Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Jaguar" is a poem by English poet Edward James Hughes, commonly known as Ted Hughes. It was first published in 1957 as part of his poetry collection "Hawk in the Rain." The poem is a powerful and vivid portrayal of a jaguar in captivity, and the themes of freedom and instinct run throughout.

Explanation:

The poem describes a jaguar in captivity pacing back and forth in its enclosure, as visitors watch from outside. The jaguar is portrayed as a powerful and majestic creature that exudes a sense of raw energy and danger. The speaker notes how the jaguar seems to be lost in thought and appears to be remembering its past life in the jungle.

Poetic Elements:

• Imagery: Hughes uses vivid and sensory language to create a powerful image of the jaguar in the reader's mind. For example, he describes the jaguar's eyes as "fierce" and "bright," and its movements as "sinuous."
• Personification: The jaguar is personified throughout the poem, as it is given human qualities and characteristics such as the ability to think and remember.
• Theme: The poem explores the theme of captivity and the desire for freedom, as well as the idea of instinct and the natural world.
• Structure: The poem is structured in four stanzas of equal length, each with four lines. The use of enjambment and end-stopped lines gives the poem a sense of momentum and conclusion:

Poem Snippet:

"The apes yawn and adore their fleas in the sun.

The parrots shriek as if they were on fire, or strut

Like cheap tarts to attract the stroller with the nut.

Fatigued with indolence, tiger and lion"

Conclusion:

In "Jaguar," Ted Hughes creates a vivid and powerful image of a jaguar in captivity, using sensory language and personification to convey the animal's raw energy and primal nature. The poem explores themes of freedom and instinct, and invites the reader to consider the implications of keeping wild animals in captivity.