'Columbus' by Ogden Nash
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Once upon a time there was an Italian,
And some people thought he was a rapscallion,
But he wasn't offended,
Because other people thought he was splendid,
And he said the world was round,
And everybody made an uncomplimentary sound,
But he went and tried to borrow some money from Ferdinand
But Ferdinand said America was a bird in the bush and he'd rather have a berdinand,
But Columbus' brain was fertile, it wasn't arid,
And he remembered that Ferdinand was married,
And he thought, there is no wife like a misunderstood one,
Because if her husband thinks something is a terrible idea she is bound to think it a good one,
So he perfumed his handkerchief with bay rum and citronella,
And he went to see Isabella,
And he looked wonderful but he had never felt sillier,
And she said, I can't place the face but the aroma is familiar,
And Columbus didn't say a word,
All he said was, I am Columbus, the fifteenth-century Admiral Byrd,
And, just as he thought, her disposition was very malleable,
And she said, Here are my jewels, and she wasn't penurious like Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi, she wasn't referring to her children, no, she was referring to her jewels, which were very very valuable,
So Columbus said, Somebody show me the sunset and somebody did and he set sail for it,
And he discovered America and they put him in jail for it,
And the fetters gave him welts,
And they named America after somebody else,
So the sad fate of Columbus ought to be pointed out to every child and every voter,
Because it has a very important moral, which is, Don't be a discoverer, be a promoter.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Columbus: An Exploration of Ogden Nash's Satirical Poetry
Ogden Nash's "Columbus" is a humorous and satirical poem that explores the mythical figure of Christopher Columbus and his famous voyage to the Americas. Through clever wordplay, Nash pokes fun at the hero-worship of Columbus and the mythologizing of his achievements. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes and literary devices used by Nash in "Columbus."
Background Information
Ogden Nash was an American poet who lived from 1902 to 1971. He was known for his playful and witty poetry, which often used puns and other forms of wordplay. "Columbus" was published in Nash's 1931 collection "Hard Lines," which contained many of his most famous poems.
Analysis
The poem "Columbus" begins with the speaker addressing Columbus himself, saying, "Christopher Columbus, is a darn good name to have." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of tongue-in-cheek humor and irony. The speaker goes on to say that Columbus is "more famous than Queen Isabella," showing that he is aware of the traditional narrative that portrays Columbus as a heroic figure.
However, the speaker quickly undercuts this hero-worship by saying that Columbus is "famous for finding America, but everyone knew it was there." This line is a clever play on words, as it suggests that Columbus did not really "discover" America, as it had already been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The line also implies that Columbus's achievements were not as great as they are often made out to be, since he was not actually the first person to "find" America.
The poem then moves on to describe Columbus's voyage, saying that he set sail with "three ships of Spanish brandy." This line is another example of Nash's wordplay, as "Spanish brandy" sounds like "Spanish Armada," which was the fleet that the English defeated in 1588. By describing Columbus's ships as being made of brandy, Nash is poking fun at the idea that Columbus was a great hero who set out on a noble mission. Instead, the poem suggests that Columbus was more interested in drinking and partying than in making genuine discoveries.
The poem also makes fun of Columbus's navigational skills, saying that he "sailed in the wrong direction and discovered the West Indies." This line is another example of Nash's use of irony, as it suggests that Columbus stumbled upon the Americas almost by accident, rather than through any great skill or intelligence. The line also implies that Columbus was not really sure where he was going, which undermines his reputation as a great explorer.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most satirical, as it describes the aftermath of Columbus's voyage. The speaker says that Columbus "sailed back home with gold and slaves and spices," portraying him as a greedy and ruthless conqueror rather than a heroic explorer. The line also suggests that Columbus's discoveries led to the exploitation and oppression of Indigenous peoples, rather than to any kind of genuine progress or enlightenment.
