Cassandra

Florence + The Machine's song "Cassandra" delves into themes of loss, disillusionment, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that has turned its back on the protagonist. The song draws inspiration from the mythological figure Cassandra, who was cursed to foresee the future but never to be believed. This myth serves as a powerful metaphor for the artist's feelings of being silenced and ignored despite having valuable insights and visions.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who once had the ability to see and shape the future but has now been rendered powerless. The lines "They cut out my eyes and sent me home packing" and "They cut out my tongue" symbolize a profound loss of agency and expression. The protagonist is left to wander aimlessly, searching for scraps of inspiration and lamenting the loss of their former abilities. This sense of disempowerment is further emphasized by the imagery of overgrown gardens and closed churches, suggesting a world that has lost its way and no longer values the divine or the prophetic.

The song also touches on themes of isolation and alienation. The repeated refrain "Can you see me? I cannot see you" underscores the protagonist's sense of being unseen and unheard. This feeling of invisibility is compounded by the realization that the gods have been domesticated and heaven is now overrated, indicating a loss of faith in higher powers and institutions. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope as the protagonist tries to find wonder in the world, even as they grapple with their blindness and deafness to the songs they once knew.

"Cassandra" is a poignant exploration of the pain of losing one's voice and vision, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that has turned indifferent. It speaks to the universal human experience of feeling silenced and unseen, and the longing to reclaim one's power and purpose.