Myth (Trethewey poem) Essay Questions

Why is the poem written in a mirror structure?

The poem's structure reflects the way in which Orpheus continually relives the moment of Eurydice's demise. The poem describes how each night he tries to hold onto Eurydice, as he can only be together with her in dreams. But each morning, he is parted from her, as he wakes up and finds she is not there. The poem is able more effectively to capture the sensation of being caught in a loop by reusing the same lines, showing how Orpheus revisits this moment over and over, with the exact same outcome every time.

What is unique about how Trethewey approaches Orpheus's story in the poem?

Trethewey chooses to avoid specifically mentioning Orpheus's name or recounting his journey to the underworld. This gives her space to explore Orpheus's grief and show him experiencing the moment he lost Eurydice repeatedly. It also allows her to write about this story in a way that avoids classical forms and favors a more immediate emotional connection. The language that Orpheus uses while speaking is direct and straightforward.