'Four Beasts In One- The Homo-Cameleopard' by Edgar Allen Poe
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Chacun a ses vertus.
CREBILLON'S Xerxes.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES is very generally looked upon as the Gog of the prophet Ezekiel. This honor is, however, more properly attributable to Cambyses, the son of Cyrus. And, indeed, the character of the Syrian monarch does by no means stand in need of any adventitious embellishment. His accession to the throne, or rather his usurpation of the sovereignty, a hundred and seventy-one years before the coming of Christ; his attempt to plunder the temple of Diana at Ephesus; his implacable hostility to the Jews; his pollution of the Holy of Holies; and his miserable death at Taba, after a tumultuous reign of eleven years, are circumstances of a prominent kind, and therefore more generally noticed by the historians of his time than the impious, dastardly, cruel, silly, and whimsical achievements which make up the sum total of his private life and reputation.
Let us suppose, gentle reader, that it is now the year of the world three thousand eight hundred and thirty, and let us, for a few minutes, imagine ourselves at that most grotesque habitation of man, the remarkable city of Antioch. To be sure there were, in Syria and other countries, sixteen cities of that appellation, besides the one to which I more particularly allude. But ours is that which went by the name of Antiochia Epidaphne, from its vicinity to the little village of Daphne, where stood a temple to that divinity. It was built (although about this matter there is some dispute) by Seleucus Nicanor, the first king of the country after Alexander the Great, in memory of his father Antiochus, and became immediately the residence of the Syrian monarchy. In the flourishing times of the Roman Empire, it was the ordinary station of the prefect of the eastern provinces; and many of the emperors of the queen city (among whom may be mentioned, especially, Verus and Valens) spent here the greater part of their time. But I perceive we have arrived at the city itself. Let us ascend this battlement, and throw our eyes upon the town and neighboring country.
"What broad and rapid river is that which forces its way, with innumerable falls, through the mountainous wilderness, and finally through the wilderness of buildings?"
That is the Orontes, and it is the only water in sight, with the exception of the Mediterranean, which stretches, like a broad mirror, about twelve miles off to the southward. Every one has seen the Mediterranean; but let me tell you, there are few who have had a peep at Antioch. By few, I mean, few who, like you and me, have had, at the same time, the advantages of a modern education. Therefore cease to regard that sea, and give your whole attention to the mass of houses that lie beneath us. You will remember that it is now the year of the world three thousand eight hundred and thirty. Were it later- for example, were it the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-five, we should be deprived of this extraordinary spectacle. In the nineteenth century Antioch is- that is to say, Antioch will be- in a lamentable state of decay. It will have been, by that time, totally destroyed, at three different periods, by three successive earthquakes. Indeed, to say the truth, what little of its former self may then remain, will be found in so desolate and ruinous a state that the patriarch shall have removed his residence to Damascus. This is well. I see you profit by my advice, and are making the most of your time in inspecting the premises- in
-satisfying your eyes
With the memorials and the things of fame
That most renown this city.-
I beg pardon; I had forgotten that Shakespeare will not flourish for seventeen hundred and fifty years to come. But does not the appearance of Epidaphne justify me in calling it grotesque?
"It is well fortified; and in this respect is as much indebted to nature as to art."
Very true.
"There are a prodigious number of stately palaces."
There are.
"And the numerous temples, sumptuous and magnificent, may bear comparison with the most lauded of antiquity."
All this I must acknowledge. Still there is an infinity of mud huts, and abominable hovels. We cannot help perceiving abundance of filth in every kennel, and, were it not for the over-powering fumes of idolatrous incense, I have no doubt we should find a most intolerable stench. Did you ever behold streets so insufferably narrow, or houses so miraculously tall? What gloom their shadows cast upon the ground! It is well the swinging lamps in those endless colonnades are kept burning throughout the day; we should otherwise have the darkness of Egypt in the time of her desolation.
"It is certainly a strange place! What is the meaning of yonder singular building? See! it towers above all others, and lies to the eastward of what I take to be the royal palace."
