Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Merrill's "Salome" is a complex and richly textured poem that weaves together themes of religious fervor, human violence, and the quest for understanding in the face of primal instincts. The poem draws on the biblical story of Salome, known for her role in the beheading of John the Baptist, but Merrill expands and transforms this narrative, blending it with personal reflections and broader philosophical musings.

The poem begins with a vivid depiction of John the Baptist, described as the "shaggy saint" who is "breast-deep in Jordan's / Reflected gliding gardens." The imagery of the flowing river, reflecting the gardens, suggests a sense of serenity and sacredness. This setting, however, is soon complicated by the mention of the "swift compulsions" that John assumes to be sacred. This phrase hints at the powerful, perhaps uncontrollable forces at work in the natural world, forces that John interprets as divine.

As John drinks from the cool waters, he experiences "Regeneration," but this first taste "maddens" him, leading to a spill of water onto the "naked / Stranger," which results in the vision of a "pure and tripled mitre." This imagery evokes the idea of spiritual revelation, but also the madness that can accompany such intense experiences. John's later return "where none flow" and his "new dread / Of water's claspings" suggest a withdrawal from these overwhelming forces, as he grapples with the power of the sacrament and the transformative, yet terrifying, nature of divine experiences.

The poem then shifts to King Herod, "the small king," who is described as "slavering / In a gold litter, bitten to the bone / By what shall be." Herod is portrayed as a man consumed by his own fears and desires, ignoring the seductive, dangerous allure of his daughter Salome, who moves "sinuous on a string / Of motives all her own." This depiction of Salome as a figure of sensuality and manipulation highlights the darker, more primal aspects of human nature—those driven by instinct and desire rather than reason.

In the second part of the poem, Merrill introduces a more personal narrative, recalling a childhood memory of witnessing a dog attack. The "orange mad dog" that mauls a little girl represents a sudden eruption of violence in the midst of the everyday, echoing the earlier themes of primal instincts overtaking reason and control. The speaker's father, who ultimately shoots the dog, symbolizes the attempt to restore order through decisive action, but the incident leaves a lasting impression on the speaker.

The description of the dog, which "forgot / The dim back porch, whistle and water-bowl," suggests that the animal, like Salome and Herod, succumbs to its "first nature," which is "animal." The dog's violence is portrayed as an inevitable consequence of its instincts, just as human actions can be driven by deeper, often darker forces.

The final section of the poem delves into the concept of desire and its complexities. Merrill references the biblical metaphor of the "needle's eye" and the "camel," using it to explore the nature of desire itself. The line "Whosoever faithfully / Desires desire more than its object shall / Find his right heaven, be he saint or brute" suggests that true fulfillment lies not in the attainment of desires, but in the act of desiring itself—a concept that blurs the lines between sanctity and savagery.

The poem concludes with the image of a "tall / Young doctor from the Institute," who, like a modern-day inquisitor, seeks to probe and understand the mysteries of the human mind. This doctor, "atwirl like any exalted princess," embodies the relentless pursuit of knowledge, driven by a desire to unravel the complexities of the human psyche. However, this pursuit is also tinged with a sense of futility, as the poem ends with the doctor returning to "the easier school" of life, having encountered the limitations of his quest for understanding.

"Salome" is a meditation on the intersections of desire, violence, and the search for meaning. Through its intricate imagery and shifting perspectives, the poem explores the ways in which primal instincts and deeper philosophical questions intertwine, shaping both individual experiences and broader human narratives. Merrill's use of the Salome story as a framework allows him to delve into the darker aspects of human nature, while also reflecting on the inevitable complexities and contradictions that define the human condition.

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