'The Macaronis' by Robert Service
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Italian people peaceful are,--
Let it be to their credit.
They mostly fail to win a war,
--Oh they themselves have said it.
"Allergic we to lethal guns
And military might:
We love our homes and little ones,
And loath to fight."
But Teutons are a warrior race
Who seek the sword to rattle;
And in the sun they claim a place,
Even at price of battle.
The prestige of a uniform
Is sacred in their sight;
They deem that they are soldiers born
And might is right.
And so I love Italians though
Their fighting powers are petty;
My heart with sympathy doth go
To eaters of spaghetti.
And if the choice were left to me,
I know beyond a doubt
A hundred times I'd rather be
A Dago than a Kraut.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Macaronis: A Literary Critique
Wow, what a poem! Robert Service's The Macaronis is truly a work of art that deserves to be studied and appreciated. In this literary critique, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used by Service to convey his message.
Overview of The Macaronis
The Macaronis is a humorous poem that takes a playful jab at the fashion trends of the 18th century. The poem is written in the form of a conversation between two friends, one of whom has just returned from a trip to Italy, where he has encountered the "macaroni" style. This style was characterized by outlandish and flamboyant clothing, wigs, and a generally excessive lifestyle. The speaker is utterly amused by the macaronis and their ridiculous ways, often resorting to sarcasm and hyperbole to convey his feelings.
Theme of Excess
One of the main themes of The Macaronis is excess. The macaronis are portrayed as people who have taken their love for fashion and luxury to an extreme level. They wear outlandish clothing, spend exorbitant amounts of money on their appearance, and indulge in all sorts of frivolous activities. The speaker, however, finds all of this to be absurd and mocks them for it:
They're dainty, they're nice, they're Italianised,
They're macaronis, and they're dressed to kill;
They fight duels with swords and parasols,
And wear their pretty frills and flounces still.
This mocking tone is present throughout the poem and serves to highlight the ridiculousness of the macaroni lifestyle. Service's use of exaggeration and sarcasm help to drive home the point that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Symbolism of Clothing
Service uses clothing as a symbol throughout the poem to represent the macaronis' excess. The macaronis are described as wearing "silken hose" and "diamond studs," which are symbols of wealth and luxury. The speaker, on the other hand, is described as wearing "breeches and boots" and carrying a "hunting-horn," which are symbols of a simpler, more down-to-earth lifestyle. This contrast between the two characters serves to reinforce the theme of excess and the dangers of indulging in luxury and extravagance.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices in The Macaronis to create a playful and engaging tone. One of the most prominent devices is rhyme. The poem follows an AABBCC rhyme scheme, which gives it a sing-song quality and makes it easier to remember. The use of repetition is also prevalent in the poem, with phrases like "They're dainty, they're nice" and "And wear their pretty frills and flounces still" appearing multiple times. This repetition serves to create a sense of rhythm and emphasize the ridiculousness of the macaronis' behavior.
Service also uses irony and sarcasm throughout the poem. For example, when the speaker says, "They're macaronis, and they're dressed to kill," he is using the phrase "dressed to kill" ironically to show that the macaronis are more concerned with their appearance than with actual combat. This use of irony helps to create a humorous and playful tone throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Macaronis is a humorous and engaging poem that uses exaggeration, symbolism, and literary devices to convey its message. The theme of excess is a central focus of the poem, with the macaronis serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of indulging in luxury and extravagance. Service's use of rhyme, repetition, and irony help to create a playful and engaging tone that keeps the reader entertained. Overall, The Macaronis is a true classic that deserves to be read and enjoyed by generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Macaronis: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's the author of many famous poems, including "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." But have you ever heard of "The Macaronis"? It's a lesser-known poem by Service, but it's just as entertaining and thought-provoking as his more famous works.
"The Macaronis" is a poem about fashion and social status. It was written in the early 1900s, a time when men's fashion was changing rapidly. The poem is about a group of men who are obsessed with the latest fashion trends, particularly the "macaroni" style. This style was characterized by tight-fitting clothes, high heels, and elaborate wigs. It was popular among wealthy men in the 18th century, but by the time Service wrote his poem, it had become outdated and ridiculous.
The poem begins with a description of the macaronis:
Oh London Macaronis! you with your swallow-tails on, And your knee-breeches, and your wig so grand, And your walking-stick that you would not drop for a thousand pound, And your little hat that you hold in your hand.
The macaronis are described as being very fashionable, but also very silly. They wear tight-fitting clothes that are uncomfortable and impractical. They carry walking sticks that they refuse to let go of, even if they're offered a large sum of money. And they wear tiny hats that they hold in their hands, rather than wearing them on their heads.
The poem goes on to describe the macaronis' obsession with fashion:
You're the fellows that go to the play, and the Opera House, And you're always dressed in the very best of style, And you spend your money freely, and you think you're very grand, And you're always looking out for something new and vile.
The macaronis are portrayed as being very wealthy and extravagant. They go to the theater and the opera, and they spend their money freely on the latest fashion trends. They're always looking for something new and outrageous to wear, even if it's uncomfortable or impractical.
But despite their wealth and fashion sense, the macaronis are also portrayed as being very foolish:
You're the fellows that strut about the streets, And you think you're very fine and very grand, And you're always looking in the glass, and you're always on the go, And you're always talking of the latest brand.
The macaronis are so obsessed with their appearance that they spend all their time looking in mirrors and admiring themselves. They strut around the streets, thinking that they're very important and impressive. But in reality, they're just foolish and vain.
The poem ends with a warning to the macaronis:
But take my advice, you London Macaronis, And don't be such fools as you have been, For if you don't take care, you'll soon be out of fashion, And then you'll be nowhere, my fine gentlemen.
The poem is a warning to the macaronis that their obsession with fashion will eventually lead to their downfall. If they don't take care, they'll soon be out of fashion and forgotten. The poem is a reminder that fashion is fleeting, and that true style comes from within.
In conclusion, "The Macaronis" is a classic poem by Robert Service that explores the themes of fashion, social status, and vanity. It's a humorous and entertaining poem that pokes fun at the macaronis' obsession with fashion and their foolishness. But it's also a cautionary tale about the dangers of being too focused on external appearances. The poem reminds us that true style comes from within, and that we should never let our obsession with fashion overshadow our inner selves.
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