Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sonnet. On the Massacre of Christians in Bulgaria" is a sonnet by Oscar Wilde that reflects his personal reaction to a violent event. The poem's structure follows a modified form of the Petrarchan sonnet, with an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). Instead of the traditional rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD or ABBAABBA CDECDE, Wilde employs the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme which is usually associated with the English or Shakespearean sonnet.

In terms of its content, Wilde's sonnet is an impassioned plea to Christ in light of the massacre of Christians in Bulgaria. In the spring of 1876 in the Bulgarian town of Batak 5,000 men, women and children were brutally murdered by Turkish Ottoman irregulars. The sonnet is filled with pathos and a profound sense of urgency.

The sonnet begins by questioning Christ's existence and resurrection ("CHRIST, dost thou live indeed?"). This is a deeply emotional and spiritual inquiry, revealing the speaker's struggle with faith in the face of such a horrific event. The first four lines are filled with religious references, contemplating the reality of Christ's resurrection and the unwavering faith of Mary Magdalene ("Her / Whose love of thee for all her sin atones?").

In the sestet, Wilde employs strong and disturbing imagery ("the air is horrid with men's groans," "children lie upon the stones") to illustrate the horrors of the massacre.

The poem ends with a plea for Christ to show his power and intervene, lest Islam (symbolized by Mahomet and the Crescent moon) eclipse Christianity. This reflects the religious and political tensions of the time, particularly the conflicts between the Ottoman Empire (Muslim) and the European powers (primarily Christian).

Wilde employs various poetic devices throughout the sonnet. Alliteration is used to create a rhythm and draw attention to certain phrases ("starless night", "bitter wail of pain"). Meanwhile, the use of personification and apostrophe lend an emotional intensity to the poem, highlighting the speaker's desperate plea to a divine figure.

The sonnet provides a potent commentary on religious violence and the role of faith in times of crisis, reflecting Wilde's characteristic engagement with complex moral and societal issues.

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