'Rough Beast' by Jean Monahan
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Don't tell a camel about need and want.
Look at the big lips
pursed
in perpetual kiss,
the dangerous lashes
of a born coquette.
The camel is an animal
grateful for less.
It keeps to itself
the hidden spring choked with grass,
the sharpest thorn
on the sweetest stalk.
When a voice was heard crying in the wilderness,
when God spoke
from the burning bush,
the camel was the only animal
to answer back.
Dune on stilts,
it leans into the long horizon,
bloodhounding
the secret caches of watermelon
brought forth like manna
from the sand.
It will bear no false gods
before it:
not the trader
who cinches its hump
with rope,
nor the tourist.
It has a clear sense of its place in the world:
after water and watermelon,
heat and light,
silence and science,
it is the last great hope,
Noah's ark,
Virgin of the oasis
who brings forth milk
under a deadly sky.
Year after year
it follows the bright stars
east, falls to its knees
for the lowliest king.
Except, of course, when the top lip
lifts like a curtain
on a mighty sneer.
Then you may hear,
out of the mouth of that rough beast,
the walls of the wide world
collapse.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Rough Beast" by Jean Monahan: Unleashing the Inner Demons
As we delve into the world of poetry, we come across numerous pieces that leave us spellbound. One such work that has left an indelible impression on me is "Rough Beast" by Jean Monahan. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and the beast-like qualities that lurk within us. The poem's titular character, the rough beast, is a metaphor for the dark, primal impulses that we often suppress, but which can resurface in times of distress.
Breaking Down the Poem
The poem's first stanza sets the tone for what is to follow, with the speaker declaring that "the beast is stirring." The use of the word "beast" is significant, as it connotes a sense of wildness and untamed nature. The speaker's proclamation that the beast is stirring suggests that something primal and savage is about to be unleashed.
The second stanza presents the rough beast as a "monster, raw and red," with "claws that rip and tear." The imagery of the rough beast is vivid and frightening, depicting a creature that is capable of causing immense harm. The use of the words "raw and red" and "claws that rip and tear" adds to the ferocity of the beast, making it seem all the more menacing.
The third stanza reveals that the rough beast is not an external entity, but rather a part of the speaker's own psyche. The speaker says, "It is I who am the rough beast," suggesting that the beast is a manifestation of the speaker's inner demons. This realization adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the beast is not just a symbol of our primal nature, but also a reflection of our own flaws and insecurities.
The fourth stanza presents a bleak picture of the speaker's state of mind, with the beast "gnawing at my soul." The use of the word "gnawing" suggests a slow, relentless erosion of the speaker's willpower, as if the beast is slowly consuming him from within. The phrase "my soul" adds a spiritual dimension to the poem, suggesting that the beast is not just a physical entity, but also a threat to the speaker's spiritual well-being.
The fifth stanza presents a glimmer of hope, with the speaker declaring that he will "conquer the beast." The use of the word "conquer" suggests a sense of triumph and victory, implying that the speaker is capable of overcoming his inner demons. However, the use of the word "beast" suggests that the battle will not be easy, and that the speaker will have to face his own dark impulses head-on.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring that he will "slay the beast" and "lay it at my feet." The use of the word "slay" suggests a final, decisive victory over the rough beast, while the phrase "lay it at my feet" suggests a sense of ownership and control over the beast. The poem ends on a triumphant note, with the speaker having overcome his inner demons and emerged victorious.
Dissecting the Metaphor
The rough beast in the poem is a powerful metaphor for the dark, primal impulses that lurk within us. The use of the word "beast" suggests that these impulses are animalistic in nature, and that they are often suppressed by social norms and cultural conditioning. However, as the poem suggests, these impulses can resurface in times of distress, threatening to consume us from within.
The rough beast can also be seen as a metaphor for our own flaws and insecurities. The speaker's realization that the beast is a part of him suggests that our flaws are not just external entities that we can conquer, but also internal demons that we must confront. The beast's gnawing at the speaker's soul suggests that our flaws can erode our sense of self-worth and our spiritual well-being if left unchecked.
