Personal response:
When I started to analyze this poem, I had no prior knowledge on the story of Salome in the bible. I had to research the background information and read different bible verses regarding this story. As I understood, Salome broke a few Christian rules and she wasn't a positive character in the bible, even though her name wasn't mentioned in it. People judged her for her foolishness and irresponsibility which led to bad outcomes, such as death of John the Baptist.
As I read the poem, I realized that Carol Ann Duffy wrote it from the perspective of Salome, however she makes her seem frivolous, lightheaded and careless of the outcomes. She does things that she doesn't remember and prioritizes herself before others. Carol Ann Duffy judges her character for her thoughtless actions. There is a break in line 24 (third stanza), where she says "Never again!" as she tries to change her actions and try to live a new life. She asked her maid to clean up the mess and she set up new goals for herself. Salome tries to forget her past. However the reward/gift from her stepfather arrives, when she wanted to start something new. And then, her "eyes glitter" and she remains the same person she was.
I though this poem was bias and over exaggerated, because the research said that Salome was influenced to make bad choices by her mother, Herodias. I believe that her mother set an example to Salome, as she broke a Christian rule herself, by marrying Herod Antipas and divorcing with his brother. I don't think Salome is guilty of the death of John the Baptist.
As, an idiom says: "Like mother, like daughter"
Salome knew that her actions were harmful, therefore she tried to change her future actions by forgetting the past. Therefore, I believe that she is not hopeless and she can change for a better.
This poem has a really tragic ending which made me sad, because John the Baptist was executed and Salome becomes evil and thoughtless once again.
As I read the poem, I realized that Carol Ann Duffy wrote it from the perspective of Salome, however she makes her seem frivolous, lightheaded and careless of the outcomes. She does things that she doesn't remember and prioritizes herself before others. Carol Ann Duffy judges her character for her thoughtless actions. There is a break in line 24 (third stanza), where she says "Never again!" as she tries to change her actions and try to live a new life. She asked her maid to clean up the mess and she set up new goals for herself. Salome tries to forget her past. However the reward/gift from her stepfather arrives, when she wanted to start something new. And then, her "eyes glitter" and she remains the same person she was.
I though this poem was bias and over exaggerated, because the research said that Salome was influenced to make bad choices by her mother, Herodias. I believe that her mother set an example to Salome, as she broke a Christian rule herself, by marrying Herod Antipas and divorcing with his brother. I don't think Salome is guilty of the death of John the Baptist.
As, an idiom says: "Like mother, like daughter"
Salome knew that her actions were harmful, therefore she tried to change her future actions by forgetting the past. Therefore, I believe that she is not hopeless and she can change for a better.
This poem has a really tragic ending which made me sad, because John the Baptist was executed and Salome becomes evil and thoughtless once again.
Published on 18 May 2013
Author: Alina
Author: Alina