Let us go through the following introductory presentation on the main ideas in the poem:
Listen to this recording of the poem:
THEME: Madness and conformity
FORM: Free verse
Difficult words:
- Divinest (Line 1) – The most “divine.” Divine can refer to God or godliness, implying that “Much Madness” is often a kind of
spiritual insight. But divine can also mean, more widely, pleasing or delightful—the best. - Discerning (Line 2) – To recognize, understand and/or distinguish. The “discerning Eye” refers to people with a capacity for seeing the word truthfully and objectively—because they can think for themselves.
- Starkest (Line 3) – This can mean the “most complete,” implying that this kind of “Madness”—the one that pretends to be sense”—is the worst of all. The word also has connotations of being naked or bare.
- ‘Tis (Line 4) – Archaic form of “it is.”
- Prevail (Line 5) – To win or come out on top; the poem here is saying that the “Majority” always decides what is normal and isn’t.
Now, make notes on your poem while your teacher explains it line by line. ✏️
