In this resource, you’ll find an analysis of ‘Orpheus Confesses to Eurydice’ by Sujata Bhatt.
It’s targeted specifically toward those studying the Cambridge A-Level (CAIE / CIE) syllabus, but it’s suitable for anyone studying the poet at any level. Bhatt’s poems are beautiful and com...
1
It was a lack of faith.
I admit it. I didn’t believe enough
in you or even in the power
of my song. I needed constant reassurance.
Yes, I saw how the Furies wept
as I sang slower, softer - Time stopped for me -
still, I didn’t think they’d let you go.
I didn’t think you’d be free to follow me.
And so I looked back
wondering: were you really there?
I’ve caught the snake
that killed you - I keep him
alive. He’s become a sort of pet -
such a small viper, and so supple -
my last connection to you. And his brightness:
eyes, skin - how he shimmers in the sun - keeps me alert
and reminds me at times of your brightness:
the sun in your hair, the jewels around your neck.
At first, of course, I thought of revenge.
I thought of hurting the snake,
of throwing him into a fire.
But I hesitated and now I’ve grown fond of him.
(Full poem unable to be reproduced due to the copyright)
, VOCABULARY
Reassurance - consoling people by removing their doubts or fears
The Furies - the chthonic (underworld) goddesses of vengeance in Greek mythology
Viper - a small, thin poisonous snake
Supple - soft and flexible
Bodiless - without a body
STORY/SUMMARY
Stanza 1: I admit my fault - it was a lack of faith. I didn’t believe enough in your or even
in the power of my song. I needed constant reassurance. Yes, I saw how the Furies
cried as I sang slower, softer - Time stopped for me - but still, I didn’t think that the
Underworld would let you go. I didn’t think that you’d be free to follow me. And so, I
looked back, wondering: were you really there?
Stanza 2: I’ve caught the snake that bit and killed you - I keep him alive. He’s become a
sort of pet - he’s such a small viper, and so supple - my last connection to you. And his
brightness: eyes, skin - how he shines in the sun - it keeps me alert and reminds me at
times of how bright you were: I remember the sun in your hair, the jewels around your
neck.
Stanza 3: At first, of course, I thought about revenge. I thought about hurting the snake
or throwing him into a fire. But I wasn’t sure at first, so I waited, and now I’ve grown to
like him.
2.
Stanza 1: Once when I stood by the cliffs, singing, a sharp stone fell from the rocks -
and then a lizard darted to the east and her tail was sliced off by it (some lizards can
sacrifice their tails and they grow back) - and then she rushed back the other way, to
the west - and I watched the tail shudder and twitch - a yellow-green thing that
moved so fast.
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