Asdrubal, a military commander of Carthage, surrendered to the Romans to save his own life. “The wife of Asdrubal” by Felicia Hemans describes the scene of Carthage in flames and his wife’s own desperate acts. It is interesting to note that Carthage is described as female. “Her walls have sunk, and pyramids of fire/ In lurid splendor from her domes aspire,” (lines 4-5). Asdrubal betrayed not one, but two women that he had sworn to love and protect. While Carthage burns, Asdrubal’s wife appears. Amid the chaos and the flames, the speaker gives this woman a glorious description. “All regal in magnificent attire,/ And sternly beauteous in terrific ire,” (lines 17-18). She is even likened to a priestess. Though her husband fled the battle, she remains loyal to her city. She carries herself with honor and dignity, and glares at her husband, who is, “ignobaly safe” (line 40). While her husband surrendered in fear, this woman stands firm. “A daring spirit, in its woes elate,/ Mightier than death, untamable by fate./ The dark profusion of her locks unbound,/ waves like a warrior’s floating plumage round,” (lines 27-30). Asdrubal’s wife refuses to follow her husband’s example and surrender. The wife is the “good captain” who goes down with her “ship”.
It is difficult to defend a woman who kills her own children. It is possible that she did this to keep them from suffering either life in Roman chains or death in flames. However, the public manner in which she did this suggests that she is trying to convey a much larger idea. “She seems th’ avenging goddess of the scene,” (line 32). His wife is ensuring that he looses everything that ever mattered to him, that in putting aside his duties and loyalties, he also sacrificed his children. Additionally, children are their parents’ legacy. In killing her children, Asdrubal’s wife ensures that doing so Asdrubel’s legacy will end and never be redeemed by his sons. His name will always be shamed. In killing her children, she also allows them to die as loyal citizens of Carthage and keeps them free from the taint of her husband’s betrayal. Instead, they become martyrs, remembered for their innocence, and symbols of their fathers terrible betrayal.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteVery good attention to and speculation on Hemans's poem, with excellent comments on the varied possible meanings of the passages you quote and explore. One minor note, though; be sure to indicate possessive with an apostrophe+s (in the final words, "father's terrible betrayal"). Good attention to the gendering of the city!
Heather,
ReplyDeleteGreat piece. I took the poem in a different direction, possibly the direction of martyr and not murderer. I only looked at the wife as the martyr and not the children. Something I totally missed! I guess, because I was so wrapped up in the images in my mind, I did forget about how vile the act may be of killing children. Symbols of their father's betrayal. I like that.
I enjoyed your outlook of the poem. However, I too saw her as more of a martyr. The Wife of Asdrubal was acting as she believed her husband should have. She was the strong figure, doing what she deems necessary, even though that means the death of her children.
ReplyDeleteI think all these viewpoints are interesting! I saw the wife protecting the children. She saved them from a horrible death just in the nick of time. I think she felt guilt over killing them (she looks to heaven at the end) but did not kill them because of the father's betrayal. It seemed to me like she kills them to protect them from the fate the father chose for them.
ReplyDeleteEither way, the symbolism is really interesting, Heather!