Leda and the Swan

IB English Literature and Composition
Dr. Busse

Leda and the Swan 

     In this poem Zeus rapes Leda in the form of a swan. The poem alludes to the burning of Troy, and King Agamemnon: "The broken wall, the burning roof and tower/And Agamemnon dead."(L.10). The poem also contains images of Zeus the "white rush", and Leda's "vague fingers" where its questioned whether she actually fought for herself. Sexual images in this poem include "thighs caressed", "He holds her helpless breast upon his breast", and "A shudder in the loins engenders there". The other chooses to describe the sexual scenes as so maybe in order to keep it "PG" although the tone of the poem is informal.