Mythology
Charon's Cosmology
Charon's Cosmology
What does the poem mainly discuss?
Death. The poet uses an allusion of Charon to discuss about death.
What does the poet mean by “swift, cold, and deep” in the last line? What is swift, cold, and deep?
The River Styx.
This poem is about death. The last line can also be interpreted as the description of death.
Death is like a river. River of no return
Death
Death is swift. What does it mean?
You don’t know when you’re going to die. It might happen so suddenly that you don’t have time to prepare for it.
Death is cold. What does it mean?
Obviously your body turns cold when you die. Also cold here represents the bitterness and cruelty of life. Some may find death heartbreaking and cruel.
Death is deep. What does it mean?
Morpheus, the god of Dream, and Hypnos, the god of Sleep dwell in the underworld. In literary interpretation, when talking about sleep it can sometimes be interpreted as being dead. The expression “to have a deep sleep” can be related to the word “deep” in this poem that it’s actually talking about death as well.
Symbols
What do a crust of bread and a sausage symbolize?
They’re food. Things we eat, enjoy, and can’t live without but when we die, these things (also food) are not important. Anything you do or possess on earth doesn’t matter anymore when you’re dead. Charon will throw them into the dark river.
How about a book? What does it symbolize?
It symbolizes wisdom. Whether you’re smart or stupid, you will die. You cannot escape death by wisdom or knowledge.
How about a mirror?
The mirror symbolizes physical appearance or beauty. Beauty is nothing when you’re dead. Both pretty and ugly people have to die someday. No one can avoid death.
Theme
What is the theme of this poem?
Death is definite, quick, and cruel. No one can avoid it. Whether you’re beautiful, or ugly, or wise, or stupid, or rich, or poor, you all will die.
Tone
What is the tone of the poem?
It seems like Charon’s
Charon's Cosmology
What does the poem mainly discuss?
Death. The poet uses an allusion of Charon to discuss about death.
What does the poet mean by “swift, cold, and deep” in the last line? What is swift, cold, and deep?
The River Styx.
This poem is about death. The last line can also be interpreted as the description of death.
Death is like a river. River of no return
Death
Death is swift. What does it mean?
You don’t know when you’re going to die. It might happen so suddenly that you don’t have time to prepare for it.
Death is cold. What does it mean?
Obviously your body turns cold when you die. Also cold here represents the bitterness and cruelty of life. Some may find death heartbreaking and cruel.
Death is deep. What does it mean?
Morpheus, the god of Dream, and Hypnos, the god of Sleep dwell in the underworld. In literary interpretation, when talking about sleep it can sometimes be interpreted as being dead. The expression “to have a deep sleep” can be related to the word “deep” in this poem that it’s actually talking about death as well.
Symbols
What do a crust of bread and a sausage symbolize?
They’re food. Things we eat, enjoy, and can’t live without but when we die, these things (also food) are not important. Anything you do or possess on earth doesn’t matter anymore when you’re dead. Charon will throw them into the dark river.
How about a book? What does it symbolize?
It symbolizes wisdom. Whether you’re smart or stupid, you will die. You cannot escape death by wisdom or knowledge.
How about a mirror?
The mirror symbolizes physical appearance or beauty. Beauty is nothing when you’re dead. Both pretty and ugly people have to die someday. No one can avoid death.
Theme
What is the theme of this poem?
Death is definite, quick, and cruel. No one can avoid it. Whether you’re beautiful, or ugly, or wise, or stupid, or rich, or poor, you all will die.
Tone
What is the tone of the poem?
It seems like Charon’s