Epitaph on a Tyrant- a Critical Analysis - 759 Words

Epitaph on a Tyrant Wyston Hughes Auden, or WH Auden, was a British poet, often considered by critics to be one of the best England has ever produced. Auden’s work is known, not only for its remarkable poetic calibre and craftsmanship but also for his skilful portrayal of myriad themes- ranging from the political, social, ethical, to the moral and even the individual. One of Auden’s best known poems and written, interestingly when Adolf Hitler was at the peak of his power in Europe, is a short, six line piece entitled- â€Å"Epitaph on a Tyrant† The poem talks about a man- an anonymous â€Å"he†- a perfectionist whose poetry was understandable and who, himself, understood â€Å"human folly† and the human psyche like â€Å"the back of his hand†. He was†¦show more content†¦In fact, there are many critics who believe that this poem was Auden’s own epitaph on Hitler- a personal ode to the man who had wielded such power in the years of his dictatorship and played no small role in shaping the world as we know it today and they had known it then. However the poem doesnot restrict itself to a merely historical purview. Auden’s poetry is such that it can be analyzed and interpreted in many more ways than just one and these interpretations themselves can change over time and circumstance. Hence, Epitaph on a Tyrant, though it does, most definitely allude to Hitler, discusses, also the very nature of tyranny itself- and presents it as the dynamic, multifaceted phenomenon it really is. By using phrases such as â€Å"poetry† and â€Å"perfection† Auden portrays the tyrant, almost as a misunderstood artist- a man who wishes to achieve the ultimate in what he shapes, through his creative abilities. On the one hand, it is believed that Auden may be talking about a different sort of tyrant- a benevolent despot whose character and personality are such that people find joy in his laughter and die in the wake of his grief. A man, who through his charisma, alone, brings together multitudes and in his knowledge regardin g human folly and his effective use of it, binds them together and achieves that elusive â€Å"perfection†- thereby rendering the phrase tyrant- ironic and obsolete. On the other hand, however, Auden couldShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem Ozymandias 1512 Words   |  7 Pageswidely recognized as one of the greatest Egyptian pharaohs and is sometimes referred to as â€Å"Ramses the Great† due to his many accomplishments; however, throughout the ages, his physical legacy is slowly succumbing to deterioration. There are many critical reviews of this poem; however, the profound sense of irony that is conveyed is the one that resonates the greatest. Irony, as used in literature, is defined as, â€Å"a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention orRead MorePoems with Theme with Life and Death and Their Analysis8446 Words   |  34 PagesEI WAI KHAING AN ANALYSIS OF THEMES ON LIFE AND DEATH OF SOME POEMS Abstract: Some basic elements of poem and types of poem are included in this paper. Although there are countless number of poems on Life and Death, only the ones which seem noteworthy are studied and analysed in terms of themes. Different opinions of different poets on life and death found in their poems are also presented and contrasted in this paper. This paper