Analyzing Anteaus 'Poem Antaeus'

2. Analysis of Anteaus poem:
In Greek mythology, Antaeus was a giant who was born out of the earth and who therefore derived all his energy and prowess from touch with the earth. This intended that whenever he was brought to the ground in a combat or a wrestling game , whenever he appeared to be beaten , he wasn’t beaten at all instead , he was collecting energy , recharging his batteries, rising again , refreshed and combating match . Antaeus was beaten by Hercules when Hercules realized the supply of his strength. Hercules lifted him off the ground, crushing him in a bear-hug as he elevated him. The poem is based totally on Greek myth of Antaeus. According to this legend, Antaeus was son of Poseidon

He was very robust. He used to challenge passer-by’s for wrestling match. He used to collect their bones and wanted to construct a temple the usage of those bones for his father. The secret of Antaeus’ power lies in his touch with the land. He derived his energy from contact with the land. If he's severed from this touch with the land, he loses his powers. The poem Antaeus is a dramatic monologue, spoken via none another than Antaeus. Antaeus himself tells the origin of his powers: When I lay on the ground I rise flushed as a rose in the morning. In fights I arrange a fail on the ring to rub myself with sand that is operative as an elixir. (“Heaney, 167”) He rises every morning as sparkling as arose with renewed contact with the land. On every occasion he fights someone, he contrives that he fall on the sand. The contact with sand works like a potion and replenish his power. It’s far operative that he ought to not lose contact with mother earth that nurtures him. He’s girdled with root and rock. The rivers are like his blood veins. He’s cradled in 180 the dark womb of mother earth that nurtures him. He challenges absolutely everyone who involves seek golden apples at Atlas. He says that whoever comes has to fight with him before,

However if anyone lifts him off the earth, he is certain to be defeated because his fall lies in his elevation.

Heaney’s poetic philosophy:
Seamus Heaney, and his works which “exalt everyday miracles and the living past” (“Press Release, website”), put accentuation on the written work of reality and the part of individuals in building the Irish cultural identity. Heaney encouraged that the development of the spiritual subject of collective revel in is achieved thru writing individuals, for this reason forming “national unconsciousness,” as Collins positioned it in Seamus Heaney: “The Crisis of Identity”. So, as is commented in “Press Release,” Heaney “assumes that generations of rural ancestors―who while now not illiterate have been no longer literary either―are putting forward themselves within him. Heaney belongs to Ireland and Ireland has been tormented by the worst effects of politics. People in Ireland had been a minority by the British control. They have been dwelling under perpetual worry. Heaney believes that there is no connection between a poet and the situations around a poet as he elaborates it within the poem “Personal Helicon”. So Heaney desires to continue to be unconcerned with the social and