Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Aesop" is a beautifully conceived and carefully constructed poem by Scottish writer Andrew Lang, known for his literary criticisms, translations, and poetry. This poem is a homage to Aesop, the renowned fabulist of ancient Greece, whose moral-laden tales continue to educate and entertain.

Aesop, born a slave in ancient Greece, is believed to have earned his freedom through his intelligence and wit. His stories, known as "Aesop's Fables," use anthropomorphized animals to portray human follies and teach moral lessons. Lang's poem is a poetic interpretation of Aesop's connection with nature and his ability to perceive human-like traits in animals.

The poem is steeped in allegory, and its theme revolves around the intrinsic connection between humans and nature. The first stanza describes Aesop's observations of the natural world, where he perceives "similitudes of men" in animals, affirming that our "hearts, our brains descend from these." The narrative then shifts as the animals respond, rejecting the notion that humans are their descendants due to our tendencies towards conflict and our estrangement from nature.

Lang employs various poetic devices in his tribute to Aesop. The extensive use of personification - giving voice to animals, mirrors Aesop's technique in his fables, making it fitting for the poem's subject. The "lion," "frog," "ape," and "daw" are not just animals in the poem but represent diverse human behaviors and traits.

Metaphorical expressions such as "our hearts, our brains descend from these" highlight the evolutionary connection between humans and animals, and later the animals' response, "Oh, latest children of the Earth, / Most childish children Earth has born" further emphasizes the moral dichotomy between human actions and natural harmony.

Symbolism is another significant device employed by Lang. The animals embody the freedom, peace, and equilibrium of nature, in contrast to the strife, struggle, and discontent associated with human existence.

The final lines, in which Aesop is referred to as a "misshapen slave," are powerful and poignant. Despite being seen as less than human by his contemporaries, Aesop's fables became a mirror for humans to view their follies and virtues, depicted through "likenesses of beast and bird."

In conclusion, "Aesop" by Andrew Lang is a potent exploration of the divide between human beings and the natural world. It illustrates how Aesop's fables, despite being told through animals, hold a mirror to human nature and behavior. Through personification, metaphor, and symbolism, Lang not only pays tribute to Aesop but also offers a reflection on humanity's relationship with the natural world.

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