'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 Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a classic poem that has been appreciated by generations of readers since its publication in 1766. It is a satirical poem that criticizes the irrational behavior of humans and their inability to control their emotions. This interpretation will explore the themes of the poem, its structure, and its poetic devices, to provide a comprehensive analysis of this timeless piece of literature.
Theme
The central theme of "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is the irrationality of human behavior. The poem uses the death of a mad dog as a metaphor for the senseless actions of humans. The dog's madness is a metaphor for the madness of the people who killed it. The poem suggests that humans are prone to irrational behavior, just like the mad dog.
The poem also highlights the theme of the inevitability of fate. The dog's death is predestined, just like the fate of humans. The poem suggests that no matter how hard humans try to control their destiny, they cannot escape the inevitable fate that awaits them.
Structure
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each containing eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The final couplet, with its rhyming words "die" and "eye," provides a fitting conclusion to the poem.
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. This creates a rhythmic quality to the poem, making it easy to read aloud. The regular structure of the poem adds to its satirical tone, as it mirrors the predictable and senseless behavior of humans.
Poetic Devices
The poem uses several poetic devices to create its satirical tone. One such device is irony. The poem's title, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog," suggests that the poem will be a tribute to the dog. However, the poem is anything but a tribute, as it criticizes the people who killed the dog. The irony of the title adds to the poem's satirical tone, highlighting the senselessness of human behavior.
The poem also uses hyperbole to exaggerate the dog's madness. The dog is described as having "foam'd at mouth" and "bit a man in Lincoln green." These descriptions add to the humorous tone of the poem, while also highlighting the irrationality of human behavior.
The poem also uses personification to give the dog a human-like quality. The dog is described as having "a kind of wick'd joy" as it bites the man in green. This personification creates a sense of empathy for the dog, despite its madness, and highlights the senselessness of the people who killed it.
Interpretation
"An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a commentary on the irrational behavior of humans. The poem suggests that humans are prone to irrational behavior, just like the mad dog. The dog's madness is a metaphor for the madness of people, and its death is a result of their senseless actions.
The poem also suggests that humans cannot control their destiny. The dog's death is predestined, just like the fate of all humans. The poem suggests that no matter how hard people try to control their destiny, they cannot escape the inevitable fate that awaits them.
The poem's satirical tone is meant to criticize the irrational behavior of humans. The regular structure of the poem adds to its satirical tone, mirroring the predictable and senseless behavior of humans. The irony of the title adds to the poem's satirical tone, highlighting the senselessness of human behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a timeless poem that comments on the irrational behavior of humans. The poem suggests that humans are prone to irrational behavior, just like the mad dog. The poem also highlights the theme of the inevitability of fate, suggesting that humans cannot control their destiny.
The poem's satirical tone, regular structure, and use of poetic devices add to its powerful commentary on human behavior. The poem's message is still relevant, even after hundreds of years, as it highlights the senselessness of human behavior and the inevitability of fate.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog: A Classic Poem by Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith's "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a satirical poem that tells the story of a mad dog that bites a man, and the man's subsequent death. The poem is written in a humorous and light-hearted tone, but it also has a deeper meaning that is worth exploring.
The poem begins with the description of a mad dog that is roaming the streets. The dog is described as being "foaming at the mouth" and "raving mad." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with dark humor and satire. The dog is seen as a symbol of madness and chaos, and its presence on the streets is a threat to the safety of the people.
The poem then introduces a man who is walking down the street. The man is described as being "stout and bold," but he is no match for the mad dog. The dog attacks the man and bites him, and the man dies soon after. This event is the catalyst for the rest of the poem, as it sets up the satire that follows.
The poem then takes a satirical turn, as Goldsmith uses the death of the man to comment on the state of society. He writes, "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!" This line is a commentary on the way that society often blames the victim for their own misfortune. In this case, the man was blamed for being attacked by the dog, but it was actually the dog that was at fault.
Goldsmith then goes on to describe the reaction of the people to the death of the dog. He writes, "The neighbours, too, and all the town, / In deep concern appeared; / And all cried out, both up and down, / That he had died of fear." This is another commentary on the way that society often reacts to tragedy. Instead of acknowledging the true cause of the dog's death, the people invent a story about the dog dying of fear. This is a way for them to distance themselves from the tragedy and avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.
The poem ends with the lines, "And thus his memory became / A doggrel rhyme for children's fame." This is a commentary on the way that society often trivializes tragedy and turns it into something that can be easily forgotten. The man's death is reduced to a "doggrel rhyme" that is only remembered by children. This is a way for society to avoid dealing with the deeper issues that led to the tragedy in the first place.
In conclusion, "An Elegy On The Death Of A Mad Dog" is a classic poem that uses satire and humor to comment on the state of society. Goldsmith uses the death of the man and the dog to highlight the way that society often blames the victim for their own misfortune, and the way that people react to tragedy by distancing themselves from it. The poem is a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own actions and work to create a society that is free from madness and chaos.
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