Beginning of Essay
Question: "On the surface, Heaney's poems are very simple. This simplicity however is deceptive, for the poems are usually most subtle and complex." What do you think of this response to Heaney's poems? Heaney's poetry may at first, initially seem simple, yet his ....

Middle of Essay
.... is seen throughout the poem, where the reader initially could perceive the poem to solely be about the life, and appearance of a 'bog woman'. However at a deeper level, Heaney looks at the very human society functions, both in ancient and present times. This us summed up at the end of the poem; "who would connive in civilized outrage yet understand the exact and tribal, intimate revenge" (Stanza 11) Heaney here, writes that he does not only feel empathy and sympathy towards the "little Adulteress", but is also able to detach himself from his emotions and look at her death as a function of an ancient tribal system. The role which the bog woma ....