The Conqueror Worm
Lo! ’t is a gala night
Within the lonesome latter years!
An angel throng, bewinged, bedight
In veils, and drowned in tears,
Sit in a theatre, to see
A play of hopes and fears,
While the orchestra breathes fitfully
The music of the spheres.Mimes, in the form of God on high,
Mutter and mumble low,
And hither and thither fly—
Mere puppets they, who come and go
At bidding of vast formless things
That shift the scenery to and fro,
Flapping from out their Condor wings
Invisible Wo!That motley drama—oh, be sure
It shall not be forgotten!
With its Phantom chased forevermore
By a crowd that seizes it not,
Through a circle that ever returns to the same spot,
And much of madness, and more of sin,
And horror the soul of the plot.But see, amid the mimic rout,
A crawling shape intrudes!
A blood-red thing that writhes from out of the scenic solitude!
It writhes! it writhes! with mortal pangs
The mimes become its food.Out, out are the lights, all out!
And, over each quivering form,
The curtain, a funeral pall,
Comes down with the rush of a storm,
While the angels, all pallid and wan,
Uprising, unveiling, affirm
That the play is the tragedy, “Man,”
And its hero, the Conqueror Worm.
Summary of the Poem, “The Conqueror Worm”
- Popularity of “The Conqueror Worm”: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Conqueror Worm” was first published in Graham’s Magazine in January 1843. It is a haunting exploration of inescapable death, suggesting that all human striving, hope, and dreams are ultimately consumed.
- “The Conqueror Worm” as a Representation of Death: The poem presents a symbolic drama, with angels watching a play titled “Man.” The mimes perform the play, while the Worm emerges to devour them. The poem builds in tension—exposition in the first stanza, rising action in the second and third, climax with the Worm’s arrival, and a somber resolution.
- Major Themes in “The Conqueror Worm”: Death, the futility of desire, and the inevitability of mortality are central themes. The poem depicts humanity engaged in a futile pursuit of dreams, ultimately succumbing to the relentless force of death. Poe masterfully uses the theatrical setting to highlight the performative nature of life and the tragic end that awaits all beings.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “The Conqueror Worm”
- Assonance: Poe employs assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, to create musicality and emphasis. For example, the repeated short “o” sound in “Mimes, in the form of God on high” and the interplay of “i” and “ai” in “It writhes! it writhes! with mortal pangs” contribute to the poem’s haunting rhythm.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is a hallmark of Poe’s style. The poem is filled with striking visual descriptions, such as “A blood‑red thing that writhes from out of the scenic solitude” and “Mere puppets they, who come and go.” These images create a visceral sense of horror and dread.
- Alliteration: Poe also makes use of alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds. For instance, “An angel throng, bewinged, bedight” and “The scenic solitude.” These subtle repetitions add to the poem’s melodic quality.
- Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, anaphora, is less prominent but present. The repeated “It writhes” in the fourth stanza powerfully emphasizes the Worm’s relentless and terrifying movement and intensifies the feeling of horror.
- Enjambment: Poe skillfully uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause—to create a sense of flow and momentum. Consider the lines:
And seraphs sob at vermin fangs
In human gore imbued. - Cacophony: Poe isn’t afraid to employ cacophony—the use of harsh, discordant sounds—to create a sense of unease and horror. The lines:
It writhes! it writhes! with mortal pangs
The mimes become its food. - Allusion: The poem contains allusions that deepen its meaning. “Mimes, in the form of God on high” subtly alludes to the Judeo‑Christian creation story from Genesis, suggesting that humanity, like the mimes, is merely a performance, a creation shaped by a higher power.
- Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbolism. The “blood” and “worm” clearly symbolize death. The mimes represent humanity, and the “Phantom” embodies the elusive goals and desires that drive human endeavor. The entire theatrical setting symbolizes the artificiality and impermanence of life.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “The Conqueror Worm”
- Stanza: The poem is composed of five stanzas, each contributing to the development of the central theme.
- Octave: Each stanza consists of eight lines, an octave, which contributes to the poem’s formal elegance.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem uses varied rhyme schemes across its stanzas, each contributing to its musical quality and atmosphere.
- End Rhyme: Poe utilizes end rhyme—rhyming words at the ends of lines—to enhance the poem’s musicality and create a sense of closure within each stanza. Examples include “all/pall,” “pangs/fangs,” and “wings/things.”
Quotes to be Used
The lines stated below can be used to describe any monster or mysterious figure that becomes the reason for destruction. You may also use similar lines to narrate a horror story about ghosts, zombies, or vampires.
A crawling shape intrudes!
A blood‑red thing that writhes from out of the scenic solitude!
It writhes! it writhes! with mortal pangs
The mimes become its food.