That is the new Temple of the Sun, who is adored in Syria under the title of Elah Gabalah. Hereafter a very notorious Roman Emperor will institute this worship in Rome, and thence derive a cognomen, Heliogabalus. I dare say you would like to take a peep at the divinity of the temple. You need not look up at the heavens; his Sunship is not there- at least not the Sunship adored by the Syrians. That deity will be found in the interior of yonder building. He is worshipped under the figure of a large stone pillar terminating at the summit in a cone or pyramid, whereby is denoted Fire.
"Hark- behold!- who can those ridiculous beings be, half naked, with their faces painted, shouting and gesticulating to the rabble?"
Some few are mountebanks. Others more particularly belong to the race of philosophers. The greatest portion, however- those especially who belabor the populace with clubs- are the principal courtiers of the palace, executing as in duty bound, some laudable comicality of the king's.
"But what have we here? Heavens! the town is swarming with wild beasts! How terrible a spectacle!- how dangerous a peculiarity!"
Terrible, if you please; but not in the least degree dangerous. Each animal if you will take the pains to observe, is following, very quietly, in the wake of its master. Some few, to be sure, are led with a rope about the neck, but these are chiefly the lesser or timid species. The lion, the tiger, and the leopard are entirely without restraint. They have been trained without difficulty to their present profession, and attend upon their respective owners in the capacity of valets-de-chambre. It is true, there are occasions when Nature asserts her violated dominions;- but then the devouring of a man-at-arms, or the throttling of a consecrated bull, is a circumstance of too little moment to be more than hinted at in Epidaphne.
"But what extraordinary tumult do I hear? Surely this is a loud noise even for Antioch! It argues some commotion of unusual interest."
Yes- undoubtedly. The king has ordered some novel spectacle- some gladiatorial exhibition at the hippodrome- or perhaps the massacre of the Scythian prisoners- or the conflagration of his new palace- or the tearing down of a handsome temple- or, indeed, a bonfire of a few Jews. The uproar increases. Shouts of laughter ascend the skies. The air becomes dissonant with wind instruments, and horrible with clamor of a million throats. Let us descend, for the love of fun, and see what is going on! This way- be careful! Here we are in the principal street, which is called the street of Timarchus. The sea of people is coming this way, and we shall find a difficulty in stemming the tide. They are pouring through the alley of Heraclides, which leads directly from the palace;- therefore the king is most probably among the rioters. Yes;- I hear the shouts of the herald proclaiming his approach in the pompous phraseology of the East. We shall have a glimpse of his person as he passes by the temple of Ashimah. Let us ensconce ourselves in the vestibule of the sanctuary; he will be here anon. In the meantime let us survey this image. What is it? Oh! it is the god Ashimah in proper person. You perceive, however, that he is neither a lamb, nor a goat, nor a satyr, neither has he much resemblance to the Pan of the Arcadians. Yet all these appearances have been given- I beg pardon- will be given- by the learned of future ages, to the Ashimah of the Syrians. Put on your spectacles, and tell me what it is. What is it?
"Bless me! it is an ape!"
True- a baboon; but by no means the less a deity. His name is a derivation of the Greek Simia- what great fools are antiquarians! But see!- see!- yonder scampers a ragged little urchin. Where is he going? What is he bawling about? What does he say? Oh! he says the king is coming in triumph; that he is dressed in state; that he has just finished putting to death, with his own hand, a thousand chained Israelitish prisoners! For this exploit the ragamuffin is lauding him to the skies. Hark! here comes a troop of a similar description. They have made a Latin hymn upon the valor of the king, and are singing it as they go:
Mille, mille, mille,
Mille, mille, mille,
Decollavimus, unus homo!
Mille, mille, mille, mille, decollavimus!
Mille, mille, mille,
Vivat qui mille mille occidit!
Tantum vini habet nemo
Quantum sanguinis effudit!*
Which may be thus paraphrased:
A thousand, a thousand, a thousand,
A thousand, a thousand, a thousand,
We, with one warrior, have slain!
A thousand, a thousand, a thousand, a thousand.
Sing a thousand over again!
Soho!- let us sing
Long life to our king,
Who knocked over a thousand so fine!
