Both poems, Pablo Neruda’s "The Dead Women" and Dylan Thomas’ "Do not go Gentle into that Good Night" represent death in their own unique ways. They however share a degree of similarity that can easily be noticed, and this is because of the fact tat both poems assert that death should not stand in one’s way and be an obstacle to what one wishes to achieve. In "The Dead Women", Neruda’s words are easily understood and the intentions of the poet are clear throughout the poem. It must be asserted that this poem is about not giving up, and having the strength to press on in spite of the greater obstacles. It is as though the poet has set for him/herself a goal ahead that must be achieved. Examples of this are observed in the following words,
“Where blacks are beaten,
I cannot be dead.
When my brothers go to prison
I shall go with them.”
In addition to this seemingly revolutionary approach, it is almost as though the poet makes his or her words clear through a personal relationship as well. This is demonstrated in the following words,
“If suddenly you do not exist,
if suddenly you no longer live,
I shall live on.
I do not dare,
I do not dare to write it,
if you die.
I shall live on”.
In "Do not go Gentle into that Good Night" Dylan Thomas’ has a similar approach, but there are differences in his approach as well. This may be asserted because of the fact that there is an air of the poet telling another person not to have mercy for those that cannot press on in tough times. This is demonstrated in the following words’
“Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night”.
This is the point at which both Neruda and Thomas share a strong relationship. However, it also must be asserted that the differences between the two poems are severe. This may be said because of the fact that Thomas work demonstrates more of a stern approach, almost as though one is fed up with those who do not have enough courage to go on. This is demonstrated in the following words,
“Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying
of the light”.
Can't
find your paper.
Click here to
get a custom non-plagiarized term paper from a
top research company
In contrast to this approach is Neruda’s poem that is more from an individualistic point of view, emphasizing that the character of the poem will go on no matter what. However, the poet apologizes to his loved one for this stance taken in his or her life. This is demonstrated in the following words,
“No, forgive me.
If you no longer live,
if you, beloved, my love,
if you
have died,
all the leaves will fall in my breast,
it will rain on my soul night and day,
the snow will burn my heart,
I shall walk with frost and fire and death and snow,
my feet will want to walk to where you are sleeping,
It is evident from these words
that the poet reinforces the need to go, along
with apologies for having to do so. In contrast
to this, there is no such apology in Thomas’
poem, as it appears to be a more anguished presentation.
Part 2: Oedipus Rex and Antigone
Oedipus Rex and Antigone is a play about how individuals try to defy what is prophesized. In fact, in this play, it is disobeying the gods that leads to severe repercussions. Perhaps had Oedipus and the others in this play adhered to what was foretold, things would not have been half as bad. However, everything turns out to be as the gods have said, and trying to escape their words only meant that Oedipus would have to face his fate no matter where he was. Running away did not do him any good because of the fact that he still had to marry someone, and that was a widow. The extent of his fear from the time he came to know what was ordered is demonstrated in the following words: “How mating with my mother I must spawn a progeny...having been my father's murderer” (OEDIPUS, Oedipus, 44). With these words, one can tell how much he feared becoming a victim of what was to be. However, it must be asserted that it is more to do with defiance rather than disobedience that had caused all the chaos in the Oedipus’ life and his family’s as well; by attempting every possible action to avoid what was to be resulted in greater catastrophe. In stead of working things out in a rational manner and avoiding anything that was foretold, Oedipus turns erratic. Especially after finding out the truth, he loses control of himself and the situation. The end-result is that he ruins himself physically and psychologically, and inverts a biblical assertion that the ‘truth will set u free’. This satirical portion of the play immediately reflects the manner in which the gods were disobeyed, and so, the truth could not set Oedipus free.
The plight of Oedipus and his family indeed meant great destruction for al those who depended on them, and since there were many people under their sway, it indeed meant disaster. Finally, it must be asserted that there might have been a possibility of Oedipus escaping such catastrophe if he had accepted whatever was to happen. However, it is because of his actions and those that tried to avoid the gods’ words that brought about further complications.
|