Cassandra o Hymen King
The poem explores the theme of female identity and the constraints placed on women's lives by societal expectations. It describes a woman who is trapped between her desire for freedom and her obligations to her family and society. The speaker, Cassandra, is a symbol of feminine power and prophecy, but also of the silencing of women's voices. She is compared to King Hymen, a figure associated with marriage and fertility, highlighting the tension between female creativity and domesticity. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the limitations placed on her by patriarchal society, feeling stifled by the expectations of others. The poem ultimately presents a powerful critique of the societal norms that restrict women's lives and stifle their creative potential.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Modernism · 625 words
First lines
Hymen, O Hymen king, what bitter thing is this? what shaft, tearing my heart? what scar, what light, what fire searing my eye-balls and my eyes with flame? nameless, O spoken name, king, lord, speak blameless Hymen.
Why do you blind my eyes? why do you dart and pulse till all the dark is home, then find my soul and ruthless draw it back? scaling the scaleless, opening the dark? speak, nameless, power and might; when will you leave me quite? when will you break my wings or leave them utterly free to scale heaven endlessly?
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Cassandra o Hymen King is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilda Doolittle, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilda Doolittle
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Modernism, Feminism, Romanticism
- Length: 625 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Mythology — The text references Hymen, a figure from Greek mythology, and explores themes related to mythological narratives.
- Modernism — The style and themes reflect modernist characteristics, including introspection, existential questioning, and a break from traditional forms.
- Feminism — The work addresses themes of female identity, autonomy, and societal expectations, aligning with feminist literary themes.
Tags
Feminist · Modernism · Experimental · Poetry · Stream-of-consciousness · Autobiographical · Symbolic · Mythological · Greek mythology · Female identity · Coming of age · Self-discovery