# Mendax explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A poetic condemnation of a figure called Mendax, the High Lord of Liars, who is accused of shameless mendacity and leading others astray. The poem prophesies his imminent death and moral decay, suggesting that if he does not die, he is condemned to live on in his wickedness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The entire poem is an attack on Mendax as the embodiment of lies and shameless deceit.

### Mortality and Regret

The poem prophesies Mendax's death and reflects on the inevitability of mortality.

### Justice and Revenge

References to Justice and the Strangler imply a desire for retribution against Mendax.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator delivers a scathing poetic address to Mendax.

## Key lines

> Mendax High Lord of Liars, Senex, unto thee Let meaner mortals bend the subject knee!

Mendax, the great liar and old man, is addressed as a ruler to whom lesser people bow.

_Establishes Mendax as a figure of supreme deceit._

> Straight down to death this blessed year thou’lt sink, Thy life washed out as with a wave of ink.

You will die this very year, your life erased like ink washed away.

_Prophesies Mendax's imminent death._

> The rogues who die not are condemned to live!

Those villains who do not die are forced to continue living in their wickedness.

_Suggests that living on in sin is a punishment in itself._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/mendax
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters