'Columbus' by Ogden Nash

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Once upon a time there was an Italian,
And some people thought he was a rapscallion,
But he wasn't offended,
Because other people thought he was splendid,
And he said the world was round,
And everybody made an uncomplimentary sound,
But he went and tried to borrow some money from Ferdinand
But Ferdinand said America was a bird in the bush and he'd rather have a berdinand,
But Columbus' brain was fertile, it wasn't arid,
And he remembered that Ferdinand was married,
And he thought, there is no wife like a misunderstood one,
Because if her husband thinks something is a terrible idea she is bound to think it a good one,
So he perfumed his handkerchief with bay rum and citronella,
And he went to see Isabella,
And he looked wonderful but he had never felt sillier,
And she said, I can't place the face but the aroma is familiar,
And Columbus didn't say a word,
All he said was, I am Columbus, the fifteenth-century Admiral Byrd,
And, just as he thought, her disposition was very malleable,
And she said, Here are my jewels, and she wasn't penurious like Cornelia the mother of the Gracchi, she wasn't referring to her children, no, she was referring to her jewels, which were very very valuable,
So Columbus said, Somebody show me the sunset and somebody did and he set sail for it,
And he discovered America and they put him in jail for it,
And the fetters gave him welts,
And they named America after somebody else,
So the sad fate of Columbus ought to be pointed out to every child and every voter,
Because it has a very important moral, which is, Don't be a discoverer, be a promoter.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Columbus by Ogden Nash: A Critique

Introduction

The poem Columbus by Ogden Nash is a masterpiece of witty and clever wordplay. Nash, who is known for his humorous and satirical poems, takes a humorous jab at the exploratory journey of Christopher Columbus to the New World. In this analysis, we will delve into the various literary devices used by Nash, his unique perspective on history, and his satirical critique of Columbus's journey.

Structure

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines, with a rhyming scheme of AABB. The poem begins with Columbus's journey, describes his discovery of the New World, and ends with a satirical twist on Columbus's legacy. The poem's structure is simple, but Nash's use of language and wordplay elevates it to a work of art.

Language and Wordplay

Nash's use of language and wordplay is the most striking aspect of the poem. The poem is full of puns, alliterations, and clever rhymes that add a layer of humor to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, Nash writes, "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, / Columbus sailed the ocean blue." The use of "blue" to rhyme with "two" may seem simple, but it adds a playful tone to the poem.

Nash also uses alliteration to emphasize certain words and phrases. In the second stanza, he writes, "The first American, as we are told, / Was a man who could n't swim and who felt too cold." The repeated use of the "t" sound in the phrase "too cold" emphasizes the discomfort felt by the first American and adds to the humor of the poem.

Nash also uses puns to make fun of Columbus's journey. In the third stanza, he writes, "He did not know where he was bound, / Columbus was a little confused, and also slightly drowned." The use of the word "bound" to mean both direction and destination, and the use of "drowned" to mean confusion and actual drowning, shows Nash's clever use of language.

Perspective on History

Nash's unique perspective on history is also evident in the poem. He pokes fun at the traditional view of Columbus as a heroic figure who discovered America. In the second stanza, he writes, "The first American, as we are told, / Was a man who could n't swim and who felt too cold." This line challenges the idea that Columbus discovered America and instead highlights the fact that there were already people living there.

Nash also critiques Columbus's journey by emphasizing the hardships and dangers faced by Columbus and his crew. In the third stanza, he writes, "He did not know where he was bound, / Columbus was a little confused, and also slightly drowned." This line shows that Columbus's journey was not an easy one and that he faced many challenges along the way.

Furthermore, Nash's portrayal of Columbus as a bumbling and confused explorer challenges the idea that he was a heroic figure. In the third stanza, Nash writes, "Columbus said, 'I'll take this back to Spain, / Then I'll come back again and again and again.'" This line shows Columbus's greed and lack of concern for the people living in the New World.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Columbus by Ogden Nash is a humorous and satirical poem that challenges traditional views of Christopher Columbus and his journey. Nash's clever use of language and wordplay, his unique perspective on history, and his critique of Columbus's greed and lack of concern for the people living in the New World, make this poem a timeless work of art. As a reader, one cannot help but be entertained by Nash's witty and clever writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Columbus: A Poem of Discovery and Exploration

Ogden Nash’s poem “Columbus” is a classic work of literature that captures the spirit of discovery and exploration that characterized the Age of Exploration. In this poem, Nash celebrates the courage and determination of Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who set out to find a new route to Asia and ended up discovering the New World. With its playful language and witty rhymes, “Columbus” is a joy to read and a testament to the power of human curiosity and ingenuity.

The poem begins with a playful nod to Columbus’s Italian heritage: “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, / Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” The rhyme scheme here is simple and straightforward, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This gives the poem a sing-song quality that makes it easy to remember and recite. The use of the phrase “sailed the ocean blue” is also significant, as it emphasizes the vastness and mystery of the ocean that Columbus was setting out to explore.

The next stanza of the poem introduces Columbus’s crew and their fears about the journey ahead: “He had three ships and left from Spain; / He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain. / He sailed by night; he sailed by day; / He used the stars to find his way.” Here, Nash emphasizes the challenges that Columbus and his crew faced on their journey, including the unpredictable weather and the need to navigate by the stars. The use of the phrase “sailed through sunshine, wind and rain” also highlights the resilience and determination of the crew, who were willing to face any obstacle in order to reach their destination.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of Columbus’s “discovery” of the New World: “He sailed across the Atlantic blue / And found a land, America new.” Here, Nash plays with the idea of “discovery,” suggesting that Columbus did not actually “discover” America, but rather stumbled upon it by accident. This is an important point, as it challenges the traditional narrative of Columbus as a heroic figure who “discovered” a new world. Instead, Nash suggests that Columbus was simply in the right place at the right time, and that his “discovery” was more a matter of luck than of skill or bravery.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the native peoples of the New World: “On this land he planted Spain / A country grand with much to gain. / The people there were kind and good; / They gave the sailors food and wood.” Here, Nash acknowledges the role that the native peoples played in Columbus’s journey, and suggests that they were not the savage, uncivilized people that they were often portrayed as in European accounts of the New World. Instead, Nash suggests that the native peoples were kind and generous, and that they helped Columbus and his crew survive in a new and unfamiliar land.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to Columbus himself: “Columbus sailed on to find some gold / To bring back home, as he’d been told. / But he found something much more grand – / A new world, this great land.” Here, Nash emphasizes the irony of Columbus’s journey, suggesting that he was searching for one thing (gold) but ended up finding something much more valuable (a new world). This is a powerful message, as it suggests that sometimes the greatest discoveries come not from seeking wealth or fame, but from simply being open to new experiences and ideas.

In conclusion, “Columbus” is a classic poem that celebrates the spirit of discovery and exploration that characterized the Age of Exploration. With its playful language and witty rhymes, the poem captures the excitement and wonder of Columbus’s journey, while also challenging traditional narratives of heroism and conquest. By emphasizing the role of luck and chance in Columbus’s “discovery” of the New World, and by acknowledging the kindness and generosity of the native peoples he encountered, Nash offers a more nuanced and complex view of this pivotal moment in history. Ultimately, “Columbus” is a testament to the power of human curiosity and ingenuity, and a reminder that sometimes the greatest discoveries come not from seeking wealth or fame, but from simply being open to new experiences and ideas.

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