Essay IIr: Ambiguity in "Leda and the Swan"
             In modern society any implications of violence and sex together are right on the border consensus and rape. The mythological story of Leda, Queen of Sparta, and Zeus disguised as a swan, is a good example where this border becomes very blurry. The rape scene of Leda by Zeus inspired many paintings, sculptures and poems including William Butler Yeats' "Leda and the Swan". The poem was first published in 1923 in its original version as "Annunciations" when it caused a big debate in Ireland. Although "Leda and the Swan" seems to glorify the manifest of power at its most obscene form, it is actually criticizing subordination and power, both politically and sexually.
             According to the Greek myth, Leda used to bathe in the river where Zeus first saw her. To get close to her he disguised himself to a swan and made an eagle perused him. Leda felt sorry for the swan and took him under her arm. Zeus continued to seduce her and eventually raped her. As a result children hatched from eggs she laid; the most beautiful Helen and Clymnestra, which were key characters in the later famous troy war. Yeats' poem deals only with the act of rape in the myth, as he describes great power I find him relating more to Leda and her desperation. When reading the poem carefully and considering the time that it was published I find it more likely to be critical to power, political or sexual. Although, I do understand why one may be mislead to think otherwise.
             In a rough reading we can see that "Leda and The Swan" is about an empowered sexual act of a god upon mortal being. The violent physical descriptions of the rape are obvious; "her nape caught in his bill"; "He holds her helpless breast upon his breast"... The poem's structure agrees with the sexual theme of the scene, as each two lines rhyme with the previous two. This crea...