'An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog' by Oliver Goldsmith
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Good people all, of every sort,
Give ear unto my song;
And if you find it wondrous short,
It cannot hold you long.
In Islington there was a man
Of whom the world might say,
That still a godly race he ran—
Whene'er he went to pray.
A kind and gentle heart he had,
To comfort friends and foes;
The naked every day he clad—
When he put on his clothes.
And in that town a dog was found,
As many dogs there be,
Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound,
And curs of low degree.
This dog and man at first were friends;
But when a pique began,
The dog, to gain some private ends,
Went mad, and bit the man.
Around from all the neighbouring streets
The wond'ring neighbours ran,
And swore the dog had lost its wits
To bite so good a man.
The wound it seemed both sore and sad
To every Christian eye;
And while they swore the dog was mad,
They swore the man would die.
But soon a wonder came to light
That showed the rogues they lied,—
The man recovered of the bite,
The dog it was that died!
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog: A Masterpiece By Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith, the Irish poet and playwright, is known for his witty and satirical works that often blended humor and social commentary. One of his most famous poems, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog," is a prime example of his genius. The poem, which was first published in 1766, is a humorous and ironic commentary on human nature and society.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
Themes
At first glance, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" appears to be a simple poem about the death of a dog. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is a commentary on human nature and society. The poem explores themes such as:
The Nature Of Violence
The poem begins with the death of a mad dog, who is killed by a group of men. The dog's madness is caused by the cruelty and violence of humans, who have mistreated and abused him. The poem suggests that violence begets violence, and that the cycle of cruelty and aggression is perpetuated by the actions of humans.
The Folly Of Human Behavior
The poem also highlights the foolishness of human behavior. The men who kill the dog are described as "wretches" who take pleasure in violence and cruelty. The poem suggests that human behavior is often irrational and foolish, and that people are often driven by base desires such as anger, greed, and envy.
The Inevitability Of Death
Finally, the poem explores the inevitability of death. The dog's death is an inevitable consequence of his madness and the violence of humans. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that all living things must eventually succumb to it.
Structure
"An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a short poem consisting of only 23 lines. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each couplet containing a full sentence. The use of rhyming couplets gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize its satirical tone.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains seven lines. The first six lines of each stanza describe the death of the dog, while the final line of each stanza provides a commentary on human behavior.
Literary Devices
Oliver Goldsmith was a master of literary devices, and "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is no exception. The poem makes use of a number of literary devices, including:
Irony
The poem is full of irony, as the elegy is written not for a human, but for a mad dog. The irony highlights the absurdity of human behavior and emphasizes the poem's satirical tone.
Personification
The dog is personified in the poem, as he is described as being "foaming mad" and "raving fierce." The personification of the dog helps to create a vivid and memorable image in the reader's mind.
Metaphor
The poem makes use of metaphor, as the dog's madness is compared to the "plague" that was rampant in London at the time. The metaphor helps to emphasize the destructive nature of the dog's madness.
Alliteration
The poem makes use of alliteration, as in the line "the mastiff, much provoked, did wince." The alliteration helps to create a musical quality in the poem and makes it more memorable.
Interpretation
"An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a masterful piece of satire that explores the themes of violence, folly, and death. The poem is full of irony and humor, but it also contains a serious message about human nature and society.
The poem suggests that violence begets violence and that human behavior is often irrational and foolish. Goldsmith uses the death of a dog to highlight the destructive nature of human behavior and to call attention to the need for compassion and understanding.
In conclusion, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Goldsmith's use of satire, irony, and humor make the poem both entertaining and thought-provoking, while his commentary on human nature and society remains as relevant today as it was in the 18th century.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog: A Classic Poem by Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith, a renowned Irish poet, playwright, and novelist, wrote the classic poem "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" in 1766. The poem is a satirical elegy that tells the story of a mad dog that terrorizes a town and is eventually killed by its own madness. The poem is a masterpiece of satirical poetry, and it is still widely read and appreciated today.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, and it has a simple and straightforward structure. The poem consists of twenty-two stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in the first person, and the narrator is an observer of the events that take place in the town.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the mad dog that has come to the town. The dog is described as being "foaming at the mouth" and "raving mad." The dog is so dangerous that the people of the town are afraid to go outside. The narrator describes how the dog terrorizes the town, biting people and causing chaos.
The poem then takes a satirical turn, as the narrator describes how the people of the town react to the mad dog. The people of the town are described as being more concerned with their own safety than with the safety of others. The narrator describes how the people of the town lock themselves in their houses and refuse to help each other.
The poem then takes another satirical turn, as the narrator describes how the people of the town react when the mad dog is finally killed. The people of the town are described as being more concerned with the value of the dog's carcass than with the fact that the dog was a danger to the town. The narrator describes how the people of the town fight over the dog's carcass, and how they are more concerned with making a profit than with the safety of the town.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the madness of the dog and the madness of the people of the town. The narrator suggests that the madness of the dog was a reflection of the madness of the people of the town. The poem is a powerful commentary on human nature and the way that people react to danger.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of satire. Satire is a literary technique that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or ridicule human behavior. Goldsmith uses satire to criticize the people of the town for their selfishness and greed. The poem is a powerful critique of human nature and the way that people react to danger.
Another striking feature of the poem is its use of imagery. Goldsmith uses vivid imagery to describe the mad dog and the chaos that it causes. The dog is described as being "foaming at the mouth" and "raving mad." The chaos that the dog causes is described in vivid detail, with images of people running and screaming.
The poem is also notable for its use of language. Goldsmith uses simple and straightforward language to tell the story of the mad dog. The poem is easy to read and understand, and it is accessible to readers of all ages.
In conclusion, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a classic poem that is still widely read and appreciated today. The poem is a powerful commentary on human nature and the way that people react to danger. Goldsmith's use of satire, imagery, and language make the poem a masterpiece of satirical poetry. The poem is a reminder that human nature is complex and that we must be aware of our own weaknesses and limitations.
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