SOURCE: “The Phoenix and the Turtle: A Jungian Interpretation,” in Shakespeare Yearbook, Vol. 2, Spring, 1991, pp. 187-192.

In the following essay, originally published in 1962, McCully offers an overview of The Phoenix and Turtle, and examines the spiritual meaning of the poem.

Shakespeare's poem about the phoenix and the turtle has been said to be one of the least understood poems in the English language. English poets themselves have wondered at its beauty while feeling baffled by its enigma. Perhaps all spontaneous flowing-over of truth and beauty creates its own aura of mystery and escapes the many-holed net of reason. Henry Simon has stated that no one is absolutely sure what the poem is about, though its general theme is clear enough (290). He referred to this theme as celebrating the death of a man and woman who were ideally mated. He stated that the problem is, Who were the couple...