'Human Folly' - the poem
Whate'er the passions, knowledge, fame, or pelf,
Not one will change is neighbour with himself.
The learn'd is happy nature to explore,
The fool is happy that he knows no more;
The rich is happy in the plenty given,
The poor contents him with the care of Heaven,
See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing
The sot a hero, lunatic a king;
The starving chemist in his golden views
Supremely bless'd, the poet in his Muse.
See some strange comfort ev'ry state attend,
And Pride bestow'd on all, a common friend:
See some fit passion every age supply;
Hope travels thro', nor quits us when we die.
Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law,
Pleas'd with a rattle, tickled with a straw:
Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight,
A little louder, but as empty quite:
Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper state,
And beads and prayer-books are the toys of age:
Pleas'd with this bauble still, as that before,
Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.
(Extract from 'Essay on Man', Epistle II)
The poem ‘Human Folly’ is an extract taken from Pope’s famous classical poem ‘Essay on Man’. Alexander Pope is famous for his brilliance of wit and expression. In this extract ‘Human Folly’ Pope uses a very pithy, elegant and epigrammatic style; he sums up his thoughts on the human situation.
The poet begins by saying that whatever the enthusiasm, learning, popularity or wealth one’s neighbor has no one would like to change places with his neighbor. These lines suggest that every person is satisfied with his lot and takes pride in it. Illustrating this point of view the poet writes that the knowledgeable person is contented with his process of research and explorations of nature. The foolish person finds happiness in his ignorance that he possesses. The wealthy person is joyful with his ample wealth given to him by God. The poor man is satisfied and feels that inspite of his poverty God will take care of him or protect him.
The poet then talks of a blind beggar who was dancing and the handicapped who sang. Then there was the drunkard, who portrayed himself as the new and the man one as a king. The poet mentions the chemist (a scholar in Chemistry), who inspite of his starvation is thoughtful about his future; and the poet who feels blessed in his poetic imagination. People find one or the other thing to provide them some unique solace in every situation. Pride is a universal human trait. Every man has some enthusiasm in him according to his age. Hope always remains with us throughout our life and even after death. For example a child is easily amused by a little toy like a rattle and even by a straw. Interests change with age; some ‘livelier plaything’ gives happiness to a person in his youth. Honour, wealth and power give pleasure to a grown-up man while beads of rosary and prayer-books are his favourites in old age. In this way man is pleased with one or the other toy even till his old age. This cycle goes on till death overpowers a man and the game of life is over.
Hence, in this poet has aptly summed up the frivolous nature of human life. True wisdom lies in seeing the futility of the pursuits of man. The words in the last line “life's poor play is o'er” reminds of Shakespeare’s ‘All the World’s a stage’ speech.
The poet begins by saying that whatever the enthusiasm, learning, popularity or wealth one’s neighbor has no one would like to change places with his neighbor. These lines suggest that every person is satisfied with his lot and takes pride in it. Illustrating this point of view the poet writes that the knowledgeable person is contented with his process of research and explorations of nature. The foolish person finds happiness in his ignorance that he possesses. The wealthy person is joyful with his ample wealth given to him by God. The poor man is satisfied and feels that inspite of his poverty God will take care of him or protect him.
The poet then talks of a blind beggar who was dancing and the handicapped who sang. Then there was the drunkard, who portrayed himself as the new and the man one as a king. The poet mentions the chemist (a scholar in Chemistry), who inspite of his starvation is thoughtful about his future; and the poet who feels blessed in his poetic imagination. People find one or the other thing to provide them some unique solace in every situation. Pride is a universal human trait. Every man has some enthusiasm in him according to his age. Hope always remains with us throughout our life and even after death. For example a child is easily amused by a little toy like a rattle and even by a straw. Interests change with age; some ‘livelier plaything’ gives happiness to a person in his youth. Honour, wealth and power give pleasure to a grown-up man while beads of rosary and prayer-books are his favourites in old age. In this way man is pleased with one or the other toy even till his old age. This cycle goes on till death overpowers a man and the game of life is over.
Hence, in this poet has aptly summed up the frivolous nature of human life. True wisdom lies in seeing the futility of the pursuits of man. The words in the last line “life's poor play is o'er” reminds of Shakespeare’s ‘All the World’s a stage’ speech.
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blessings on you for helping me.
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