# Contempt of Court explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter satirizes Juror Simpson's drunkenness during a trial, contrasting his behavior with the sober Judge Ross, and warns of the judge's impending contempt ruling.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The juror's drunkenness undermines the ideal of a fair trial, exposing corruption in the justice system.

### Justice and Revenge

The judge's impending contempt ruling suggests a punitive response to the juror's misconduct.

## Character check-ins

### Juror Simpson

Got drunk and made a spectacle, failing to serve as a proper peer.

### The Judge

Judge Ross, sober and bookish, is contrasted with the drunken juror and prepares to deliver a contempt ruling.

## Key lines

> So, Juror Simpson, you got drunk And was a holy show!

Juror Simpson became intoxicated and made a spectacle of himself.

_Opens the chapter with direct address and mockery of the juror's behavior._

> Judge Ross, who never, never looks On wine when it is red, But sits cold sober cramming books Into his head

Judge Ross is a teetotaler who spends his time studying law books.

_Contrasts the judge's sobriety with the juror's drunkenness._

> But just prepare for something awful In words: That jurist has his jaw full.

Prepare for a severe verbal reprimand, as the judge is ready to speak his mind.

_Foreshadows the judge's contempt ruling against the juror._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/contempt-of-court
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters