2.5 Nose versus Eyes ….. William Cowper (Text Book Page No. 87)
APPRECIATION OF POEM (2.5 Nose versus Eyes)
Write the appreciation of the poem based on the given points :
About the poem, poet and title
Theme
Poetic style, language, poetic devices used in the poem
Special features
Message/values/morals in the poem
Your opinion about the poem
The poem “Nose versus Eyes” by William Cowper tells a funny story about a court case between the Nose and the Eyes over who should wear glasses. The title is playful and hints that the poem will be humorous. The poet, William Cowper, uses this funny situation to make fun of how the law can sometimes be silly or unfair.
The theme of the poem is about how justice can sometimes be wrong when weak arguments are used. The poem shows that decisions can be made based on arguments that don’t make sense, just like the judge in the poem, Ear, who gives a strange decision.
The poem is written in four-line stanzas with a simple rhyme scheme, making it easy to read. The language is clear and simple, with funny moments. The poet, William Cowper, uses personification, giving human qualities to the Nose, Eyes, Tongue, and Ear. The Tongue is the lawyer, and the Ear is the judge, which makes the poem creative and fun.
A special feature of the poem is how the lawyer (Tongue) argues for both sides of the case, first supporting the Nose, and then quickly switching to support the Eyes. This shows how arguments can change easily, even when they don’t make sense.
The poem gives the message that justice can sometimes be silly and unfair. It shows that weak arguments can influence decisions, even in important matters like the law.
In my opinion, the poem is funny and makes us think about how justice works. It mixes humor with a lesson about how things don’t always make sense.
Satirical – Making fun of something in a clever or humorous way.
Silly – Not serious or sensible; funny in a foolish way.
Fair – Treating people equally or in a just way.
Argument – A reason or explanation given to support an idea or belief.
Personification – Giving human qualities to something that is not human, like animals or objects.
Creative – Using imagination or new ideas to make something.
Special feature – A unique or important part of something that stands out.
EXPLANATION OF THE POEM (2.5 Nose versus Eyes)
Nose versus Eyes
by William Cowper
“Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose,”
(The Nose and the Eyes began a strange argument or fight. They disagreed over something important to them.)
“The spectacles set them unhappily wrong;”
(The disagreement happened because of a pair of glasses, which caused them to be upset or confused.)
“The point in dispute was, as all the world knows, To which the said spectacles ought to belong.”
(The argument was about who should have the glasses. Everyone knew the dispute was over this.)
“So Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause With great deal of skill, and a wig full of learning;”
(The Tongue acted as a lawyer in this case, trying to defend one side. It did so very well, with a lot of knowledge, like a lawyer who knows the law and wears a wig in court.)
“While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws, So famed for his talent in nicely discerning.”
(The Ear was the judge, known for making wise decisions and being careful in understanding the case.)
“‘In behalf of the Nose it will quickly appear, And your lordship,’ he said, ‘will undoubtedly find, That the Nose has had spectacles always in wear, Which amounts to possession time out of mind.'”
(The Tongue argued that the Nose has been wearing the glasses for a very long time, which means the glasses should belong to the Nose.)
“Then holding the spectacles up to the court, ‘Your lordship observes they are made with a straddle As wide as the ridge of the Nose is; in short, Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle.'”
(The Tongue showed the glasses to the judge, explaining that the frame of the glasses is shaped to fit the Nose perfectly, just like a saddle fits a horse.)
“‘Again would your lordship a moment suppose, (‘Tis a case that has happened, and may be again’) That the visage or countenance had not a Nose, Pray who would, or who could, wear spectacles then?'”
(The Tongue asked the judge to imagine a face without a Nose. If there were no Nose, who would wear the glasses? This was an example to prove that the Nose is needed to wear the spectacles.)
“‘On the whole it appears, and my argument shows, With a reasoning the court will never condemn, That the spectacles plainly were made for the Nose, And the Nose was as plainly intended for them.'”
(The Tongue concluded by saying that it’s clear the glasses were made for the Nose, and the Nose was made to wear them. The argument was strong and should be accepted by the court.)
“Then shifting his side, as a lawyer knows how, He pleaded again in behalf of the Eyes:”
(Then, like a clever lawyer, the Tongue changed sides and started arguing for the Eyes instead of the Nose.)
“But what were his arguments few people know, For the court did not think they were equally wise,”
(The Tongue’s new arguments for the Eyes weren’t very good, and the court didn’t find them convincing or smart.)
“So his lordship decreed with a grave solemn tone, Decisive and clear, without one if or but”
(The judge made a serious and clear decision, without any doubts or conditions.)
“That, whenever the Nose put his spectacles on, By daylight or candlelight—Eyes should be shut!”
(The judge ruled that whenever the Nose wore the spectacles, the Eyes must stay closed, whether it was daytime or nighttime.)
Contest – A competition or argument.
Spectacles – Glasses used to help people see better.
Unhappily – In a sad or upset way.
Dispute – A disagreement or argument.
Belong – To be owned by someone.
Lawyer – A person who helps argue cases in court.
Wig – A hairpiece worn by judges and lawyers in old times.
Baron – A high-ranking judge or official.
Balance – To make a fair decision.
Talent – A skill or ability.
Discerning – Able to make good judgments and decisions.
Behalf – In support of or representing.
Undoubtedly – Without any doubt, for sure.
Possession – The state of owning something.
Straddle – To sit or stand with legs wide apart, or to be on both sides of something.
Ridge – A raised, narrow line or edge.
Visage – Face or appearance.
Countenance – The face or expression of a person.
Pray – An old-fashioned way of saying “please” or asking.
Condemn – To say something is wrong or bad.
Shifting – Changing from one side to another.
Plead – To argue or defend a case in court.
Equally – In the same way, fairly.
Solemn – Serious or formal.
Decreed – Ordered or decided officially.
Decisive – Clear and definite, leaving no doubt.
If or but – A phrase meaning “without any conditions or exceptions.”
Daylight – The natural light from the sun during the day.
Candlelight – The light from a candle, usually at night.
Shut – To close or keep closed.