The Conqueror Worm

By Edgar Allan Poe

Narrative Poem
Lo! 'tis a gala night Within the lonesome latter years! An angel throng, bewinged, bedight In veils, and drowned in tears, Sit in a theatre, to see A play of hopes and fears, While the orchestra breathes fitfully The music of the spheres. Mimes, in the form of God on high, Mutter and mumble low, And hither and thither fly Mere puppets they, who come and go At bidding of vast formless things That shift the scenery to and fro, Flapping from out their Condor wings Invisible Wo! That motley drama oh, be sure It shall not be forgot! With its Phantom chased for evermore, By a crowd that seize it not, Through a circle that ever returneth in To the self-same spot, And much of Madness, and more of Sin, And Horror the soul of the plot. But see, amid the mimic rout A crawling shape intrude! A blood-red thing that writhes from out The scenic solitude! It writhes! it writhes! with mortal pangs The mimes become its food, And the angels sob at vermin fangs In human gore imbued. Out out are the lights out all! And, over each quivering form, The curtain, a funeral pall, Comes down with the rush of a storm, And the angels, all pallid and wan, Uprising, unveiling, affirm That the play is the tragedy, "Man," And its hero the Conqueror Worm.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem employs a theatrical metaphor to explore profound themes of life, death, and the human condition. The tone is somber, marked by a sense of inevitable tragedy and cosmic despair. It is rich in images of darkness, horror, and decay, suggesting a universe that is at once terrifyingly vast and painfully indifferent to human life.

The poem's structure is marked by a rhythmic, almost hypnotic, repetition of motifs and phrases, creating a sense of circularity and inevitability. The recurring images of the angels, the mimes, and the worm reflect the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The use of the theatre metaphor is particularly striking, suggesting that human beings are mere players in a cosmic drama, their actions dictated by forces beyond their control.

The poem also employs a variety of literary devices to enhance its impact. The use of alliteration ("mutter and mumble"), assonance ("flapping from out their Condor wings"), and internal rhyme ("that ever returneth in/To the self-same spot") lend the poem a musical quality, reinforcing its overarching theme of the cosmic drama. The imagery is both vivid and unsettling, particularly the description of the "Conqueror Worm," which serves as a potent symbol of death and decay. The poem's final lines, in which the angels affirm that the play is the tragedy of "Man," and its hero the worm, deliver a chilling indictment of the human condition, marked by suffering, sin, and the inevitability of death.

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.