Sylvia Plath's Use of Myths Sylvia Plath is a renowned American poet of the mid- th century She often employed myths and mythological references to explore complex themes related to identity transformation and the human psyche Her use of myths added depth and symbolism to her work allowing readers to delve into her emotions and experiences One of the most prominent myths that Plath frequently indicated is that of the phoenix It is a mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes Plath's poem Lady Lazarus is a prime example of her use of this myth In this poem the speaker compares herself to the phoenix It emphasizes her ability to rise from the ashes of despair and suicide attempts Plath's use of the phoenix myth highlights her resilience and determined goal of self-renewal in the face of personal tragedy Another myth Plath often drew upon is the Greek myth