Betrayal and Revenge in "Last Supper" Poem by Liz Lochhead
"Last Supper" by Liz Lochhead delves into themes of unfaithfulness, deceit, humiliation, and revenge through the narrative of a cheating boyfriend exposed by his partner. The poem employs various literary techniques like similes, imagery, and parenthesis to vividly depict the protagonist's wrath and the impending end of the relationship. The title alludes to a final confrontation, portrayed with biblical undertones, as the woman prepares to sever ties with her unfaithful lover in a brutal manner. The poem explores the dynamics of betrayal and retribution in relationships, showcasing the depth of hurt and the desire for redemption.
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Last Supper By BOATANK
Last Supper Last Supper by Liz Lochhead is a poem in which explores the themes of unfaithfulness, deceit, humiliation and Karma being a bitch. This is shown with a common scenario, this being a cheating boyfriend who lies and trys to hide his dirty secret from his partner. She eventually finds out and gives him a good roasting with her friends. These themes are explored through the use of Lochheads many techniques. These consist of Similes, imagery, parenthesis and short sentences. These help to highlight the protonate them of unfaithfulness throughout.
The title Last supper helps the reader to understand that the woman of the poem is having a last meal with her old love before she cuts all ties and devours him and his lies. Clear Biblical illusions. It s as he if has committed a crime so great he must be crucified for it. This Also shows her rage as the she is ready to end the relationship is such a harsh and brutal way. Last Supper Alliteration, this contrasts with the religious element. As when enrolled in any religion one of the most well known teachings is that a back is never turned on a person. If help is needed it is given. She is getting good and ready to renounce his sweet flesh. Not just lent. (For ever Sweet shows the sick pleasure and satisfaction that she is getting out of what she is about to do. Parenthesis. Not just ignoring him, completely rejecting him and all that he has done. Not a shred of forgiveness there. (capital letter and enjambment makes this clear to the reader
Stanza 2 last treat suggest the separation, like one of them is going to disappear. Tells the reader that her plan is a go. Whilst other things still need to fall in place But meanwhile she is assembling the ingredients for their last treat, the proper feast (after all didn t they always eat together Making a meal in what seems to be a romantic setting which seems to show love and affection. This only prolongs the inevitable, as the she only wants to hurt and lie to him as much as he has to her This is displaying the boyfriends absence. Possibly showing when he is with other women and cheating on his current girlfriend Parodying how she would normally be, as she is leaving him.
Stanza 3 Suggest that there was an emphasis of quantity rather than quality whilst the couple spent time together. As even though a lot of time was spent together this lead no where. Eventually leading the man a stray Rhetorical question attention and effort into her revenge. This is a ritual for the man as every time he comes over he brings a bottle. This is sarcastic as he has clearly cheated on her but brings a romantic gesture to her as if nothing has happened. This hints at a romantic scene but the tearing suggest a more violent scene. Something being separated. rather more than rather well?) So here she is tearing foliage, scrambling the salad, maybe lighting candles even, anyway stepping back to admire the effect of the table she s made (and oh yes now will have to lie on) the silverware, the nicely al- dente vegetables, the cooked goose. He could be depended on to bring the bottle plus betrayal with a kiss. She is putting care, Image of him physically lying down. Play on the pun you ve made your bed now you must lie in it. Showing that he should of committed himself to the relationship but didn t He has been caught
Stanza 4 This shows the reader that the women do it often. Like its almost a tradition. Really looking forward to her meal with friends. The Girls this tile for her friends shows a closeness. A bond.- contrast with his dirty deeds. Already she was imagining it done with, this feast, and exactly what kind of leftover hash she d make of it among friends, when it was just The Girls, when those three met again. What very good soup she could render from the bones, then something substantial, something extra tasty if not elegant. Reference to what she will do with all her power. Alludes to Macbeth and the Witches. As these women believe themselves to be all knowing and unbeatable. Showing their flaws. Their cockiness. This shows the amount of gossip the women will have.
Stanza 5 This is a reference to Macbeth, taking the tone of the poem to something more sinister. Yes, there they d be cackling around the cauldron, spitting out the gristlier bits of his giblets; gnawing on the knucklebone of some intricate irony; getting grave and dainty at the petit-gout mouthfuls of reported speech. Gnawing helps to suggest to the reader that the women are continuously talking about him. Constantly chewing him over to see if they can find anymore juicy meat on the bone. As a dog would. Alliteration is also found here along with onomatopoeia, this helps the reader to understand their predatory behaviour Witches
This suggest to the reader that his lies are a horrid filling substance, of which these women thrive on. Possibly needing this to survive. Stanza 6 Visual image of the women laughing in disgust at the mans unfortunate mistake That s rich! they d splutter, munching the lies, fat and sizzling as sausages. Then they d sink back gorged on truth and their own savage integrity, sleek on it all, preening like corbies, their bright eyes blinking satisfied till somebody would get hungry and go hunting again. Phallic imagery, showing the reader that these women are devouring the mans masculinity in the from of a good roasting. The women are satisfied now having got their full . The women are becoming like animals- crows reference to the Two Twa Corbies . This shows that these women like crows like to pick apart their victims. Feeding on the his masculinity The women enjoy this picking apart of the mans flaws, which suggests a level of hypocrisy.