Soho!- let us roar,
He has given us more
Red gallons of gore
Than all Syria can furnish of wine!
* Flavius Vospicus says, that the hymn here introduced was sung by the rabble upon the occasion of Aurelian, in the Sarmatic war, having slain, with his own hand, nine hundred and fifty of the enemy.
"Do you hear that flourish of trumpets?"
Yes: the king is coming! See! the people are aghast with admiration, and lift up their eyes to the heavens in reverence. He comes;- he is coming;- there he is!
"Who?- where?- the king?- do not behold him- cannot say that I perceive him."
Then you must be blind.
"Very possible. Still I see nothing but a tumultuous mob of idiots and madmen, who are busy in prostrating themselves before a gigantic cameleopard, and endeavoring to obtain a kiss of the animal's hoofs. See! the beast has very justly kicked one of the rabble over- and another- and another- and another. Indeed, I cannot help admiring the animal for the excellent use he is making of his feet."
Rabble, indeed!- why these are the noble and free citizens of Epidaphne! Beasts, did you say?- take care that you are not overheard. Do you not perceive that the animal has the visage of a man? Why, my dear sir, that cameleopard is no other than Antiochus Epiphanes, Antiochus the Illustrious, King of Syria, and the most potent of all the autocrats of the East! It is true, that he is entitled, at times, Antiochus Epimanes- Antiochus the madman- but that is because all people have not the capacity to appreciate his merits. It is also certain that he is at present ensconced in the hide of a beast, and is doing his best to play the part of a cameleopard; but this is done for the better sustaining his dignity as king. Besides, the monarch is of gigantic stature, and the dress is therefore neither unbecoming nor over large. We may, however, presume he would not have adopted it but for some occasion of especial state. Such, you will allow, is the massacre of a thousand Jews. With how superior a dignity the monarch perambulates on all fours! His tail, you perceive, is held aloft by his two principal concubines, Elline and Argelais; and his whole appearance would be infinitely prepossessing, were it not for the protuberance of his eyes, which will certainly start out of his head, and the queer color of his face, which has become nondescript from the quantity of wine he has swallowed. Let us follow him to the hippodrome, whither he is proceeding, and listen to the song of triumph which he is commencing:
Who is king but Epiphanes?
Say- do you know?
Who is king but Epiphanes?
Bravo!- bravo!
There is none but Epiphanes,
No- there is none:
So tear down the temples,
And put out the sun!
Well and strenuously sung! The populace are hailing him 'Prince of Poets,' as well as 'Glory of the East,' 'Delight of the Universe,' and 'Most Remarkable of Cameleopards.' They have encored his effusion, and do you hear?- he is singing it over again. When he arrives at the hippodrome, he will be crowned with the poetic wreath, in anticipation of his victory at the approaching Olympics.
"But, good Jupiter! what is the matter in the crowd behind us?"
Behind us, did you say?- oh! ah!- I perceive. My friend, it is well that you spoke in time. Let us get into a place of safety as soon as possible. Here!- let us conceal ourselves in the arch of this aqueduct, and I will inform you presently of the origin of the commotion. It has turned out as I have been anticipating. The singular appearance of the cameleopard and the head of a man, has, it seems, given offence to the notions of propriety entertained, in general, by the wild animals domesticated in the city. A mutiny has been the result; and, as is usual upon such occasions, all human efforts will be of no avail in quelling the mob. Several of the Syrians have already been devoured; but the general voice of the four-footed patriots seems to be for eating up the cameleopard. 'The Prince of Poets,' therefore, is upon his hinder legs, running for his life. His courtiers have left him in the lurch, and his concubines have followed so excellent an example. 'Delight of the Universe,' thou art in a sad predicament! 'Glory of the East,' thou art in danger of mastication! Therefore never regard so piteously thy tail; it will undoubtedly be draggled in the mud, and for this there is no help. Look not behind thee, then, at its unavoidable degradation; but take courage, ply thy legs with vigor, and scud for the hippodrome! Remember that thou art Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus the Illustrious!- also 'Prince of Poets,' 'Glory of the East,' 'Delight of the Universe,' and 'Most Remarkable of Cameleopards!' Heavens! what a power of speed thou art displaying! What a capacity for leg-bail thou art developing! Run, Prince!- Bravo, Epiphanes! Well done, Cameleopard!- Glorious Antiochus!- He runs!- he leaps!- he flies! Like an arrow from a catapult he approaches the hippodrome! He leaps!- he shrieks!- he is there! This is well; for hadst thou, 'Glory of the East,' been half a second longer in reaching the gates of the Amphitheatre, there is not a bear's cub in Epidaphne that would not have had a nibble at thy carcase. Let us be off- let us take our departure!- for we shall find our delicate modern ears unable to endure the vast uproar which is about to commence in celebration of the king's escape! Listen! it has already commenced. See!- the whole town is topsy-turvy.
