This sure ain't a favorite poem of hers for me...but I am curious--and with a board of such an astute group of beings as do dwell here, I had hoped maybe someone could spot some more possible references. And I still do hope someone might spot something beyond the obvious ones I picked out.

I too am curious, why do you think it important to find referents to "history" in Sylvia Plath's poem. Her references were to war and bloodshed, in order perhaps, to relate to her internal eternal sufferings, and by consequence her self loathing, to the blood of her flesh.

But even if what I say is true, it is only one aspect of this wonderful poem. True poets have subtleties known only to the gods. You should know, wordwind, you are a poet.