Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Fable" is a poem by Matthew Prior, first published in his 1709 collection of poems, "Poems on Several Occasions." The poem is written in rhyming couplets and tells the story of a young girl who is courted by two suitors, a peacock and a cuckoo. 

The poem "A Fable" tells the story of a young girl who is courted by two suitors, a peacock and a cuckoo. The peacock is proud and boasts of his beauty, while the cuckoo is modest and offers the girl a simple life in the countryside. The girl is initially attracted to the peacock's beauty and charm, but ultimately chooses the cuckoo for his humility and sincerity. The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AA BB CC, etc.), which contribute to its light and playful tone.

The poem is notable for its use of anthropomorphism, a literary device in which animals are given human characteristics. The peacock and the cuckoo are both anthropomorphized, and their respective qualities are personified in their courtship of the young girl. The peacock's pride and vanity are emphasized through his boasting of his beauty and the way he struts about, while the cuckoo's simplicity and sincerity are conveyed through his modesty and his offer of a simple life in the countryside.

The poem can be read as a commentary on the importance of inner qualities over external appearances. The young girl is initially attracted to the peacock's beauty, but ultimately chooses the cuckoo for his sincerity and humility. This theme is emphasized by the poem's use of anthropomorphism, as the peacock's beauty and the cuckoo's simplicity are both portrayed as external characteristics that are ultimately less important than their inner qualities.

In conclusion, "A Fable" is a light and playful poem that tells the story of a young girl who is courted by two suitors, a peacock and a cuckoo. The poem's use of anthropomorphism, personification, and rhyme contribute to its playful and whimsical tone. The poem's themes of the importance of inner qualities over external appearances make it a timeless reflection on human nature and the power of sincerity and humility.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...