Death And The Fool

By Madison Julius Cawein

Narrative Poem
    Here is a tale for any man or woman:     A fool sought Death; and braved him with his bauble     Among the graves. At last he heard a hobble,     And something passed him, monstrous, super-human.     And by a tomb, that reared a broken column,     He heard it stop. And then Gargantuan laughter     Shattered the hush. Deep silence followed after,     Filled with the stir of bones, cadaverous, solemn.     Then said the fool:"Come! show thyself, old prancer!     I'll have a bout with thee. I, too, can clatter     My wand and motley. Come now! Death and Folly,     See who's the better man." There was no answer;     Only his bauble broke; a serious matter     To the poor fool who died of melancholy.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This intriguing poem is a darkly humorous meditation on the themes of mortality, folly, and the hubris of challenging the inevitable. The poem employs a narrative structure, telling a cautionary tale of a "fool" who dares to confront Death himself, only to meet a tragic end. The author's use of personification effectively renders Death as an ominous, mocking figure, with his "Gargantuan laughter" breaking the cemetery's silence and the absence of a reply to the fool's challenge enhancing the sense of his untouchable power.

The tone of the poem is both whimsical and foreboding. The use of archaic and playful language such as "bauble," "hobble," and "prancer," contrasts with chilling, somber imagery like "broken column," "stir of bones," and "cadaverous, solemn." This juxtaposition serves to underscore the foolhardiness of the protagonist's actions. The poet also cleverly uses the fool's tools of trade, "wand and motley," as symbols of worldly distractions and frivolity, which are ultimately powerless against death. The final, ironic twist of the fool dying of "melancholy" after his "bauble" breaks, emphasizes the gravity of the poem's message: the mocking of death can lead to self-destruction.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.