The poem 'Nose versus Eyes' by William Cowper is a satirical take on the judiciary. The theme dwells on the proceedings of a court where judgment is passed without careful consideration is such a one gently humorous poem
The poem 'Nose versus Eyes' it pokes fun at some absurd decisions arrived at in jurisprudence when the law is applied without human discretion and thought. The nose and eyes are sensory organs that symbolise human behaviour.The theme is about typical human behavior in the society which is greedy. People who grab something which is not theirs and depride those who deserve it.
The poem is in stanzas of four lines each, The first and third, and the second and fourth lines rhyme in each.
The sensory organs are personified. The eyes and nose are the parties fighting the cakes, claiming ownership of the spectacles. The tongue is the lawyer ; the ear is the chief baron – The judge. The tongue is attributed with the qualities of skillful argument and learning. The tongue is also given the quality of shifting loyalties and double speak. That is what lawyers do. The ear is spoken of as having good judgement.The message the poem gives is that the judges verdict should also keep in mind the human values are not just arrived at decisions based purely on law books.The rhyme scheme of the poem is 'abab' and provides a song-like flow to the poem.
The poem reminds us about one of the hypocrisy and greed in people to grab what isn't theirs. It shows how the weak are unable to defend themselves. Though they are on the side of right. They are often wrong – the nose trying to grab the spectacles when the weak eyes need them to stand on is the perfect example in the poem 'nose versus eyes'.
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