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THE FALL OF TROY, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Rachel Hadas’s "The Fall of Troy" offers a unique and evocative reimagining of the ancient myth of Aeneas's escape from the fallen city of Troy. Through striking imagery and rich symbolism, Hadas transforms the epic journey into a poignant reflection on the burdens of history, the persistence of memory, and the unyielding drive towards destiny.

The poem begins with an invocation to "Sing now the heavy furniture of the fall, / the journey’s ending." This line immediately sets a tone of weight and finality, as if the remnants of a grand but devastating event are being cataloged and mourned. The "heavy furniture" serves as a metaphor for the physical and emotional burdens that Aeneas carries from the ruins of Troy. These objects are not just remnants of a destroyed city but symbols of the legacy and the history that Aeneas must bear as he moves forward.

Hadas describes Aeneas bearing "deep on his shoulders all the dark wood chairs / and tables of destruction." The use of "dark wood" conveys a sense of solemnity and gravity, suggesting that the journey is marked by suffering and loss. The "bruising, blunt" nature of these items emphasizes their physical and emotional weight, as they "force his feet on up the war-scraped hills / past raped dead temples." The imagery of "war-scraped hills" and "raped dead temples" vividly captures the devastation and sacrilege left in the wake of war, underscoring the profound sense of destruction that Aeneas must navigate.

The poem also introduces the idea of gods who "sit / changing their own upholsteries of deceit, / ordaining shelves and benches as the goal / of his dim voyage." This portrayal of the gods highlights their capricious and manipulative nature, as they manipulate the course of human events for their own ends. The "upholsteries of deceit" suggests that the gods are reconfiguring the fates and destinies of mortals, with Aeneas’s journey being just one piece of their grand, inscrutable design.

Arrows drawn on chair backs "point the way they must go on," indicating that even in the midst of destruction, there are signs and symbols guiding Aeneas towards his destiny. These arrows are symbolic of the guidance and prophecies that lead Aeneas towards the founding of Rome, suggesting that his path, though fraught with hardship, is divinely ordained.

Aeneas's reaction to his journey is complex: "Aeneas weeps / at wind or passion, but steadfastly keeps / carrying battered merchandise marked ROME / in one direction, pondering it all." His weeping at "wind or passion" highlights his vulnerability and the emotional toll of his journey. Yet, his steadfastness in carrying the "battered merchandise marked ROME" underscores his determination and sense of duty. This merchandise, marked with the future capital of an empire, signifies the heavy burden of destiny that Aeneas bears. He is not just transporting physical remnants but also the hopes and future of a new civilization.

The final lines, "in one direction, pondering it all," encapsulate the essence of Aeneas's journey. His unwavering direction signifies his resolve and purpose, while his pondering reflects the introspection and contemplation that accompany his epic quest. Aeneas embodies the human struggle to find meaning and direction in the aftermath of loss and destruction, bearing the weight of the past while forging a path towards an uncertain but fated future.

"The Fall of Troy" is a powerful reimagining of a classic myth, rich with symbolic imagery and emotional depth. Rachel Hadas masterfully captures the weight of history and the resilience required to carry its burdens. Through Aeneas’s journey, the poem explores themes of duty, destiny, and the interplay between human vulnerability and steadfast determination. The result is a poignant meditation on the enduring legacy of the past and the relentless pursuit of a destined future.


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