In the realm of poetry, the exploration of evil delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. These poems confront the evil forces that lurk within individuals and society, shedding light on the shadow aspects of human nature.
Through evocative language, these verses capture the insidious nature of evil. They delve into the complexities of moral corruption, the allure of temptation, and the consequences of destructive actions.
Poems about evil often personify this force, creating vivid characters that embody wickedness and the darkest aspects of humanity. They may explore deception, cruelty, and the erosion of empathy and conscience.
Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market,’ narrates the fantastical tale of Laura and Lizzie, delving into sin, redemption, and sisterhood.
Goblins manifest evil and moral corruption. The poem directly makes a classification by emphasizing the sisters' virtuousness and goblins' maliciousness in phrases such as, 'Their evil gifts (fruits),' 'Their looks were evil (revealing their true selves when Lizzie refuses to eat the fruits),' and 'the evil people (directly categorizing them when the good, i.e., Lizzie triumphs over the evil).' The temptation and betrayal of young maidens with deceptive charm and sensual fruits by goblins echo the biblical story of Eve. Moreover, the goblins represent the darker side of human society wherein men prey on innocent female sexuality while the women get punished for transgressing; by undoing Laura's curse, the poem emphasizes the real evil resides in men like goblins, not in the young maidens who don't prize innocence.
One of the classics of Scottish literature, ‘Tam O’Shanter’ is a poem whose influence has spread beyond the borders of Scotland. A tale of drunken misadventure mixed with faux gothic and comedy horror, this poem somehow manages to transcend the mix of styles and tell a tale that has stood the test of time.
Images of evil - murderers and thieves, for example - are used throughout the poem before the reader is introduced to the ultimate evil, the Devil. The witches are shown to be evil as we are told about Nannie's future exploits. Early on, drinking is shown to be something of an evil vice, but the evil that follows is shown to be far worse.
‘The Lamb’ by William Blake was included in The Songs of Innocence published in 1789. It is regarded “as one of the great lyrics of English Literature.”
The poem looks into evil by contrasting it with innocence, questioning how a benevolent Creator could also forge fearsome and destructive forces. The tiger, with its fierce and fiery presence, symbolizes the complexities of creation and the duality of good and evil. Blake’s inquiry reflects humanity’s struggle to understand suffering and the darker aspects of life, presenting evil as an integral, though unsettling, part of the world’s divine design.
‘Woodchucks’ by Maxine Kumin is a metaphorical poem which uses the conceit of a farmer hunting woodchucks to uncover the murderous tendencies only a position of power can reveal in humans.
The entire poem is a cautionary tale about the evil that exists in humans. The lack of a redemption arc intentionally remains as a reminder that this side of human beings can never completely go away, and all one needs are the right position and the right authority for their evil to surface.
The food from our mouths, I said, righteously thrilling
Coleridge’s ‘Christabel’ is an uncompleted long narrative that tells the story of Christabel and Geraldine, featuring supernatural elements.
Evil is subtly but powerfully woven into ‘Christabel’ through the character of Geraldine and the dark influences she brings. Coleridge uses nuanced descriptions and actions to suggest a profound malevolence lurking beneath the surface. The portrayal of evil as both external and psychological adds layers to the narrative, making it deeply unsettling and effective.
‘Getting There’ depicts Plath’s journey through suffering, leading to her revival from a troubled past. This revival, however, is rooted in oblivion.
The evil mechanisations of an impersonal war are seen to have affected young men in unmendable ways. The evil mechanisations of the the teeth-baring 'train' (or life itself) are driving the suffering that the speaker faces.
‘Done is a Battell on the Dragon Blak’ by William Dunbar is a medieval Easter poem of Scottish roots and tells of Christ’s victory over Satan.
Death is a key topic in the poem. Jesus’ crucifixion is described in detail. His death is shown as a sacrifice for humanity. It also shows that death is not the end because Jesus rises again.
‘The Hag’ by Robert Herrick is short poem that imagines with haunting detail a witch’s emergence into the night.
Given the subject matter, it is not surprising that evil is a central topic of Herrick's poem. This evil, according to the speaker (and popular beliefs of the poet's time), centers on the hag and her close proximity to the devil. This evil is what is responsible for transforming the night into a tempest-tossed chaos of unnatural events.
‘We Live to Kill and Kill to Live’ by Gabriel Okara is a poem that looks at humanities intrinsic relationship with war.
By mentioning some of the most infamous atrocities in human history, this poem really serves to highlight the evil of warfare. The poet looks at the reasons why people engage in this behavior and seems to think that this cycle could continue indefinitely. Genocide and war crimes are highlighted as a way to show where this can lead.
‘Not My Business’ by Niyi Osundare is a powerful, satirical poem that explores the consequences of staying silent in the face of oppression.
The poem addresses the presence of evil and violence in society through its depiction of unjust actions and the abuse of power. Osundare's poetry often confronts the dark aspects of humanity, exposing the destructive forces that perpetuate violence and oppression. His words serve as a call to action against evil, generally.
‘To a Millionaire’ by A. R. D. Fairburn critiques opulence, unraveling hidden guilt, moral decay, and inevitable downfall through vivid metaphors and striking imagery.
The poem delves into the topic of evil by critiquing societal decay beneath opulence. Vivid metaphors, such as woven curtains of blood and buried bones, expose a darker moral underbelly. A. R. D. Fairburn navigates the corrosive impact of unchecked wealth, painting a stark picture of evil and exploitation concealed behind affluence, prompting contemplation on its profound societal ramifications.
Lord of our world, take off your velvet
mask. Remove your gentle glove, disclose
the claw-like hand, the dried blood under the nails,
The legend of Faust is retold from the perspective of his wife, who helplessly watches as her husband descends into sin and greed after making a deal with a demon for power.
Throughout this poem, Carol Ann Duffy skilfully displays the descent of characters into evil and shows the subsequent corruption of their souls. The demon Mephistopheles becomes the embodiment of evil, with his mere presence being enough to assault the speaker's senses with what she can only describe as evil. Faust's ambitions to become rich and powerful are distorted over time as he fulfils them, resulting in his pivot to endorsing evil, as seen through his participation in the trade of weapons.
William Blake’s ‘The Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ explores the transformative power of embracing contradiction and defying societal norms.
In this poem, the topic of evil is addressed as a force that coexists with good, forming an essential part of human nature. The poem challenges binary notions of evil, suggesting that it can possess transformative qualities and serve as a catalyst for growth. It invites readers to embrace the complexities of human existence, acknowledging the potential for both good and evil within individuals.
Rintrah roars and shakes his fires in the burdened air;
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem celebrates the ethereal beauty of a sleeping child and his profound connection to the divine.
The poem addresses the topic of evil indirectly by contrasting the child's innocence with the sinful nature of adults. It suggests that the child is unaffected by the troubles and flaws of the world, highlighting their purity and serenity. While the poem does not delve deeply into the concept of evil, it implies that the child's sacred state serves as a counterbalance or antidote to the presence of evil in the world.
‘I Was Sitting in McSorley’s’ is a prose poem in which Cummings describes his experiences sitting inside one of his favorite watering holes, contrasting the world outside with the world within.
Evil is mentioned by the poet, although the idea of evil isn't explored in any depth. The word is used as a way to help capture the scene and the emotions that the poet was feeling at the time when he was in the bar - perhaps with a sense of disquiet.
i was sitting in mcsorley's. outside it was New York and beautifully snowing.
Inside snug and evil. the slobbering walls filthily push witless creases of screaming warmth chuck pillows are noise funnily swallows
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