"Surely this is the most populous city of the East! What a wilderness of people! what a jumble of all ranks and ages! what a multiplicity of sects and nations! what a variety of costumes! what a Babel of languages! what a screaming of beasts! what a tinkling of instruments! what a parcel of philosophers!"
Come let us be off.
"Stay a moment! I see a vast hubbub in the hippodrome; what is the meaning of it, I beseech you?"
That?- oh, nothing! The noble and free citizens of Epidaphne being, as they declare, well satisfied of the faith, valor, wisdom, and divinity of their king, and having, moreover, been eye-witnesses of his late superhuman agility, do think it no more than their duty to invest his brows (in addition to the poetic crown) with the wreath of victory in the footrace- a wreath which it is evident he must obtain at the celebration of the next Olympiad, and which, therefore, they now give him in advance.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Four Beasts In One - The Homo-Cameleopard
A Critique of Edgar Allen Poe's Gothic Tale
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a camel and a leopard combined into one creature? What if that creature were also a human? Edgar Allen Poe explores this fascinating concept in his short story "Four Beasts In One - The Homo-Cameleopard." In this literary analysis, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and meanings behind this classic Gothic tale.
Summary
The story begins with a narrator describing a carnival that has come to town. He and his friend decide to attend, and they are drawn to a tent that promises to showcase "the most wonderful curiosity in the world." Inside, they find a large cage with four animals - a lion, a tiger, a leopard, and a camel. But to their surprise, the animals suddenly merge together to form one monstrous creature - the Homo-Cameleopard.
The creature is described as having the body of a camel, the spots of a leopard, and the head of a human. It speaks to the crowd, proclaiming itself to be the "king of all animals." The narrator and his friend are initially fascinated, but as the creature becomes more aggressive and violent, they begin to fear for their lives. In the end, the Homo-Cameleopard breaks free from its cage and rampages through the carnival, causing chaos and destruction.
Themes
One of the main themes in "Four Beasts In One" is the danger of curiosity. The narrator and his friend are drawn to the carnival and to the tent that promises to showcase the "most wonderful curiosity in the world." But their curiosity leads them down a dangerous path, as they witness the terrifying transformation of the animals into the Homo-Cameleopard. This theme is a common one in Poe's work - he often explores the idea of the dangers of exploring the unknown or the taboo.
Another theme in the story is the idea of the monstrous. The Homo-Cameleopard is a grotesque and frightening creature - it is a combination of four animals that do not belong together. Its appearance is unsettling, and its behavior is violent and destructive. This theme ties into the Gothic tradition of exploring the dark and the macabre. Poe's writing often features monstrous characters or creatures that are both terrifying and fascinating.
Symbols
The Homo-Cameleopard can be seen as a symbol of the dangers of human ambition. The creature is a result of an attempt to combine different animals into one, and its appearance and behavior are unnatural and dangerous. This can be seen as a warning against the dangers of human attempts to control or manipulate nature. The Homo-Cameleopard represents the danger of playing God.
The cage that the Homo-Cameleopard is held in can also be seen as a symbol. The cage represents confinement and restriction - the creature is not meant to be contained, and its escape leads to chaos and destruction. The cage can also be seen as a symbol of the human desire to control and dominate. The carnival owners want to showcase the creature and make money off of it, but their desire for control leads to their downfall.
