The Shield of Achilles

Poetry | W. H. Auden
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What Are the Symbols That Auden Used in his Poem ‘The Shield of Achilles’?

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What are the symbols that Auden used in his poem ‘The Shield of Achilles’?

H. Auden’s poem "The Shield of Achilles" employs several symbols to contrast the mythical world of heroism and glory with the grim reality of modern existence. Here are the key symbols used in the poem:

The Shield: In Greek mythology, the shield of Achilles, crafted by Hephaestus, symbolizes heroic grandeur and the epic nature of war. In Auden's poem, however, the shield becomes a canvas for depicting contemporary life's stark and brutal realities.

Thetis: The mother of Achilles, Thetis, represents the expectation of nobility and heroism. Her disappointment when she sees the images on the shield reflects her disillusionment with the modern world's loss of ideals and values.

The Imagery on the Shield:

  • Barbed Wire Enclosure: Symbolizes modern warfare, concentration camps, and the dehumanizing aspects of conflict.
  • A Plain without a Feature: Represents desolation, emptiness, and the loss of individuality and purpose in modern soc
iety.
  • Crowds of Ordinary People: Symbolize the anonymity and the dehumanized masses of the 20th century, contrasting with the individualized heroes of ancient times.
  • Boys Killing Each Other: Depicts senseless violence and the cyclical nature of human conflict, devoid of the glory associated with classical warfare.
  • Ritual of Sacrifice: Symbolizes the loss of sacred rituals and the transformation of meaningful traditions into empty gestures.
  • Iron Hearted Man: Represents modern man's cold, unfeeling nature, driven by efficiency and devoid of empathy and humanity.
  • Athens and Sparta: These cities traditionally symbolize the pinnacle of ancient civilization, culture, and discipline. In the poem, their evocation highlights the contrast between the past's glory and the present's bleakness.
    • Auden critiques the modern world through these symbols, emphasizing the stark departure from the values and ideals celebrated in classical times. The poem becomes a powerful commentary on the disillusionment and moral decay of the contemporary era.

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