Introduction
A poet is sitting in his room beside a Sphinx. Within the poem the Sphinx forms his main focus of interest, his whole attention belongs to her: a cheap souvenir from some street corner. But inside of the poet’s room the Sphinx no longer remains a little piece of stone but, right in front of his eyes, becomes a real-life Sphinx – the age-old female demon of death, who besieged the city of Thebes as a punishment for the king of Thebes who introduced homosexual love into Greek culture and thus incured Hera’s hatred.
The Sphinx, one of Oscar Wilde’s most enchanting poems, is woven out of a net of various mythological beliefs and religious ideas. Wilde invokes a hotch-potch of varying creatures, who convey a magical atmosphere of ancient grandeur. In order to understand the poem one has to get to know the concepts that stand behind the various mythical creatures, gods and heroes. Therefore I will explain to which mythologies Wilde relates to and how they refer to each other. In this connection the time of Oscar Wilde has to be taken into consideration, too: Victorianism, with its crumbling of old values and conquering of new worlds; the period of decadence; the period of aestheticism.
I would like to show some of the multitude of possible accesses, e.g. the identification of the Sphinx with the figure of the femme fatale; the personification of the Sphinx as the temptations and desires of the poet respectively The Sphinx as a metaphor for the loss of Christian faith in Victorian culture.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Religion and Mythology
- 2.1. Mythology in the ancient religions
- 2.2. Religion in Victorianism
- 2.3 Religious and philosophical ideas of Oscar Wilde
- 3. The Sphinx
- 3.1 Characterisation in mythology
- 3.2 Characterisation in the poem
- 3.2.1 Male or female?
- 3.2.2. Old age and wisdom
- 4. Sexuality and death - the Sphinx as femme fatale
- 4.1 'A thousand weary centuries...'
- 4.2 Her lovers
- 5. Ammon
- 5.1 The ideal lover for the femme fatale
- 5.2 The ideal lover for the poet
- 5.2.1 The sphinx as a personification of ‘inner desires’
- 5.3 A symbol for the end of religion
- 6. The Sphinx as a metaphor for the loss of Christian faith
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the multifaceted religious and mythological allusions within Oscar Wilde's poem "The Sphinx," analyzing how these elements contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact. The paper examines the poem through various lenses, considering its historical context within Victorian England and its engagement with ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies.
- The interplay between ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies in Wilde's poem.
- The representation of the Sphinx as a femme fatale and a symbol of death.
- The poem's reflection of Victorian religious anxieties and the decline of Christian faith.
- The role of aestheticism and Wilde's personal philosophical views in shaping the poem's themes.
- The exploration of sexuality and its connection to death and decadence within the poem.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Wilde's "The Sphinx," introducing the poem's central image—the Sphinx—as a multifaceted symbol. It highlights the transformation of the Sphinx from a mere object to a powerful, lifelike figure within the poem's context. The chapter establishes the poem's complex engagement with various mythologies and the historical context of Victorian England, foreshadowing the exploration of religious and philosophical themes throughout the paper. The author explicitly states their intention to examine the poem's rich mythological underpinnings and their connection to Wilde's own worldview, setting the groundwork for a multi-layered interpretation.
2. Religion and Mythology: This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the poem's mythological framework by exploring the significance of mythology in ancient religions and its evolution. It highlights the strong connection between religion and mythology, emphasizing the role of myths in shaping cultural values and worldviews. The chapter focuses specifically on ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies, their interrelation, and their relevance to Wilde's poem. It delves into the historical context, detailing the influence of Greek culture on Egypt and the subsequent supplanting of ancient Egyptian beliefs by Christianity, drawing a parallel to the changing religious landscape of Victorian England.
3. The Sphinx: This chapter delves into the characterization of the Sphinx, both in its mythological origins and within the context of Wilde's poem. The author explores the ambiguous nature of the Sphinx's gender, its association with age and wisdom, and its portrayal as a powerful, seductive figure. This section provides a detailed analysis of the Sphinx's role in the poem, setting the scene for the subsequent chapters that explore its symbolic significance within different thematic frameworks. The chapter sets the foundation for understanding the Sphinx as a multi-faceted symbol, rather than a single, static entity.
