Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bishop Hatto" is a poem written by Robert Southey in 1799, during the Romantic literary movement in England. The poem is based on an old German legend about a cruel bishop who is punished for his sins.

Content:

The poem tells the story of Bishop Hatto, who was known for being greedy and cruel to the poor. When a famine strikes his land, Hatto hoards all the grain for himself and refuses to help the starving people. In retaliation, the people burn down his granaries and Hatto flees to a tower in the middle of the Rhine river.

Thinking he is safe from harm, Hatto begins to gloat over his victory. However, his joy is short-lived when he is besieged by a swarm of rats who have somehow managed to swim across the river to reach him. Hatto tries to escape by boat, but the rats follow him and ultimately devour him alive.

Form:

The poem is written in ballad form, with four-line stanzas and a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The language is simple and accessible, with a rhythm and repetition that make it easy to remember and recite.

Poetic Devices:

Southey uses various poetic devices in the poem, including repetition, alliteration, and metaphor. For example, the repetition of the phrase "they have whetted their teeth against the stones" emphasizes the relentless and savage nature of the rats. The use of alliteration in phrases like "rat-infested river" and "foul rat-plague" adds to the eerie and menacing atmosphere of the poem. The metaphor of the rats as a symbol of divine retribution also adds to the moral message of the poem.

Summary:

Overall, "Bishop Hatto" is a well-crafted poem that skillfully weaves together elements of folklore, morality, and horror. The poem's moral message about the consequences of greed and cruelty is still relevant today, and the simple and accessible language of the ballad form makes it a memorable and effective piece of storytelling.

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