What is the poem To Helen about?? I need an anaylis. Also how does it tie into relating to the Greek gods?

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2003

Answers

Poe's unique and rare extended simile. The classical references abound but are used vaguely to create a mood rather an equation. Inspired by the mother(deceased) of a childhood friend whom he used to visit for literary discussions this poem is about Poe's relation to his personal Ideal, his Muse, a tranquil haven.

Beauty, ships, hyacinth hair(curled like Greek statues, Nicaen(open to several indecisive interpetations}, wanderers, classic face, the famous line about Greece and Rome being that harbour of Beauty, references to glowing beacon radiance, the Psyche story also dealing with radiant revelation, love and quest. It is a poem as much about the poet's quest as Helen which is typical of Poe's other poems where the interior of the narrator overrides the object.

Loose, evocative, suggestive and moody, it is a tribute to the lady ideal, the guide and refuge to the Golden Age amid a troubled life.

Because of the allusions it takes quite a bit of debatable analysis. The importance of holy light grows in the final version where a lamp is substitued for the symbolic scroll so as to hint at a natural source for the light, therefore both or either real or supernatural- a poetic sense rooted in both worlds with no simplistic allegory or harsh reality to break the spell.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2003

helen is presenting a greek gods in the poes poem!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2004

Poe's unique and rare extended simile. The classical references abound but are used vaguely to create a mood rather an equation. Inspired by the mother(deceased) of a childhood friend whom he used to visit for literary discussions this poem is about Poe's relation to his personal Ideal, his Muse, a tranquil haven. Beauty, ships, hyacinth hair(curled like Greek statues, Nicaen(open to several indecisive interpetations}, wanderers, classic face, the famous line about Greece and Rome being that harbour of Beauty, references to glowing beacon radiance, the Psyche story also dealing with radiant revelation, love and quest. It is a poem as much about the poet's quest as Helen which is typical of Poe's other poems where the interior of the narrator overrides the object.

Loose, evocative, suggestive and moody, it is a tribute to the lady ideal, the guide and refuge to the Golden Age amid a troubled life.

Because of the allusions it takes quite a bit of debatable analysis. The importance of holy light grows in the final version where a lamp is substitued for the symbolic scroll so as to hint at a natural source for the light, therefore both or either real or supernatural- a poetic sense rooted in both worlds with no simplistic allegory or harsh reality to break the spell.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2004