4. Sexuality and death - the Sphinx as femme fatale: This chapter examines the Sphinx's portrayal as a femme fatale, exploring the themes of sexuality and death within the poem. The analysis focuses on the Sphinx's destructive power over her lovers, highlighting the connection between sexuality and mortality. The chapter likely analyzes specific passages and imagery from the poem to support its arguments, demonstrating the Sphinx's role as a symbol of both irresistible allure and ultimate annihilation. The pervasive theme of decadence likely features prominently here, reflecting the Victorian fascination with the aesthetics of decay.
5. Ammon: This chapter focuses on the figure of Ammon, exploring his significance as an ideal lover for both the femme fatale Sphinx and the poet. The analysis likely delves into the symbolic representation of Ammon and his relationship to the Sphinx. This could potentially involve exploring Ammon's role as a representation of the poet's desires or as a symbol of the loss of religious belief. The section could also discuss how Wilde utilizes the figure of Ammon to explore themes of idealism and disillusionment, further enriching the poem's overall meaning.
6. The Sphinx as a metaphor for the loss of Christian faith: This chapter interprets the Sphinx as a symbol of the decline of Christian faith within Victorian society. The analysis would likely explore how the poem reflects the growing secularization and the questioning of traditional religious beliefs during this period. The chapter may draw connections to the broader themes of sexuality, death, and decadence explored in earlier chapters, showing how the loss of faith is intertwined with other aspects of the poem's symbolic landscape. This chapter directly addresses the socio-religious context of the poem's creation.
Keywords
Oscar Wilde, The Sphinx, Mythology, Religion, Victorianism, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Femme Fatale, Sexuality, Death, Decadence, Aestheticism, Christian Faith, Symbolism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Oscar Wilde's "The Sphinx" - A Thematic Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Oscar Wilde's poem "The Sphinx," focusing on its multifaceted religious and mythological allusions and how these elements contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact. The analysis considers the poem's historical context within Victorian England and its engagement with ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the interplay between ancient Egyptian and Greek mythologies in Wilde's poem; the representation of the Sphinx as a femme fatale and a symbol of death; the poem's reflection of Victorian religious anxieties and the decline of Christian faith; the role of aestheticism and Wilde's personal philosophical views; and the exploration of sexuality and its connection to death and decadence.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into six chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction. Chapter 2 explores the religious and mythological background. Chapter 3 focuses on the characterization of the Sphinx. Chapter 4 examines the Sphinx as a femme fatale and explores themes of sexuality and death. Chapter 5 analyzes the figure of Ammon. Chapter 6 interprets the Sphinx as a metaphor for the loss of Christian faith.
How does the paper analyze the Sphinx?
The paper analyzes the Sphinx from multiple perspectives. It examines its ambiguous gender, its association with age and wisdom, and its portrayal as a powerful, seductive figure. The analysis considers the Sphinx's mythological origins and its symbolic significance within the poem's context, exploring its role as a symbol of both irresistible allure and ultimate annihilation.
What is the significance of Ammon in the poem?
The paper explores Ammon's significance as an ideal lover for both the Sphinx and the poet. The analysis likely delves into the symbolic representation of Ammon and his relationship to the Sphinx, potentially considering his role as a representation of the poet's desires or as a symbol of the loss of religious belief. The analysis considers Ammon's role in exploring themes of idealism and disillusionment.
How does the paper relate the poem to Victorian society?
The paper connects the poem to the socio-religious context of Victorian England. It explores how the poem reflects the growing secularization and questioning of traditional religious beliefs during this period. The analysis shows how the loss of faith is intertwined with other aspects of the poem's symbolic landscape, such as sexuality, death, and decadence.
What are the key terms associated with this analysis?
Key terms include: Oscar Wilde, The Sphinx, Mythology, Religion, Victorianism, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Femme Fatale, Sexuality, Death, Decadence, Aestheticism, Christian Faith, and Symbolism.
What kind of audience is this paper intended for?
This paper is intended for an academic audience interested in literary analysis, particularly those focusing on Oscar Wilde, Victorian literature, mythology, and religious studies. It's designed for structured and professional analysis of themes within the text.
Where can I find the full text of the analysis?
The full text of this analysis is not provided here. This FAQ only summarizes the contents of the provided HTML outline.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Melitta Töller (Author), 2005, Religion and mythology in Oscar Wilde's poem "The Sphinx", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82800
