Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Petition of the Orangemen of Ireland" written in 1826 by Thomas Moore is a satirical poem addressing the sectarian conflicts in Ireland, specifically the Orangemen, who were members of a Protestant fraternal organization called the Orange Order. The poem presents the Orangemen's perspective in a mock petition to the people of England, highlighting the divisions between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Ireland.

In the poem, the Orangemen are portrayed as lamenting their inability to harm the Catholics (who are implied to constitute the majority of the Irish population). Moore is poking fun at the Orangemen's sense of entitlement to perpetrate violence and maintain control over the Catholic population. This control is largely derived from their political and economic advantages, often granted by English rule.

Moore uses the poem to criticize the inhumanity and absurdity of sectarian violence, as well as the notion that laws often serve the interests of the few rather than the many. He presents the Orangemen as hypocritical, hating and causing harm to those who subscribe to different beliefs, while at the same time expecting support and protection from England.

The poem refers to Peel and Eldon, who were significant political figures in England during Moore's time. Sir Robert Peel was a Conservative Prime Minister known for his role in the reformation of the penal code and the establishment of modern policing in Britain. John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, served as Lord Chancellor for several years and was a prominent conservative legal figure. The mention of these figures implies a critique of their policies towards Ireland.

Moore cleverly uses humor and irony in this poem to critique the violent conflict driven by religious differences, pointing out the senselessness of such disputes. He also criticizes the political manipulation and exploitation that exacerbate these conflicts. The use of light-hearted verse to deal with such a serious subject underscores the absurdity of the situation and the need for change.

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