Salome

1
Salome Carol Ann Duffy
Never again! I needed to clean up my act, get
fitter, cut out the booze and the fags and the
sex. Yes. And as for the latter, it was time to
turf out the blighter, the beater or biter,
who'd come like a lamb to the slaughter to
Salome's bed.   In tile mirror, I saw my eyes
glitter. I flung back the sticky red sheets,
and there, like I said -and ain't life a bitch -
was his head on a platter.
I'd done it before (and doubtless I'll do it
again, sooner or later) woke up with a head on
the pillow beside me -whose? - what did it
matter? Good- looking, of course, dark hair,
rather matted the reddish beard several shades
lighter with very deep lines around the
eyes, from pain, I'd guess, maybe laughter and
a beautiful crimson mouth that obviously knew how
to flatter... which I kissed... Colder than
pewter. Strange. What was his name?
Peter?   Simon? Andrew? John? I knew I'd feel
better for tea, dry toast, no butter, so rang for
the maid. And, indeed, her innocent clatter of
cups and plates, her clearing of clutter, her
regional patter, were just what needed -
hungover and wrecked as I was from a night on
the batter.
2
Who is Salome? Salome is a woman in the New
Testament. According to the Bible, Salome danced
for Herod on his birthday. He was so impressed
by her performance that he said she could have
anything she wanted. She was prompted by her
mother to ask for the head of John the Baptist
after he was executed. The head was presented to
her on a plate. In this poem, Salome is
presented as a cold, murderous woman in modern
society. Duffy creates a modern persona for
Salome.
3
This is not the first time this has
happened. She doesnt feel any regret because
she knows that she will do it again.
I'd done it before (and doubtless I'll do it
again, sooner or later) woke up with a head on
the pillow beside me -whose? - what did it
matter?
She doesnt know who the man is next to her and
she doesnt seem to care. She cant remember who
he is.
4
Good- looking, of course, dark hair, rather
matted the reddish beard several shades
lighter with very deep lines around the
eyes, from pain, I'd guess, maybe laughter and
a beautiful crimson mouth that obviously knew how
to flatter... which I kissed... Colder than
pewter.
Pewter a type of metal. This line makes the
reader suspect the man is dead.
These quotes sound normal his hair is matted,
his beard is red, his lips are red. But, we find
out that the man is dead and the colouring is
from the blood stains.
The tone of the poem is casual. Salome sounds
like shes having a chat with a friend. She
doesnt seem to take the incident seriously.
5
Strange. What was his name? Peter?   Simon?
Andrew? John? I knew I'd feel better for tea, dry
toast, no butter, so rang for the maid. And,
indeed, her innocent clatter of cups and plates,
her clearing of clutter, her regional patter,
She is trying to remember the mans name. Duffy
uses a list of biblical names these link to the
story of Salome.
The maid suggests that Salome is wealthy. The
maid is making a lot of noise. This is
emphasised by the use of onomatopoeia.
6
were just what needed - hungover and wrecked as
I was from a night on the batter. Never again! I
needed to clean up my act, get fitter, cut out
the booze and the fags and the sex.
This word has a double meaning it could mean
shes been drinking. Or, it could have a more
literal, violent meaning.
She is hungover from the night before. She says
she will clean up her act and change her
unhealthy lifestyle. Do you believe her?
Remember at the start of the poem she said shed
do it again. She uses informal language.
7
Alliteration the b sound is quite harsh.
These words suggest that Salome assumes the man
is violent.
Yes. And as for the latter, it was time to turf
out the blighter, the beater or biter, who'd
come like a lamb to the slaughter to Salome's
bed.
lamb to the slaughter is a Christian image of
innocence. This contrasts the previous line
now the man is the victim.
8
This could show her evil side. It could also
show that she is proud of what shes done she
enjoyed what she did.
In tile mirror, I saw my eyes glitter. I flung
back the sticky red sheets, and there, like I
said -and ain't life a bitch - was his head on a
platter.
Salome doesnt seem to care about what shes
done. She finally reveals that the man is dead
and only his head is in the bed. She seems to
enjoy letting the reader think she only slept
with him then she reveals the truth.
9
Carol-Ann Duffys Salome' in a nutshell!

• Salome has become a serial remover of heads.
• Having woken up with a severed head on the
  pillow, she cannot even remember the owners
  name!
• She calls for the maid, has breakfast and decides
  to clean up her life.

10
Initially there doesnt seem anything amiss. Many
people wake up in bed with a stranger in the
modern world. However, knowledge of the original
Salome makes the words profoundly shocking.
Casual almost indifferent voice. Sex is casual.
I'd done it before (and doubtless I'll do it
again, sooner or later) woke up with a head on
the pillow beside me -whose? what did it
matter? Good- looking, of course, dark hair,
rather matted the reddish beard several shades
lighter
Serial killer
Free verse. The narrator is just awakening.
Red theme
An arrogant voice. Sounds almost boastful. They
only have good looking partners.
Lots of detail.
The Godfather
11
with very deep lines around the eyes, from pain,
I'd guess, maybe laughter and a beautiful
crimson mouth that obviously knew how to
flatter... which I kissed Colder than pewter.
Strange. What was his name? Peter?
The mouth is cold because he is dead. Kissing the
decapitated head is depraved and shocking.
Red theme
Cant remember his name! The murder is told in a
very matter of fact way. Her lack of interest in
the individual suggests she might be a psychopath
12
She is now more awake so the tempo picks up.
Simon? Andrew? John? I knew I'd feel better for
tea, dry toast, no butter, so rang for the maid.
And, indeed, her innocent clatter of cups and
plates, her clearing of clutter, her regional
patter, were just what needed - hungover and
wrecked as I was from a night on the batter.
Names of the disciples. Link to the biblical
roots of the poem.
A very simple breakfast sits in juxtaposition to
the scale of her depravity.
Hard c sounds
Colloquial language. This makes it seem chatty
and friendly which is at odds with the violence
and the madness.
13
Doesnt include murder in her list of things to
cut back on.
Casual about these things. But also casual about
killing
Never again! I needed to clean up my act, get
fitter, cut out the booze and the fags and the
sex. Yes. And as for the latter, it was time to
turf out the blighter, the beater or biter,
who'd come like a lamb to the slaughter to
Salome's bed.
Hates the male sex. Misandry.
Simile
Use of the 3rd person. She is a force to be
reckoned with.
14
Red theme
In the mirror, I saw my eyes glitter. I flung
back the sticky red sheets, and there, like I
said -and ain't life a bitch - was his head on a
platter.
Is she referring to herself? Or is it ironic
sympathy for her victim?
Poem culminates in the decapitation. Echoes the
original biblical story.