Mrs Sisyphus (Duffy)

Question 1

Context

Mrs Sisyphus

Answer 1

Inspired by the Greek myth of Sisyphus — a king condemned to eternally push a boulder uphill, only for it to roll back down each time — this poem offers a modern, satirical retelling from the perspective of his wife. Rather than admiring his perseverance, she crudely mocks his obsessive devotion to this futile task, portraying it as both ridiculous and selfish. Through sardonic humour and domestic imagery, she highlights how his endless labour has caused emotional distance and led to the collapse of their relationship. The poem becomes a feminist critique of male stubbornness and ego, reimagining myth through the lens of marital frustration and power imbalance.

Question 2

Comparison and contrast with porphyrias lover

Mrs Sisyphus

Answer 2

Critique of male obsession (porphyrias lover with control, and sisyphus with work)
There is a clear power imbalance, with both men dominating in their own ways, but Mrs Sisyphus is given a voice, while Porphyria is silenced

Question 3

Comparison and contrast with A tocatta of gallupis

Answer 3

Both explore the futility of certain human endeavours (sisyphus with his endless task, and venitians with empty pleasures of life)
Duffys poem is domestic and embodied, while Brownings is philosophical and imagined. (futility observed from firsthand vs afar)

Question 4

Comparison and Contrast with my last dutchess

Answer 4

frustration and emotional isolation, jealousy causes emotional isolation in my last dutchess, and obsession is the root in mrs sisyphus
Vs Mld- the duchess is silenced, and we cannot grasp her reactions, while we can openly observe Mrs Sisyphus’s reactions

Question 5

Key quotes

Mrs Sisyphus

Answer 5

“that feckin’ stones no sooner up/ than its rolling back/ all the way down”
“feeling like noahs wife did/ when he hammered away at the ark”
“what use is a perk, i shreik/ when you haven’t got time to pop open a cork/ or go for so much as a walk in the park”
“Mustn’t shirk/ keen as a hawk/ lean as a shark/ mustn’t shirk”

Question 6

“that feckin’ stones no sooner up/ than its rolling back/ all the way down”

Answer 6

use of colloquial language and imagery of boulder rolling down which is further emphasised by use of enjambed lines, really reflects Mrs Sisyphus’ frustration with her husbands absurd devotion to his work

Question 7

“feeling like noahs wife did/ when he hammered away at the ark”

Answer 7

allusion to noahs wife emphasises her invisibility and how she has been silenced
- direct parallel with MLD (neptune allusion), use of allusion to portray the silencing of women and male dominated society

Question 8

“what use is a perk, i shreik/ when you haven’t got time to pop open a cork/ or go for so much as a walk in the park”

Answer 8

rhetorical question emphasises her disillusionment with superficial rewards, emphasises frustration and lack of enjoyment in life, his obession is ruining both of their lives and leaving her isolated, displaying a clear power imbalance in the relationship

Question 9

“Mustn’t shirk/ keen as a hawk/ lean as a shark/ mustn’t shirk”

Answer 9

repetition used highlighting Mrs Sisyphus’ building frustration with her husband, highlighting his relentless work ethic and alienation of her
comparison with MLD and porphyrias lover (also uses repetition to portray corrosive obsession)