Analysis
"Four Beasts In One" is a classic example of Gothic literature. Poe uses vivid and intense imagery to create a sense of terror and unease. The description of the Homo-Cameleopard is unsettling and grotesque, and the creature's behavior is violent and unpredictable. The story also features a sense of foreboding and impending danger, as the narrator and his friend sense that something is not quite right with the carnival and the creature they are witnessing.
The story can also be seen as a commentary on the dangers of human ambition and the desire for control. The Homo-Cameleopard represents the dangers of trying to play God and manipulate nature, and the carnival owners' desire for control leads to their downfall. This theme is a common one in Gothic literature - the idea that humans should not attempt to control or manipulate the natural world, as it will inevitably lead to disaster.
Conclusion
"Four Beasts In One - The Homo-Cameleopard" is a chilling and fascinating Gothic tale. The story explores themes of curiosity, the monstrous, and the dangers of human ambition. Poe's writing is vivid and intense, and his use of symbolism and imagery creates a sense of terror and unease. The story is a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of attempting to control or manipulate nature. Overall, "Four Beasts In One" is a classic example of Gothic literature and a must-read for fans of horror and the macabre.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Homo-Cameleopard: A Masterpiece of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most celebrated writers in the history of literature. His works have been studied, analyzed, and admired by scholars and readers alike for over a century. Among his many masterpieces, "The Homo-Cameleopard" stands out as a unique and fascinating piece of prose that showcases Poe's genius and creativity.
"The Homo-Cameleopard" is a short story that was first published in 1839 in Burton's Gentleman's Magazine. The story is narrated by an unnamed protagonist who witnesses a strange and surreal event in the streets of Paris. The protagonist sees a man riding on the back of a camel, but the man's body is that of a leopard. The creature is a hybrid of a human, a camel, and a leopard, hence the title "The Homo-Cameleopard."
The story is divided into two parts. In the first part, the protagonist describes the creature and its surroundings in vivid detail. He notes the reactions of the people around him, who are equally shocked and bewildered by the sight. The creature is described as a "monstrosity" and a "prodigy," and its appearance is both fascinating and repulsive. The protagonist is drawn to the creature's strange beauty, but he is also repelled by its unnaturalness.
In the second part of the story, the protagonist reflects on the meaning of the creature and its significance. He sees the creature as a symbol of the human desire for novelty and sensation. He notes that the creature is a product of the "fancy and caprice" of its creator, who sought to create something new and exciting. The protagonist also sees the creature as a reflection of the human tendency to blur the boundaries between different species and to create new hybrids and mutations.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Homo-Cameleopard" is its surreal and dreamlike quality. The story is filled with vivid and bizarre imagery, such as the "multitudinous and gyrating shadows" that surround the creature and the "wild and ghastly vivacity" of its movements. The story also has a sense of unreality and disorientation, as if the events are taking place in a dream or a hallucination.
The story's surrealism is a hallmark of Poe's writing, and it reflects his interest in the subconscious and the irrational. Poe was fascinated by the workings of the human mind and the ways in which our deepest fears and desires can manifest themselves in our dreams and fantasies. "The Homo-Cameleopard" is a prime example of Poe's exploration of the subconscious and the surreal.
Another notable aspect of "The Homo-Cameleopard" is its use of symbolism. The creature is a powerful symbol of the human desire for novelty and sensation, as well as the human tendency to blur the boundaries between different species. The creature is also a symbol of the dangers of unchecked imagination and creativity, as it represents the extreme consequences of pursuing novelty and sensation at all costs.
The story's use of symbolism is typical of Poe's writing, as he often used symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes. Poe was a master of symbolism, and his works are filled with rich and complex symbols that require careful analysis and interpretation.
In conclusion, "The Homo-Cameleopard" is a masterpiece of Edgar Allan Poe's writing. It showcases his genius and creativity, as well as his fascination with the subconscious and the irrational. The story's surrealism, symbolism, and vivid imagery make it a unique and fascinating piece of literature that continues to captivate readers today.
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