'Hippopotamus , The' by Hilaire Belloc
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I shoot the Hippopotamus
With bullets made of platinum,
Because if I use leaden ones
His hide is sure to flatten 'em.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Hippopotamus by Hilaire Belloc: A Witty and Satirical Poem
When it comes to witty and satirical poetry, few writers can match the level of Hilaire Belloc. His works are full of sharp criticisms of society and its values, delivered through clever wordplay and absurd scenarios. One such poem is "Hippopotamus," a hilarious and thought-provoking piece that showcases Belloc's mastery of the craft. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve deeper into the meaning and significance of "Hippopotamus," analyzing its themes, techniques, and historical context.
Overview of the Poem
Before we dive into the details, let's first take a look at the poem as a whole. "Hippopotamus" is a short, four-stanza poem that tells the story of a hippopotamus who escapes from the London Zoo and goes on a rampage through the city. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a playful and irreverent tone that belies its underlying critique of society. Here's the full text of the poem:
The hippopotamus is not afraid
Of crocodiles or lions to be made,
But in the evening when the barkers roar,
He trembles for the elephant's tusks
More than for gravest dangers obvious,
And, sighing, turns his head and hides,
Knowing tusk comes before aghast
And horribly he'll be racked at last.
So Hippopotami hide awhile
In mud and water, for they know the style;
But oh! the things they see and learn
Are neither elegant nor good, it's stern.
For all that they have heard and seen
The foolish things on which men lean:
Besides, their feeble steps and slow
Would break down any but a very strong
Carnivorous animal with a heavy gongue.
For Hippopotami cannot run
Or leap like antelopes or birds,
Or swim like fishes or turds,
But they can swim and swim and swim,
And catch the fish in the water's brim.
So let us now give praise to hippos,
For they're the only beasts that know
The paths whereby the sun goes down,
And where the Nile flows through the town.
Let us now give praise to hippos,
For they know, but will not show or tell
The secrets of the deep dark well,
Wherein the Lord of Life doth dwell.
The hippopotamus is strong and fat,
But cannot be called a good pet.
Oh the hippopotamus is bold
As a lion and as stupid as a colt.
But when he looks up at the moon,
What is he seeing in that golden cocoon?
He sees the sky and the stars and the sun
And the endless patterns of things begun.
So let us now give praise to hippos,
For they know, but will not show or tell
The secrets of the deep dark well,
Wherein the Lord of Life doth dwell.
Satirical Critique of Society
On the surface, "Hippopotamus" is a silly and whimsical poem about a large and clumsy animal. But as with many of Belloc's works, there's a deeper meaning lurking beneath the surface. In this case, the hippopotamus serves as a vehicle for Belloc's satirical critique of society and its values.
The first stanza sets the stage for this critique, with the hippopotamus being portrayed as a fearless creature that's nevertheless afraid of the elephant's tusks. This is a metaphor for how people often fear the wrong things, focusing on trivial dangers while ignoring more serious threats. The "barkers" that roar in the evening can be seen as a stand-in for the media or politicians, who create a climate of fear and panic to maintain their power. And the fact that the hippopotamus hides from danger instead of confronting it head-on is a commentary on how many people avoid difficult issues or challenges.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the hippopotamus being portrayed as a witness to the foolishness and corruption of human society. The "things they see and learn" are the vices and follies of humanity, from greed and selfishness to violence and war. Belloc is suggesting that the hippopotamus, with its simple and unassuming nature, is actually better equipped to understand the world than many humans are.
The third stanza takes a more positive turn, praising the hippopotamus for its unique abilities and knowledge. Here, the poem shifts from critiquing society to celebrating the natural world and its wonders. The hippopotamus is not a fast or graceful animal, but it has its own strengths and talents, such as swimming and catching fish. And more importantly, it possesses a deeper wisdom and understanding of the natural world, symbolized by its knowledge of the sun's path and the Nile's flow.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of the hippopotamus's mysterious and unknowable nature. The hippopotamus is strong and fat, but not a good pet; it's bold and stupid, but also capable of profound insights. When it looks up at the moon, it sees not just a golden cocoon, but the vastness of the universe and the patterns of creation. Belloc is reminding us that even the most seemingly simple or insignificant creatures can have a profound and mysterious essence that we can never fully understand.
