitable spirit.

"but unflurried, lies, approaches all / Stayers, and searchers of the fanged pool." Despite the chaos she has endured, Venus remains unflustered and composed. She "lies" and "approaches all / Stayers, and searchers of the fanged pool," indicating her readiness to confront and engage with those who dwell in the dangerous, predatory waters. This further underscores her fearlessness and her ability to navigate and dominate even the most treacherous environments.

Hill’s reimagining of Venus’s birth presents her not just as a figure of beauty and desire, but as a symbol of strength, resilience, and mastery over adversity. The use of vivid, dynamic imagery and metaphor serves to deepen the reader’s understanding of Venus’s character, highlighting her transformative power and unyielding presence in the world.