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emays7's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a couple of reads-through to grasp this one properly. My first impression was what wonderful use of language! I greatly admire Wilde's ability to write so beautifully within a rigid poetic structure of rhyme and meter. I especially loved the use of different descriptive techniques and the richness of detail in the geographical setting.
I thought a lot about the shape of the poem and appreciated the undulations and rhythms in dramatic intensity. Wilde uses apprehension and tension so effectively for accentuating peaks of bliss and peace and bringing out the feeling in moments of tragedy. He creates atmosphere so well. There were also comparisons between Charmides' different interactions which I'll explore more below.
I enjoyed the Greek mythological setting and remembering elements such as birds being used as omens/significant markers.
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I noticed some themes:
Reverence/irreverence
The characters following their sexual passions are the ones who go against the gods (Charmides and the dryad maid who are both punished). This is in contrast others who offer sacrifices to Athena near the beginning and those who refrain from looking on Charmides by the stream (in case he is a god). What does this show? What statement is it making? Is it advocating the rightness of following one's romantic passions and expressing a frustration that the way the world works is wrong (that those passions don't fit with how it works)? Is it reinforcing the power of moral authorities or does it demand change? There seems to be a link between sexuality and disobedience to the gods.
The blindness of love
There is a sad irony in Charmides' inability to see that Athena is coming to avenge herself; the blindness of his love leads to his death. The blindness of the dryad maid's love seems different in that it is given credit in the afterlife when both of their passions are consummated.
Hotness and coolness
The hotness of sexual passion is used in contrast with the coldness and lifelessness of both Athena (when Charmides is with the statue) and Charmides (when the dryad maid is with him). For example, this is seen explicitly in Athena's "chill and icy breast" in contrast with the "throbbing bosom" of the dryad maid. Certain aspects were repeated e.g. Charmides arms around their necks which led me to think the contrast was purposeful.
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I was unsatisfied with the following:
Physical beauty as related to divinity
This theme was seen particularly in Athena and Charmides (even though he wasn't divine his beauty caused comparisons with the gods). I'd like to see this ethic of holding the physically attractive as more superior challenged.
Physical/sexual passion but an absence of emotional love/connection
Throughout the whole poem there is a stark absence of any relational connection. This seems exaggerated by the inability of the sexual partners to reciprocate; Athena was inanimate and Charmides never knew the dryad maid until after death. The latter intrigues me: why were they then described as lovers? The term implies mutuality. The focus on sexual love had elements of tenderness and beauty but, wholly uncoupled with emotional/personal devotion, felt empty.
Virginity
The virginity of the women in the poem seems lauded more highly than the men's. This is less a dissatisfaction and more a question: is there a double standard here?
Consent
The poem indulged in nonconsential sexual activity (Charmides toward Athena and the dryad maid towards Charmides). It was only in Hades that Charmides and the dryad maid enjoyed mutual sex.
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I found this interesting:
The relation of Athena the statue and the real Athena. They seemed linked in a deeper way than a mere physical replica of a person, due to the nature of the reaction against Charmides' actions towards the statue. Is there some spiritual/deeper link? Or was the reaction purely due to the fact that his actions were symbolically irreverent?
I thought a lot about the shape of the poem and appreciated the undulations and rhythms in dramatic intensity. Wilde uses apprehension and tension so effectively for accentuating peaks of bliss and peace and bringing out the feeling in moments of tragedy. He creates atmosphere so well. There were also comparisons between Charmides' different interactions which I'll explore more below.
I enjoyed the Greek mythological setting and remembering elements such as birds being used as omens/significant markers.
----------------
I noticed some themes:
Reverence/irreverence
The characters following their sexual passions are the ones who go against the gods (Charmides and the dryad maid who are both punished). This is in contrast others who offer sacrifices to Athena near the beginning and those who refrain from looking on Charmides by the stream (in case he is a god). What does this show? What statement is it making? Is it advocating the rightness of following one's romantic passions and expressing a frustration that the way the world works is wrong (that those passions don't fit with how it works)? Is it reinforcing the power of moral authorities or does it demand change? There seems to be a link between sexuality and disobedience to the gods.
The blindness of love
There is a sad irony in Charmides' inability to see that Athena is coming to avenge herself; the blindness of his love leads to his death. The blindness of the dryad maid's love seems different in that it is given credit in the afterlife when both of their passions are consummated.
Hotness and coolness
The hotness of sexual passion is used in contrast with the coldness and lifelessness of both Athena (when Charmides is with the statue) and Charmides (when the dryad maid is with him). For example, this is seen explicitly in Athena's "chill and icy breast" in contrast with the "throbbing bosom" of the dryad maid. Certain aspects were repeated e.g. Charmides arms around their necks which led me to think the contrast was purposeful.
----------------
I was unsatisfied with the following:
Physical beauty as related to divinity
This theme was seen particularly in Athena and Charmides (even though he wasn't divine his beauty caused comparisons with the gods). I'd like to see this ethic of holding the physically attractive as more superior challenged.
Physical/sexual passion but an absence of emotional love/connection
Throughout the whole poem there is a stark absence of any relational connection. This seems exaggerated by the inability of the sexual partners to reciprocate; Athena was inanimate and Charmides never knew the dryad maid until after death. The latter intrigues me: why were they then described as lovers? The term implies mutuality. The focus on sexual love had elements of tenderness and beauty but, wholly uncoupled with emotional/personal devotion, felt empty.
Virginity
The virginity of the women in the poem seems lauded more highly than the men's. This is less a dissatisfaction and more a question: is there a double standard here?
Consent
The poem indulged in nonconsential sexual activity (Charmides toward Athena and the dryad maid towards Charmides). It was only in Hades that Charmides and the dryad maid enjoyed mutual sex.
----------------
I found this interesting:
The relation of Athena the statue and the real Athena. They seemed linked in a deeper way than a mere physical replica of a person, due to the nature of the reaction against Charmides' actions towards the statue. Is there some spiritual/deeper link? Or was the reaction purely due to the fact that his actions were symbolically irreverent?
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