Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "On a Chaplain's Nose," Francisco de Quevedo y Villegas turns his wit and observational prowess toward the physical attributes of a chaplain, specifically his overly large nose. The poem is imbued with satire and irony, poking fun not only at the chaplain's pronounced feature but also possibly alluding to the hypocrisy and moral duplicity that clergy were often accused of during Quevedo's time.

The poem opens with a vivid image of the chaplain's nose, likening it to a limb and stating that "A man was hung," referring to how the nose's immense size practically overtakes the person's identity. Quevedo's description almost makes it a caricature, exaggerating the nose to the point where it "seemed an ill-set dial-hand" or "an elephant, whose hose / Is turned the wrong way up." Such comedic exaggerations serve to undermine the chaplain's gravitas, presenting him more as a figure of ridicule than one of reverence.

The humor intensifies as Quevedo employs historical and biblical references, comparing the nose to the "pyramid of Egypt" and stating it exceeds "the Twelve Tribes / Of noses." The mention of the Twelve Tribes could be a subtle critique of religious institutions, pointing out that even those who are supposed to be the epitome of moral and spiritual values can be subjects of ridicule or possess grotesque qualities.

As the poem comes to a close, Quevedo remarks that such a nose would "even spoil the face of Ananias." Ananias is a figure from the Bible, infamous for his dishonesty; this serves as the final jab at the chaplain. The implication here is that the nose is so overwhelming, it could overshadow even historically notorious characters.

So, what does Quevedo achieve with this poem? On the surface, it is a humorous, even somewhat mocking, description of a man's overly large nose. However, given the subject is a chaplain, the poem can be read as a critique of the religious institutions and their representatives, who, despite their lofty claims of spiritual leadership, are still human, flawed, and very much grounded in their physical bodies. Quevedo uses the chaplain's nose as a physical manifestation of these flaws, creating a potent symbol that simultaneously amuses and critiques. Overall, the poem serves as a testament to Quevedo's ability to blend humor, satire, and social commentary-a trifecta that makes this work as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.

POEM TEXT:

Limblike to his own snout, projecting there,

A man was hung. Sufficient it appeared

For all the scribes and pharisees to share,

Protruding like a swordfish from his beard.

It seemed an ill-set dial-hand, a pensile

Alembic, or an elephant, whose hose

Is turned the wrong way up, and less prehensile.

Ovid's was far less noseyfied a nose.

It seems the beak and ram of some huge galley,

Or pyramid of Egypt. The Twelve Tribes

Of noses it exceeds and circumscribes.

For sheer nasality it has no tally.

A nose so fiercely nasel in its bias

Would even spoil the face of Ananias,

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