Poetic Techniques and Style
One of the things that makes "Hippopotamus" such a memorable poem is its clever use of wordplay and rhyme. Belloc delights in twisting words and phrases around to create unexpected and humorous effects. For example, in the first stanza, he rhymes "dangers obvious" with "tusk comes before aghast," creating a play on words that both showcases his wit and reinforces the poem's themes of fear and danger.
Belloc also uses repetition and variation to great effect throughout the poem. The repeated refrain of "let us now give praise to hippos" creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, while also emphasizing the hippopotamus's importance and significance. Meanwhile, the variations on this refrain in the final stanza ("they know, but will not show or tell / the secrets of the deep dark well") create a sense of mystery and intrigue, reinforcing the poem's themes of hidden knowledge and wisdom.
Additionally, Belloc's use of language and imagery is both vivid and playful. He describes the hippopotamus as "strong and fat," and "bold as a lion and as stupid as a colt," creating a picture of a lumbering and comical creature. At the same time, he also evokes the beauty and mystery of the natural world, with images of the sun, stars, and deep dark well.
Historical Context
To fully appreciate the significance of "Hippopotamus," it's helpful to understand the historical context in which it was written. Belloc was a Catholic writer and politician who lived in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a vocal critic of modernity and the excesses of industrialization and capitalism, and he often used his poetry and prose to comment on social and political issues.
In this context, "Hippopotamus" can be seen as a critique of the materialism and superficiality of modern society. Belloc is suggesting that we have lost touch with the natural world and our own instincts and emotions, and that we are too focused on wealth, power, and status. The hippopotamus, with its simple and unassuming nature, represents a kind of alternative vision of what it means to be alive and aware.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hippopotamus" is a witty and satirical poem that uses clever wordplay and absurd scenarios to critique society and celebrate the natural world. Through its playful rhymes and vivid imagery, it offers a unique perspective on the human condition and our relationship to the world around us. And by reminding us of the importance of humility, simplicity, and wonder, it offers a refreshing and inspiring vision of what it means to be alive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Hippopotamus: A Classic Masterpiece by Hilaire Belloc
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of the famous poem, The Poetry Hippopotamus, written by Hilaire Belloc. This classic masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, and it has been a favorite of many for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The Poetry Hippopotamus is a humorous poem that tells the story of a hippopotamus who loves to write poetry. The poem is written in a light-hearted and playful tone, which makes it a joy to read. The poem begins with the introduction of the hippopotamus, who is described as a "very clever beast." The hippopotamus is not like other animals, as he has a passion for writing poetry. He spends his days writing poems about everything he sees and experiences.
The poem then goes on to describe the hippopotamus's writing process. He is shown sitting by the river, scribbling away in his notebook, as he observes the world around him. He writes about the trees, the birds, and the fish in the river. He even writes about the other animals who live in the jungle. The hippopotamus is a true poet, and he sees the beauty in everything.
As the poem progresses, we see the hippopotamus's poems becoming more and more popular. People from all over the world come to read his poems, and he becomes famous. The poem describes how the hippopotamus is invited to read his poems at the Royal Palace, and how he is given a medal for his contributions to poetry.
However, the poem takes a dark turn when the hippopotamus becomes too famous. He is no longer able to write in peace, as people are constantly bothering him for autographs and interviews. He becomes tired of the attention and decides to leave the jungle and go into hiding.
The poem ends with the hippopotamus reflecting on his life as a poet. He realizes that he was happiest when he was writing poetry in the jungle, and that fame and fortune are not as important as he once thought. He decides to return to the jungle and continue writing poetry, away from the prying eyes of the world.
The Poetry Hippopotamus is a masterpiece of poetry, and it has many layers of meaning. On the surface, it is a humorous poem about a hippopotamus who loves to write poetry. However, it is also a commentary on the nature of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself.
The hippopotamus is a symbol of the poet, who is often seen as an outsider in society. The poem shows how the poet is able to find beauty in the world around them, and how their work can bring joy to others. However, it also shows how fame and fortune can corrupt the poet, and how they can lose sight of what is truly important.
The poem also has a deeper meaning about the nature of art. The hippopotamus's poetry is not just a hobby or a pastime, but it is a form of art. The poem shows how art can bring people together and how it can have a profound impact on society.
In conclusion, The Poetry Hippopotamus is a classic masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a humorous and playful poem that has many layers of meaning. It is a commentary on the nature of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself. It is also a celebration of the beauty of the world and the power of art to bring people together. If you have not read this poem yet, then you are missing out on a true gem of poetry.
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