Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Beggar Woman" is a poem by William King that tells the story of a beggar woman who uses her appearance and her story to manipulate men into giving her money. The poem is written in a satirical and humorous style, and uses irony and exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of the woman's actions.

The poem begins with the beggar woman approaching a man and asking him for money. The man is initially hesitant to give her anything, but the woman uses her appearance and her story to guilt him into giving her money.

As the poem progresses, the woman continues to manipulate different men using the same tactics. The speaker of the poem, who is observing the woman's actions, notes that she is very skilled at what she does, and that she is able to extract money from even the most reluctant and skeptical men.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses irony and exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of the woman's actions, and to criticize the men who fall for her manipulations. The poem suggests that the woman is not truly in need, but is rather using her appearance and her story to take advantage of the kindness and generosity of others.

Overall, "The Beggar Woman" is a satirical and humorous poem that uses irony and exaggeration to criticize the manipulation and deceit that is sometimes present in human interactions. Its message is timeless and universal, and its language and imagery are both engaging and evocative.

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