Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper"explores themes of betrayal, toxic relationships,... Show more
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Updated Apr 1, 2026
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Exploring Liz Lochhead Poems: Themes of 'Last Supper', 'Revelation', and 'The Bargain'
1 / 4
Page 2: The Aftermath
The second page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" shifts focus to the aftermath of the relationship's end. The speaker imagines sharing the details of the breakup with her female friends, referred to as "The Girls."
Lochhead uses culinary metaphors to describe how the women will dissect the relationship:
Quote: "What very good soup she could render from the bones, (the remains of it)"
This vivid imagery suggests that the women will extract every last detail from the failed relationship, leaving nothing unexplored.
The poet employs enjambment and capitalization to emphasize the strength of the female group. The friends are compared to the three witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth, creating a supernatural and threatening atmosphere.
Example: The line "cackling around the cauldron" directly evokes the image of witches, reinforcing the sinister tone.
Lochhead uses words associated with eating and gluttony to describe how the women will consume the details of the breakup:
- "gnawing on the knucklebone"
- "gorged on truth"
- "munching the lies, fat and sizzling as sausages"
This cannibalistic imagery creates an unsettling portrayal of female friendships and how they can sometimes feed off others' misfortunes.
Page 3: The Toxic Cycle
The third page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" continues to explore the theme of toxic female relationships. The poet uses assonance and vivid imagery to portray the women's behavior as they dissect their friend's failed relationship.
Highlight: The line "sleek on it all, preening like corbies, their bright eyes blinking" compares the women to carrion crows, emphasizing their predatory nature.
Lochhead suggests that this process of gossiping and analyzing others' relationships is cyclical:
Quote: "till somebody would get hungry and go hunting again.."
This implies that the women derive a sort of satisfaction from these discussions and will seek out new "prey" when they need more gossip.
The poet presents a critical view of this behavior, highlighting the double standards at play. While the women may appear to sympathize with their wronged friend, they actually seem to enjoy dissecting the details of the failed relationship.
Definition: Misandry, hinted at in the poem, refers to the hatred or dislike of men or boys.
Lochhead's portrayal of these female relationships is complex and nuanced, showing how support can sometimes blur into a form of emotional predation.
Page 4: Themes and Techniques
The final page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" summarizes the key themes and literary techniques used throughout the poem:
Themes:
- Toxic female relationships
- Romantic relationships
- Betrayal and infidelity
Literary Techniques:
-
Word Choice: Lochhead carefully selects words to create vivid imagery and convey complex emotions.
-
Sentence Structure: The poet uses enjambment and varied line lengths to control pacing and emphasis.
-
Sound Devices: Alliteration, assonance, and sibilance are employed to create mood and reinforce themes.
-
Imagery: Rich, often unsettling imagery is used throughout, particularly related to food and predatory animals.
Example: The comparison of women to "corbies" (Scottish for carrion crows) creates a powerful visual metaphor.
Liz Lochhead's poems, including "Last Supper," often explore the complexities of human relationships and gender dynamics. This poem in particular showcases her ability to blend everyday situations with deeper, more unsettling themes.
Highlight: Lochhead's work, including poems like "Revelation" and "Box Room," frequently addresses issues of identity, relationships, and Scottish culture.
For students studying Liz Lochhead's poetry, it's important to consider how she uses language and imagery to create layers of meaning and to challenge readers' expectations about familiar situations.
Page 1: Setting the Scene
The opening of Liz Lochhead's poem "Last Supper" introduces a woman preparing a final meal for her partner, with whom she plans to end the relationship. The poet uses sibilance and alliteration to create a slightly sinister atmosphere, hinting at the speaker's intentions.
The preparation of the meal is described in detail, with the speaker "assembling the ingredients for their last treat." This feast is compared to the biblical Last Supper, suggesting themes of betrayal and finality.
Highlight: The line "She is getting good and ready to renounce his sweet flesh" uses a metaphor to equate ending the relationship with giving up the partner's physical presence.
The poem's structure, with short, fragmented lines, reflects the speaker's emotional state and the disintegration of the relationship. Lochhead employs violent imagery in describing the food preparation, such as "tearing foliage" and "scrambling the salad," which mirrors the speaker's inner turmoil.
Vocabulary: "Al dente" refers to pasta cooked to be firm to the bite, used here to describe the vegetables in the meal.
The phrase "the cooked goose" carries a double meaning, referring both to the meal being prepared and the idiom "your goose is cooked," implying that the partner's fate is sealed.
