"Beasts" by Richard Wilbur is a poem that explores the theme of the animal kingdom and human nature. In the poem, Wilbur compares the behavior of animals to that of humans, and suggests that, in some ways, animals may be superior to humans.
The poem begins with a description of the "beasts" that roam the earth. These beasts are depicted as wild and untamed, living freely and instinctively. They are "fierce and fleet," "haunting" the forests and fields, and "raving" in the night. These animals are not bound by the constraints of human society, and are able to act on their primal desires without hesitation or guilt.
In contrast, Wilbur presents humans as civilized and restrained. We are "the beasts that moralize," who "ponder our own worth" and "reason of right and wrong." We are constantly seeking to improve ourselves and our societies, and we often impose rules and regulations on ourselves in order to do so. But Wilbur suggests that this self-imposed restraint may not always be a good thing. In the poem, he writes that "our moralizing makes us dreary," and that we often become "bored and blue" as a result of our own rules and expectations.
Wilbur also suggests that humans may have a tendency to forget their own animal nature. We often see ourselves as separate from the rest of the animal kingdom, and we may forget that we are, at our core, animals ourselves. Wilbur writes that "we are beasts, too, / And think it wise / To moralize." This line suggests that, even though we may try to deny our animal nature, it is still present within us.
Throughout the poem, Wilbur uses the comparison between animals and humans to explore the theme of human nature. He suggests that, while we may try to distance ourselves from our animal instincts, they are still a part of who we are. At the same time, he also implies that, in some ways, animals may be superior to humans. They are able to live freely and instinctively, without the burden of moralizing and self-imposed restraint.
In conclusion, "Beasts" by Richard Wilbur is a thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of human nature and the animal kingdom. It suggests that, while we may try to distance ourselves from our animal instincts, they are still a part of who we are, and that, in some ways, animals may be superior to humans.
