The Three Magi (Masterplots II: Poetry, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Stanisław Barańczak
- First Published: 1977
- Type of Work: Narrative
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative poetry
- Subjects: Communism or communists, Christianity, Jesus Christ, Eastern Europe or eastern Europeans, Poland or Polish people, Christmas
The Poem
“The Three Magi” is a poem of twenty-four lines of varied length. The title refers to the wise men who visited the infant Jesus with gifts denoting kingship and holiness and whose coming is traditionally celebrated on Epiphany (January 6). “Epiphany” literally means “shining forth” and refers both to the holiday and, more generally, to any moment of profound insight. The title is sardonic, comparing the Magi with the three government agents who appear at the door of the man to whom the poem is addressed; however, the police who come to the door of the...
[The entire page is 1446 words long]
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