Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Salome" by Carol Ann Duffy presents a modern reinterpretation of the Biblical story of Salome, who is infamously known for demanding the head of John the Baptist on a platter as a reward for her dance of the seven veils. Duffy's version of Salome is cast in a contemporary light, portraying her as a somewhat jaded woman waking up after what seems to be a wild party, only to discover a severed head beside her in bed.

The poem begins nonchalantly, with Salome reflecting on her recurring behavior: "I’d done it before / (and doubtless I’ll do it again, / sooner or later) woke up with a head on the pillow beside me – whose? – / what did it matter?" This opening sets a casual, almost blasé tone, indicating Salome’s desensitization to the horror of her actions. The rhetorical question "whose?" suggests a detachment from the severity of her deeds and highlights a recurrent theme of Duffy's poetry: the complexity of female identities and the exploration of power dynamics.

Salome describes the head with a mixture of aesthetic appreciation and a hint of regret. The description of the head, with "dark hair, rather matted; the reddish beard several shades lighter; with very deep lines around the eyes," adds a humanizing element to the otherwise macabre scene. The lines suggest a life filled with both pain and laughter, giving the severed head a backstory that Salome briefly contemplates.

The mention of Salome kissing the "beautiful crimson mouth" of the head, described as "Colder than pewter," further blurs the lines between affection, violence, and remorse. Her fleeting moment of intimacy with the dead, juxtaposed with her lack of memory or care for the man’s identity, encapsulates the poem's dark humor and critique of disposability in human relationships.

Salome’s contemplation of lifestyle changes in the aftermath of her hedonistic escapade reflects a common human response to guilt and self-disgust. She considers quitting "the booze and the fags and the sex," an indication of her recognition of a downward spiral, yet there is a cyclical nature to her resolutions, suggesting a pattern of behavior that she acknowledges but feels powerless to permanently change.

The maid's presence introduces normalcy and a touch of mundanity after a night of excess and horror. Her "innocent clatter / of cups and plates" and "clearing of clutter" offer a stark contrast to the gruesome discovery and Salome’s chaotic lifestyle, emphasizing the divide between ordinary life and the dark, secretive existence Salome leads.

The poem concludes with Salome looking at herself in the mirror, a moment of self-awareness and perhaps self-admiration, as she notes her eyes "glitter." The final image of the head "on a platter" reiterates the notorious Biblical story but with an ironic twist, as if Salome has orchestrated these events subconsciously or out of a deep-seated compulsion.

Overall, "Salome" by Carol Ann Duffy is a dark, witty, and poignant exploration of themes such as identity, power, and the consequences of indulgence. Duffy's Salome is both a victim and a perpetrator, caught in a loop of destructive behavior that she both loathes and perpetuates, a complex character study that invites reflection on the nature of guilt and redemption.

POEM TEXT: https://mhsenglish10c.wordpress.com/2016/08/25/salome-by-carol-ann-duffy/

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