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Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Exploring Liz Lochhead Poems: Themes of 'Last Supper', 'Revelation', and 'The Bargain'
Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" explores themes of betrayal, toxic relationships, and female friendships through vivid imagery and poetic devices.
- The poem depicts a woman preparing a final meal for her unfaithful partner
- It uses biblical allusions and sinister undertones to... Show more
Page 2: The Aftermath
The second page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" shifts focus to the aftermath of the relationship's end. The speaker imagines sharing the details of the breakup with her female friends, referred to as "The Girls."
Lochhead uses culinary metaphors to describe how the women will dissect the relationship:
Quote: "What very good soup she could render from the bones, (the remains of it)"
This vivid imagery suggests that the women will extract every last detail from the failed relationship, leaving nothing unexplored.
The poet employs enjambment and capitalization to emphasize the strength of the female group. The friends are compared to the three witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth, creating a supernatural and threatening atmosphere.
Example: The line "cackling around the cauldron" directly evokes the image of witches, reinforcing the sinister tone.
Lochhead uses words associated with eating and gluttony to describe how the women will consume the details of the breakup:
- "gnawing on the knucklebone"
- "gorged on truth"
- "munching the lies, fat and sizzling as sausages"
This cannibalistic imagery creates an unsettling portrayal of female friendships and how they can sometimes feed off others' misfortunes.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Page 3: The Toxic Cycle
The third page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" continues to explore the theme of toxic female relationships. The poet uses assonance and vivid imagery to portray the women's behavior as they dissect their friend's failed relationship.
Highlight: The line "sleek on it all, preening like corbies, their bright eyes blinking" compares the women to carrion crows, emphasizing their predatory nature.
Lochhead suggests that this process of gossiping and analyzing others' relationships is cyclical:
Quote: "till somebody would get hungry and go hunting again.."
This implies that the women derive a sort of satisfaction from these discussions and will seek out new "prey" when they need more gossip.
The poet presents a critical view of this behavior, highlighting the double standards at play. While the women may appear to sympathize with their wronged friend, they actually seem to enjoy dissecting the details of the failed relationship.
Definition: Misandry, hinted at in the poem, refers to the hatred or dislike of men or boys.
Lochhead's portrayal of these female relationships is complex and nuanced, showing how support can sometimes blur into a form of emotional predation.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Page 4: Themes and Techniques
The final page of Liz Lochhead's "Last Supper" summarizes the key themes and literary techniques used throughout the poem:
Themes:
- Toxic female relationships
- Romantic relationships
- Betrayal and infidelity
Literary Techniques:
-
Word Choice: Lochhead carefully selects words to create vivid imagery and convey complex emotions.
-
Sentence Structure: The poet uses enjambment and varied line lengths to control pacing and emphasis.
-
Sound Devices: Alliteration, assonance, and sibilance are employed to create mood and reinforce themes.
-
Imagery: Rich, often unsettling imagery is used throughout, particularly related to food and predatory animals.
Example: The comparison of women to "corbies" (Scottish for carrion crows) creates a powerful visual metaphor.
Liz Lochhead's poems, including "Last Supper," often explore the complexities of human relationships and gender dynamics. This poem in particular showcases her ability to blend everyday situations with deeper, more unsettling themes.
Highlight: Lochhead's work, including poems like "Revelation" and "Box Room," frequently addresses issues of identity, relationships, and Scottish culture.
For students studying Liz Lochhead's poetry, it's important to consider how she uses language and imagery to create layers of meaning and to challenge readers' expectations about familiar situations.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Page 1: Setting the Scene
The opening of Liz Lochhead's poem "Last Supper" introduces a woman preparing a final meal for her partner, with whom she plans to end the relationship. The poet uses sibilance and alliteration to create a slightly sinister atmosphere, hinting at the speaker's intentions.
The preparation of the meal is described in detail, with the speaker "assembling the ingredients for their last treat." This feast is compared to the biblical Last Supper, suggesting themes of betrayal and finality.
Highlight: The line "She is getting good and ready to renounce his sweet flesh" uses a metaphor to equate ending the relationship with giving up the partner's physical presence.
The poem's structure, with short, fragmented lines, reflects the speaker's emotional state and the disintegration of the relationship. Lochhead employs violent imagery in describing the food preparation, such as "tearing foliage" and "scrambling the salad," which mirrors the speaker's inner turmoil.
Vocabulary: "Al dente" refers to pasta cooked to be firm to the bite, used here to describe the vegetables in the meal.
The phrase "the cooked goose" carries a double meaning, referring both to the meal being prepared and the idiom "your goose is cooked," implying that the partner's fate is sealed.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Liz Lochhead
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Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user