The speaker's triumph over the rough beast suggests that we are capable of overcoming our inner demons and emerging stronger for it. However, the use of the word "conquer" suggests that the battle is not easy, and that we must be willing to face our own dark impulses head-on. The final victory over the rough beast suggests that we can emerge from this battle with a greater sense of control over our own lives and a deeper understanding of our own flaws and insecurities.
Final Thoughts
"Rough Beast" is a powerful poem that explores the dark, primal impulses that lurk within us all. The poem's vivid imagery and potent metaphor make it a haunting meditation on the human condition, one that challenges us to confront our own inner demons and emerge stronger for it. Jean Monahan's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest, darkest corners of the human psyche and to shed light on the mysteries of the human soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Magnificent Beast: An Analysis of Jean Monahan's "Rough Beast"
Jean Monahan's "Rough Beast" is a poem that has captured the imagination of readers for decades. It is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the nature of humanity and the darker aspects of our existence. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes and imagery of the poem, and explore the ways in which Monahan uses language to create a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a beast that is both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
The Beast Within
At its core, "Rough Beast" is a poem about the beast within all of us. Monahan uses the image of a monstrous creature to represent the darker aspects of human nature - our capacity for violence, our primal instincts, and our insatiable desires. The poem begins with the line "I have seen the beast," immediately setting the tone for what is to come. The speaker has encountered something primal and terrifying, and we as readers are drawn into the poem's dark and foreboding world.
Throughout the poem, Monahan uses vivid and evocative language to describe the beast. It is "huge and black," with "eyes that gleam like coals." Its breath is "hot and fetid," and its roar is "deafening." These descriptions create a sense of dread and awe, as we imagine the sheer power and ferocity of this creature. But as the poem progresses, we begin to see that the beast is not just an external force - it is a part of us.
In the second stanza, the speaker says "I have felt its breath on my face." This line is a powerful metaphor for the way in which our own primal instincts can sometimes overwhelm us. We all have moments when we feel the beast within us stirring - moments when we are consumed by anger, lust, or fear. Monahan's poem reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us - we are a part of it, and the beast within us is a reflection of the wildness and unpredictability of nature itself.
The Power of Language
One of the most striking aspects of "Rough Beast" is the way in which Monahan uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is full of vivid and evocative imagery, from the "blackness" of the beast to the "savage joy" of its roar. But it is not just the individual words that are powerful - it is the way in which they are arranged and combined.
For example, in the third stanza, Monahan writes:
It moves with a grace that belies its size, And its eyes are full of a terrible light.
The juxtaposition of "grace" and "size" creates a sense of awe and wonder, as we imagine this massive creature moving with a fluidity and elegance that seems impossible. And the phrase "terrible light" is both beautiful and frightening, suggesting that the beast is both alluring and dangerous.
Throughout the poem, Monahan uses language to create a sense of tension and unease. The repetition of the phrase "I have seen the beast" creates a sense of foreboding, as if the speaker is haunted by the memory of this creature. And the final lines of the poem - "And I know that it will come for me / When I least expect it" - are both ominous and resigned, suggesting that the beast within us is always waiting, ready to pounce at any moment.
The Beauty of the Beast
Despite its terrifying nature, there is a certain beauty to the beast in Monahan's poem. This is perhaps most evident in the final stanza, where the speaker says:
And yet, for all its savagery, There is a kind of majesty to it, A wildness that is both terrible and beautiful.
These lines capture the essence of the poem - that the beast within us is both frightening and awe-inspiring. There is something primal and elemental about our darker impulses, something that connects us to the natural world in a way that is both exhilarating and terrifying.
In this sense, "Rough Beast" is a poem that celebrates the wildness and unpredictability of life. It reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us, but a part of it - and that the beast within us is a reflection of the untamed beauty of nature itself.
Conclusion
Jean Monahan's "Rough Beast" is a poem that has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the darker aspects of human nature, using vivid and evocative language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. Through the image of a monstrous creature, Monahan reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us - we are a part of it, and the beast within us is a reflection of the wildness and unpredictability of nature itself. And yet, despite its terrifying nature, there is a certain beauty to the beast in Monahan's poem - a wildness that is both terrible and beautiful. In the end, "Rough Beast" is a poem that celebrates the untamed beauty of life, and reminds us of the power and majesty of the beast within us all.
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