Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "In the Underworld" is a profound and haunting exploration of descent, transformation, and resurrection, drawing on mythological imagery and the theme of the hero’s journey to convey a deep sense of personal and universal struggle. The poem uses the narrative of a queen’s descent into the underworld to explore themes of identity, loss, and renewal.

The poem begins with the queen embarking on her journey: "I go a road / among the upturned faces in their colors / to the great arch / of a theatre stage." This setting suggests a grand and dramatic entrance, positioning the queen as both a participant and a performer in a significant ritual or journey. The "great arch" signifies the threshold between the world of the living and the underworld, marking the beginning of her transformation.

As she passes through the arch, the world around her changes dramatically: "The arch shuts down like December / very small all about me / the entrance to this country." The imagery of December evokes coldness, death, and the end of a cycle, highlighting the desolation she faces as she enters the underworld. The sudden constriction of space symbolizes the narrowing of her reality and the isolation she experiences.

The queen's stripping away of her regal attributes begins as she moves deeper into the underworld: "Many whispers in the quick dark / Fingers in swarms, breath is busy, / they have reached above my head / and taken off my crown." This physical disrobing mirrors her psychological and spiritual stripping, as she is progressively divested of her identity and status. The removal of her crown, jewels, and dress signifies the loss of her former self, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.

In the depths of the underworld, she encounters profound degradation and disintegration: "Naked the naked wind / of the underworld. Rankness at my breasts, / over my flank / giggle and stink." The grotesque and visceral imagery here emphasizes the brutality of her descent and the complete unmaking of her previous identity. The act of being flayed—"they have taken little knives / my skin lifts off"—serves as a metaphor for the deep pain and transformation she undergoes.

Amidst this process, the queen struggles to remember her purpose and identity: "I walk into their asking / Where is he / they sing on one note / Your lord memory / He your delight." The haunting refrain "Where is he" alludes to a lost or forgotten aspect of herself, possibly her connection to a divine or essential truth. The constant stripping away until she is reduced to "a chain of bones / into the boneyard dark" underscores the extent of her desolation and the annihilation of her former self.

However, in the depths of despair, there is a flicker of hope and remembrance: "What calls her? / The body of a woman alive / but at the point of death, / the very old body lying there riddled with life." This turning point suggests the possibility of rebirth. The "one clear breast" that "speaks across distance" symbolizes a connection to life, nurturing, and renewal.

The poem culminates in a powerful realization and resurrection: "Now I remember love / who has set my being on me, / who permits me move / into all being." The queen’s reassembly—flesh, bones, and identity restored—signifies her transformation from a mortal queen into a divine goddess. This metamorphosis is both a personal and universal testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

The closing lines reflect on the impermanence and vulnerability of existence: "The breast smiles: Do not / think you are invulnerable! / The breast smiles: Do not / think you are immortal!" These warnings serve as reminders of the transient nature of life and the importance of embracing the full spectrum of human experience, including suffering and transformation.

"In the Underworld" is a richly layered poem that uses mythological and existential themes to explore the process of profound personal change. Rukeyser’s vivid imagery and symbolic narrative invite readers to contemplate the depths of their own experiences and the potential for rebirth and renewal within them.

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