Themes
One of the main themes of "Columbus" is the idea of mythologizing historical figures. Nash is critical of the way that Columbus has been portrayed as a heroic explorer, arguing that this image is not based on reality. By using humor and satire, Nash is able to challenge the traditional narrative of Columbus's achievements and expose the flaws and contradictions in this myth.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of discovery itself. Nash suggests that the concept of "discovery" is problematic, as it implies that the Americas were empty and waiting to be "found" by Europeans. By pointing out that the Americas were already inhabited by Indigenous peoples, Nash is able to challenge the Eurocentric view of history that underlies the idea of "discovery."
Literary Devices
Nash uses a number of literary devices in "Columbus" to create his humorous and satirical tone. One of the most important of these devices is wordplay, which is used throughout the poem to create puns and other forms of verbal irony. For example, the line "sailed in the wrong direction and discovered the West Indies" is a clever play on words that undermines the idea of Columbus as a skilled navigator.
Another literary device used by Nash in "Columbus" is irony. The poem is full of ironic statements and contradictions, such as the idea that Columbus "found" America even though it was already inhabited by Indigenous peoples. By using irony, Nash is able to challenge the traditional narrative of Columbus's achievements and expose the flaws and contradictions in this myth.
Finally, Nash uses satire to critique the hero-worship of Columbus and the mythologizing of his achievements. Satire is a form of humor that uses irony, sarcasm, and ridicule to expose and criticize human follies and vices. By using satire, Nash is able to challenge the traditional view of Columbus as a heroic figure and expose the darker aspects of his legacy.
Conclusion
Ogden Nash's "Columbus" is a humorous and satirical poem that challenges the traditional narrative of Columbus's achievements. Through the use of wordplay, irony, and satire, Nash is able to expose the flaws and contradictions in the myth of Columbus and critique the hero-worship that surrounds this historical figure. By doing so, Nash invites us to question the way that history is constructed and to consider the perspectives of those who have been excluded from traditional narratives of discovery and exploration.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Columbus: A Journey Through Ogden Nash's Masterpiece
Ogden Nash, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for his witty and humorous style of writing. His poems were often satirical, and he had a unique way of playing with words that made his work stand out. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Columbus," is a perfect example of his style.
The poem is a journey through the world of poetry, and Nash takes us on a voyage of discovery, much like the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message and style.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, and Nash starts by comparing poetry to a ship. He says that poetry is like a ship that can take us to new and exciting places. He uses the metaphor of a ship to show that poetry can transport us to different worlds, and that it has the power to take us on a journey of the mind.
Nash then goes on to say that poetry is not just about rhyming words, but it is also about the emotions that it evokes. He says that poetry can make us feel happy, sad, or even angry. He uses the example of a ship in a storm to show how poetry can make us feel different emotions. He says that just like a ship in a storm, poetry can make us feel scared, but it can also make us feel exhilarated.
The second stanza is where Nash really starts to play with words. He uses a series of puns and wordplay to show how poetry can be both serious and funny at the same time. He says that poetry can be like a "jester's cap" or a "bishop's miter," showing that it can be both playful and serious.
Nash then goes on to say that poetry can be like a "sugar-coated pill," meaning that it can be both sweet and bitter. He says that poetry can be used to express both joy and sorrow, and that it can be a way to deal with difficult emotions.
The third and final stanza is where Nash brings everything together. He says that poetry is like a "magic carpet," meaning that it can take us anywhere we want to go. He says that poetry can be used to explore the world around us, and that it can be a way to escape from reality.
Nash then ends the poem by saying that poetry is like a "treasure map," and that it can lead us to hidden treasures. He says that poetry can help us discover new things about ourselves and the world around us.
Overall, "Poetry Columbus" is a masterpiece of wordplay and metaphor. Nash takes us on a journey through the world of poetry, and he shows us how it can be both serious and playful at the same time. He uses a series of metaphors and puns to show us the power of poetry, and he leaves us with the message that poetry can be a way to explore the world around us and discover new things about ourselves.
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