Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Jackdaw of Rheims" is a humorous poem by Richard Harris Barham, an English author and poet. The poem was published as part of Barham's collection of humorous and satirical poems titled "The Ingoldsby Legends" in 1840.

Explanation:

"The Jackdaw of Rheims" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a jackdaw who steals a cardinal's ring and is subsequently made a saint. The poem is set in the French city of Rheims and is told in a mock-medieval style.

In the poem, the jackdaw is punished for stealing the cardinal's ring by having his feathers plucked out and being paraded through the streets. However, when the cardinal realizes that the jackdaw has been wearing the ring in his beak out of respect, he forgives the bird and gives him back the ring. The jackdaw is subsequently made a saint by the pope and is celebrated throughout the land.

Barham's language is rich and poetic, with a humorous and lighthearted tone. The poem is a celebration of human folly and the enduring power of good humor.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of 18 stanzas with varying numbers of lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB.
• Imagery: Barham uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a fantastical and humorous atmosphere. Examples include "the winking lights on the steeple-tops," "the cards were dealt, the dice were thrown," and "the friars with their cowls and their sandals."
• Humor: The poem uses humor, with puns and wordplay used to create a lighthearted tone. Examples include "he'd bawl and he'd curse, so they gave him for worse," "they stole every feather he had on his back," and "he scarce had got into his nest, when out there popped the cardinal's crest."
• Satire: The poem is a satire of religious and political authority, with the jackdaw elevated to the status of a saint in a clear parody of the veneration of religious figures.

Summary:

"The Jackdaw of Rheims" is a humorous poem that satirizes religious and political authority. Barham's language is rich and poetic, with a humorous and lighthearted tone. The poem is a reminder of the enduring power of good humor to entertain and amuse readers.