Poetry · Chapter
With Mine Own Petard explained
The narrator reflects on his past role as a harsh critic of local poets, describing how he silenced them with force and ridicule.
What happens
The narrator reflects on his past role as a harsh critic of local poets, describing how he silenced them with force and ridicule. Now, he considers whether to resume that battle but ultimately decides to let them rhyme, recalling the futility of his previous efforts.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Criticism
The narrator reflects on his role as a critic who used both physical force and satirical verse to suppress local poets, questioning the value of such conflict.
Deception and Self-Deception
The narrator admits that his harsh criticism was met with praise, yet he now sees the futility of his actions, suggesting self-deception about his motives.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator recounts his past as a critic who silenced local poets with violence and satire.
Key passages
“Time was the local poets sang their songs Beneath their breath in terror of the thongs I snapped about their shins.”
There was a time when local poets sang quietly, afraid of the punishments I inflicted on them.
The narrator establishes his past dominance over the poets.
“Shall I with arms unbraced (my casque unlatched, My falchion pawned, my buckler, too, attached) Resume the cuishes and the broad cuirass, Accomplishing my body all in brass, And arm in battle royal to oppose A village poet singing through the nose?”
Should I, without my armor and weapons, put on full battle gear to fight a village poet singing nasally?
The narrator questions whether to re-engage in conflict with the poets.
“No, let them rhyme; I fought them once before And stilled their songs—but, Satan! how they swore!”
No, let them write poetry; I fought them once and silenced them, but they cursed me loudly.
The narrator decides to refrain from further conflict, recalling the backlash.