Introduction
“The Shield of Achilles” is a poignant poem by W.H. Auden, first published in 1952. Auden, one of the twentieth century’s most versatile and influential poets, crafts this work to juxtapose the classical heroism of Achilles with the grim reality of the modern world. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, society, and the disillusionment with the contemporary world, set against the backdrop of post-World War II disillusionment. 🌍✨
Drawing inspiration from Homer’s epic “The Iliad,” Auden reimagines the shield that the god Hephaestus makes for Achilles. Unlike the vibrant depictions of life and nature in Homer’s description, Auden’s shield portrays a stark, mechanized world devoid of human warmth and community. The poem is structured into stanzas that alternate between the god Hephaestus working on the shield and the scenes he forges, providing a powerful commentary on war, humanity, and art. 🛡️🎨
Meaning of The Shield of Achilles
Opening Section
The poem begins with Thetis, the mother of Achilles, expecting to see images of glory and honor on her son’s shield. Instead, she is confronted with scenes of a barren and bureaucratic world. Auden writes:
“She looked over his shoulder
For vines and olive trees,
Marble well-governed cities
And ships upon untamed seas.”
This opening sets the tone for the contrast between expectation and reality, a theme that permeates the poem.
Mid Section
In the middle of the poem, Auden describes more scenes on the shield, focusing on the absence of community and the presence of control and oppression:
“An artificial wilderness
And a sky like lead
A plain without a feature, bare and brown,
No blade of grass, no sign of neighborhood,
Nothing to eat and nowhere to sit down.”
These lines highlight the desolation and the dehumanization within the imagined world, suggesting a loss of the values that are traditionally celebrated in epic tales.
Concluding Section
The poem concludes with a grim depiction of a public execution, a crowd gathered not out of anger or passion but out of fear, underscoring the poem’s critique of modern society’s moral disintegration:
“A crowd of ordinary decent folk
Watched from without and neither moved nor spoke
As three pale figures were led forth and bound
To three posts driven upright in the ground.”
The ending starkly contrasts with the heroics of Achilles, instead presenting a chilling tableau of compliance and the banality of evil.
In-depth Analysis
The Shield of Achilles by W.H. Auden uses a stark and reflective tone to delve into the dissonance between classical heroism and modern realities. Here’s a stanza-by-stanza breakdown highlighting the poem’s literary techniques, syntax, diction, and figurative language.
Stanza 1 —
- Theme: Disillusionment and expectation vs. reality.
- Symbols: The “vines and olive trees” symbolize a traditional ideal of pastoral beauty and peace, contrasted sharply with the “cold,” “dry” bureaucratic setting described.
- Techniques: Auden uses simple, direct language to convey Thetis’s shock and disappointment. The juxtaposition sets the tone for the poem.
Stanza 2 —
- Theme: Dehumanization and the loss of individuality.
- Symbols: The “artificial wilderness” and “sky like lead” evoke images of a lifeless, oppressive environment.
- Techniques: Imagery and metaphor dominate this stanza, painting a grim picture of the modern world devoid of natural beauty and human warmth.
Stanza 3 —
- Theme: Control and surveillance.
- Symbols: The “barbed wire” signifies imprisonment and control, a stark departure from the freedom typically associated with epic narratives like those of Achilles.
- Techniques: The use of stark, cold imagery continues, emphasizing the poem’s bleak thematic elements.
Stanza 4 —
- Theme: The banality of evil and societal compliance.
- Symbols: The “three posts driven upright in the ground” chillingly symbolize the finality and brutality of the scenes depicted.
- Techniques: Auden’s use of passive voice (“were led forth and bound”) highlights the passivity of the populace in the face of atrocity.
Poetic Devices used in The Shield of Achilles
| Device | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Allusion | Referring to Achilles and his shield | Draws from Greek mythology to set a historical and cultural context. |
| Juxtaposition | Comparing peaceful classical images with harsh modern realities | Highlights the contrast between ideal and reality, enhancing the poem’s critical tone. |
| Metaphor | “Sky like lead” | Suggests oppression and a heavy, toxic atmosphere. |
| Irony | Expectations of Thetis vs. what is actually on the shield | Creates a poignant effect, emphasizing the poem’s themes of disillusionment. |
| Imagery | “Artificial wilderness,” “a sky like lead” | Evokes visual elements that deepen the reader’s understanding of the desolate settings. |
| Repetition | Use of “no” in descriptions | Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of life or community. |
| Personification | “The mass and majesty of this world, all” | Gives life to abstract concepts, making the poem’s critique more direct and forceful. |
| Enjambment | “Nothing to eat and nowhere to sit down” | Creates a flow that mirrors the ongoing bleakness and despair. |
| Symbolism | “Barbed wire” | Represents confinement and the loss of freedom. |
| Paradox | “A plain without a feature, bare and brown” | Highlights the absurdity and tragedy of the modern landscapes Auden portrays. |
The Shield of Achilles – FAQs
Q: What is the main theme of ‘The Shield of Achilles’?
A: The main theme revolves around the stark contrast between the heroic expectations of ancient myths and the harsh realities of modern life, focusing on disillusionment, dehumanization, and societal apathy.
Q: How does W.H. Auden use the shield as a symbol in the poem?
A: The shield symbolizes the way society reflects its values and priorities. Instead of heroic and idyllic images, the shield depicts stark, industrial scenes, representing a modern world that values bureaucracy and control over beauty and heroism.
Q: What literary period does Auden belong to, and how does it influence the poem?
A: Auden wrote during the modernist period, often characterized by a disillusionment with traditional norms and an exploration of deeper psychological and societal issues. This influence is evident in the poem’s critique of modern society’s moral and aesthetic failings.
Q: Why does Auden use classical references in a modern setting in the poem?
A: By using classical references, Auden bridges the gap between the ancient and the modern, highlighting the continuity and changes in human values over time. This contrast serves to emphasize how far modern society has strayed from the ideals of beauty, community, and heroism.
Q: Can ‘The Shield of Achilles’ be seen as a commentary on post-war society?
A: Yes, the poem is often interpreted as a reflection on the brutality and bureaucracy that characterized the world after World War II, suggesting a disillusionment with the contemporary state of the world and a longing for a return to more genuine, human-centric values.
The Shield of Achilles Study Guide
Exercise: Identify all the poetic devices used in the following verse from “The Shield of Achilles”:
“An artificial wilderness
And a sky like lead
A plain without a feature, bare and brown,
No blade of grass, no sign of neighborhood,
Nothing to eat and nowhere to sit down.”
Answers:
- Metaphor: “Artificial wilderness” and “sky like lead.”
- Imagery: Descriptions of the plain and the sky.
- Symbolism: The “plain without a feature” symbolizes emptiness and lack of life.
- Repetition: Use of “no” emphasizes the absence of life and community.
- Paradox: The juxtaposition of “wilderness” with “artificial” presents a contradictory image, enhancing the sense of unnaturalness and desolation.
This exercise helps students delve deeper into understanding how Auden’s use of language crafts the poem’s stark, impactful imagery and themes.