'The Last Decalogue' by Arthur Hugh Clough

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Thou shalt have one God only;-who
Would be at the expense of two?
No graven images may be
Worshipped, except the currency:
Swear not at all; for, for thy curse
Thine enemy is none the worse:
At church on Sunday to attend
Will serve to keep the world thy friend:
Honour thy parents; that is, all
From whom advancement may befall:
Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive
Officiously to keep alive:
Do not adultery commit;
Advantage rarely comes of it:
Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,
When 'tis so lucrative to cheat:
Bear not false witness; let the lie
Have time on its own wings to fly:
Thou shalt not covet, but tradition
Approves all forms of competition.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Last Decalogue by Arthur Hugh Clough: A Critical Analysis

The Last Decalogue is a poem written by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1849. The poem is a satirical take on the Ten Commandments from the viewpoint of a skeptic who questions the validity of these moral laws. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, style, and meaning of the poem.

Theme

The theme of the poem is the hypocrisy of religious morality. Clough uses a sarcastic tone to highlight the irony of people who claim to be virtuous, yet their actions contradict their beliefs. He pokes fun at the Ten Commandments by suggesting that they are impractical and that people only follow them to avoid consequences.

The poem begins with the first commandment, "Thou shalt have one God only," and Clough immediately challenges this notion by saying, "Who is this God thou bowest thyself to serve?" He questions why people worship a God they cannot see or touch and points out the absurdity of following a commandment that is impossible to fulfill.

Clough's skepticism extends to the rest of the commandments, and he points out the hypocrisy of people who claim to be virtuous. He suggests that people follow the commandments not because they believe in them, but because they fear punishment.

Style

Clough's style is satirical and sardonic. He uses humor and irony to convey his message and to challenge the reader's beliefs. He employs rhetorical questions to engage the reader and to encourage them to think critically about the commandments.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's musicality and makes it memorable.

Clough's use of language is simple and direct, which makes the poem accessible to a wide audience. However, his humor can be subtle and requires the reader to pay attention to fully appreciate it.

Interpretation

Clough's poem is a critique of religious morality and the hypocrisy of those who claim to be virtuous. He challenges the idea that following the Ten Commandments is the only way to live a moral life and suggests that people should be guided by their own conscience instead.

Clough's skepticism is not limited to religion, but extends to all forms of authority. He questions why people follow rules and laws blindly without questioning their validity. He encourages the reader to think critically and to challenge the status quo.

The poem can also be interpreted as a call to action. Clough suggests that people should live their lives based on their own beliefs and values, rather than blindly following the rules of society. He encourages people to be true to themselves and to question authority.

Conclusion

The Last Decalogue is a satirical take on the Ten Commandments and a critique of religious morality. Clough challenges the validity of these moral laws and highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to be virtuous. His style is satirical and sardonic, and he uses humor and irony to convey his message. The poem encourages the reader to think critically and to question authority, and it can be interpreted as a call to action. The Last Decalogue is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Last Decalogue: A Timeless Poem by Arthur Hugh Clough

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and thoughts that are often difficult to express in words. It can be a medium to convey complex ideas and philosophies in a simple yet profound manner. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Last Decalogue" by Arthur Hugh Clough. Written in the mid-19th century, this poem is a satirical take on the Ten Commandments and the hypocrisy of the society of that time.

The poem begins with the line, "Thou shalt have one God only; who would be at the expense of two?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a critique of the religious beliefs of the society. Clough is questioning the idea of monotheism and the concept of a single God. He is suggesting that having only one God is a luxury that not everyone can afford. The phrase "who would be at the expense of two?" implies that having two Gods would be too expensive, and hence, people should settle for one. This line is a subtle commentary on the economic and social disparities of the society, where only the rich could afford to have one God.

The second line of the poem reads, "No graven images." This line is a direct reference to the second commandment, which prohibits the worship of idols. Clough is mocking the idea of worshipping idols and questioning the logic behind it. He is suggesting that the society is blindly following the commandments without questioning their validity. The use of the word "graven" is significant as it implies that the images are carved or engraved, which is a time-consuming process. Clough is questioning the effort and resources that are being wasted in creating these idols.

The third line of the poem reads, "No taking God's name in vain." This line is a reference to the third commandment, which prohibits the use of God's name in vain. Clough is questioning the hypocrisy of the society, which claims to be religious but uses God's name in vain. He is suggesting that people are using God's name to justify their actions, even if they are immoral or unethical. The use of the word "vain" is significant as it implies that the society is using God's name for their own selfish purposes.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The Sabbath keep thou holy." This line is a reference to the fourth commandment, which requires people to keep the Sabbath day holy. Clough is questioning the idea of a holy day and suggesting that every day should be holy. He is implying that people should not wait for a specific day to be good or do good deeds. The use of the word "keep" is significant as it implies that people are treating the Sabbath day as a task or a duty, rather than a day of rest and reflection.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Honour thy father and thy mother." This line is a reference to the fifth commandment, which requires people to honour their parents. Clough is questioning the idea of blind obedience and suggesting that people should question their parents' authority. He is implying that parents are not always right and that children should have the freedom to make their own choices. The use of the word "honour" is significant as it implies that people are blindly following their parents' wishes, without questioning their validity.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not kill." This line is a reference to the sixth commandment, which prohibits killing. Clough is questioning the idea of violence and suggesting that people should find peaceful solutions to their problems. He is implying that killing is not the solution to any problem and that people should learn to live in harmony. The use of the word "kill" is significant as it implies that people are taking extreme measures to solve their problems.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This line is a reference to the seventh commandment, which prohibits adultery. Clough is questioning the idea of fidelity and suggesting that people should have the freedom to love who they want. He is implying that the society is imposing its moral values on people and that people should have the freedom to make their own choices. The use of the word "adultery" is significant as it implies that people are being judged for their sexual preferences.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not steal." This line is a reference to the eighth commandment, which prohibits stealing. Clough is questioning the idea of ownership and suggesting that people should share their resources. He is implying that the society is based on the concept of ownership, which creates economic disparities. The use of the word "steal" is significant as it implies that people are taking what does not belong to them.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not bear false witness." This line is a reference to the ninth commandment, which prohibits lying. Clough is questioning the idea of truth and suggesting that people should question the validity of the truth. He is implying that the society is based on the concept of truth, which is subjective. The use of the word "false" is significant as it implies that people are lying to protect their own interests.

The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "Thou shalt not covet." This line is a reference to the tenth commandment, which prohibits coveting. Clough is questioning the idea of desire and suggesting that people should be content with what they have. He is implying that the society is based on the concept of desire, which creates greed and envy. The use of the word "covet" is significant as it implies that people are desiring what does not belong to them.

In conclusion, "The Last Decalogue" is a timeless poem that critiques the religious and moral values of the society. Clough is questioning the validity of the Ten Commandments and suggesting that people should question their authority. He is implying that the society is based on the concept of ownership, desire, and truth, which creates economic and social disparities. The use of satire and irony makes the poem a powerful commentary on the human condition. It is a reminder that we should question our beliefs and values and strive for a more just and equitable society.

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