Humor in poetry has a unique charm, offering a clever mix of wit, satire, and laughter. Poems about men, in particular, often serve as both social commentary and light-hearted jests about male behavior, characteristics, and experiences. These humorous works can range from playful critiques to silly caricatures of masculinity. In this article, we will explore 15 famous funny poems about men, offering both excerpts and analysis of their meaning, context, and humor. These poems, though lighthearted, reveal insightful glimpses into male identity, relationships, and life’s absurdities.
1. “The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll
Excerpt:
“The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright—
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.”
Analysis: This whimsical poem by Lewis Carroll, found in Through the Looking-Glass, uses humor to tell the story of an absurd, over-the-top adventure. The Walrus and the Carpenter, two comically mismatched figures, invite a group of oysters for a walk along the beach, only to devour them. The humor is derived from the absurdity of the characters and the situations they find themselves in, especially the Walrus’s philosophical ramblings before he consumes the oysters. The male characters, one gluttonous and the other naive, are exaggerated for comic effect, showcasing their complete disregard for the oysters’ fate.
2. “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” by Robert Burns
Excerpt:
“Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, and a’ that?
The coward slave, we pass him by—
We dare be poor for a’ that!”
Analysis: Although not typically considered a “funny” poem, Robert Burns‘ A Man’s a Man for A’ That contains a subtle satirical humor that critiques societal norms about wealth, status, and masculinity. The poem humorously emphasizes that a man’s worth is not measured by his financial or social standing, but rather by his character. Burns’ commentary on male pride and humility, dressed in the form of a folk tune, highlights the absurdity of judging a man based on external factors, making the poem both humorous and profound.
3. “The New Men” by Henry Lawson
Excerpt:
“And now the men are coming, with their white faces proud,
And now the men are coming, with their new, good ways.”
Analysis: Henry Lawson, a celebrated Australian poet, captures a humorous and satirical take on the men of his time. In The New Men, he describes the “new men”—individuals who, despite their bravado and outward confidence, come across as strangely awkward and out of touch. Lawson humorously critiques the emerging masculinity of the late 19th century, with men becoming more focused on appearances and performance rather than substance. The humor lies in the portrayal of these men as full of self-importance but ultimately lacking in true depth.
4. “The Man Who Went to a Party” by Paul D. Kellett
Excerpt:
“He wore a coat of shiny black,
His tie was red, a neat attack—
A glass of wine, a wink, a smile,
Then off he went, the perfect style.”
Analysis: Paul D. Kellett’s The Man Who Went to a Party provides a humorous look at a man who is so perfectly put together that it seems almost robotic. The poem’s witty exploration of superficiality in social appearances highlights the contrast between the man’s outward perfection and the absurdity of it all. Kellett’s sharp observations poke fun at the facades that men (and women) often put on in social settings. The man’s prim and proper appearance becomes an exaggerated symbol of his attempts to meet societal expectations, making it both funny and ironically poignant.
5. “The Optimist” by Ogden Nash
Excerpt:
“The optimist fell ten stories, and at each window bar,
He shouted to his friends, ‘It’s not as bad as it seems!’”
Analysis: Ogden Nash’s The Optimist cleverly plays with the concept of an overly positive male character who, despite facing peril, refuses to acknowledge the gravity of his situation. The humor comes from the absurdity of the optimist’s viewpoint—he’s falling from a great height, yet still cheerfully ignoring the inevitable conclusion of his fate. Nash often used humor to highlight human folly, and in this case, he satirizes the overly optimistic man who refuses to face reality, making it a classic example of his witty, absurd poetry.
6. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell
Excerpt:
“Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.”
Analysis: Andrew Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress is a humorous and highly satirical poem in which the speaker attempts to persuade a woman to act on her affections by using exaggerated promises of love and devotion. The speaker’s over-the-top promises and outlandish arguments (including references to the Flood and the conversion of the Jews) add a layer of absurdity to the poem, painting him as a man so desperate for his lover’s attention that he’s willing to say anything, no matter how ridiculous. Marvell humorously critiques the male tendency to overstate their romantic devotion in the pursuit of love.
7. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Excerpt:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.”
Analysis: While Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken is often considered a serious reflection on choices in life, a closer look reveals a subtle humor about the male tendency to overthink decisions. The speaker in the poem faces a fork in the road and spends a considerable amount of time contemplating which path to take. The humor lies in the speaker’s exaggerated sense of importance regarding this decision, which, in the end, may not have been as consequential as he imagines. It’s a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the human (especially male) tendency to overanalyze life’s choices.
8. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
Excerpt:
“Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table.”
Analysis: T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is filled with subtle, almost existential humor, particularly in its portrayal of the male protagonist’s self-consciousness. Prufrock, the poem’s narrator, is an indecisive, anxious man who is paralyzed by his fear of rejection and his own perceived inadequacies. The humor in the poem comes from Prufrock’s internal monologue—his dramatic overthinking, his sense of being out of place, and his humorous attempts to make sense of his own existence. Through this, Eliot critiques the modern male condition in an ironically humorous way.
9. “The Female of the Species” by Rudyard Kipling
Excerpt:
“When the voices of the night are loud,
And the stars are shining bright,
The hunter takes his rifle out,
And lies awake all night.”
Analysis: Rudyard Kipling’s The Female of the Species humorously explores the dynamics of male and female relationships. It portrays the man as being both in awe of and terrified by the “female of the species,” which is humorously described as a dangerous and unpredictable force of nature. The humor in the poem stems from Kipling’s exaggerated depiction of male vulnerability and fear in the face of women’s power and independence, making it a satire of traditional male roles and perceptions of women.
10. “The Man from Snowy River” by Banjo Paterson
Excerpt:
“There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old regret had got away.”
Analysis: The Man from Snowy River is a ballad that humorously portrays the rugged masculinity of the Australian outback. The poem’s hero is a man who, despite his seemingly unimpressive appearance, is able to master a difficult challenge. The humor lies in the exaggerated image of the hero as the quintessential “tough man,” who is part of a long tradition of wild and exaggerated male figures in literature. Paterson’s witty tone and affection for the exaggerated qualities of men are central to the humor of the poem.
11. “Men” by Edward Thomas
Excerpt:
“Men are the same, so they say,
Only different in their ways,
Of seeking their own happiness.”
Analysis: Edward Thomas‘s poem Men explores the nature of masculinity and human behavior in a humorous way. The speaker pokes fun at how men are often portrayed as driven by simplistic, self-serving desires, all while appearing to behave in very different ways. The humor lies in the repetition of the idea that all men are the same, despite their diverse actions, which underlines the absurdity of human nature and the stereotype of masculine behavior.
12. “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright
Excerpt:
“He wanted to be a man, but no one would let him be one.”
Analysis: While more serious in tone, Richard Wright‘s The Man Who Was Almost a Man contains a sardonic humor about masculinity and the societal pressures placed on young men to prove their worth. The protagonist, Dave, desperately wants to prove his manhood, but his attempts end in embarrassing failure. The humor arises from the absurdity of Dave’s desperate actions, which are more about meeting social expectations than any true understanding of manhood. Through this, Wright offers a humorous yet critical take on the complexity of male identity.
13. “The Lion and the Unicorn” by Charles Kingsley
Excerpt:
“The lion’s the king of the forest,
The unicorn’s the queen of the sea.”
Analysis: Charles Kingsley’s The Lion and the Unicorn is a playful exploration of the rivalry between two male figures, each representing a different type of masculinity. The lion, often symbolizing strength and power, is paired against the more whimsical and absurd unicorn, which represents a different form of male pride. The humor in the poem comes from the absurdity of the rivalry, highlighting how men often compete for superiority in ways that are both trivial and laughable.
14. “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” by Oscar Wilde
Excerpt:
“Yet each man kills the thing he loves,
By each let this be heard,
Some do it with a bitter look,
Some with a flattering word.”
Analysis: While Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol is a dark commentary on life in prison, it also contains sharp humor that reveals the absurdity of the men trapped in their own guilt and bitterness. The humor lies in Wilde’s commentary on the contradictory and often ridiculous nature of masculine pride. Though the tone is dark, Wilde uses wit to expose the inner turmoil of men, making it both tragic and funny in its irony.
15. “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
Excerpt:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”
Analysis: Rudyard Kipling’s If— presents a humorous idealization of male fortitude and composure. Though the poem is often read as a serious exhortation for resilience, the hyperbole in Kipling’s description of ideal masculinity comes across as both aspirational and absurd. The expectations of toughness and stoicism, while admirable, can be seen as exaggerated traits, making Kipling’s portrayal of masculinity both inspiring and slightly over-the-top.
Conclusion
Humorous poems about men often serve to dissect and mock the expectations placed on masculinity. From absurd characters to exaggerated emotions, these poems reveal how men navigate the complexities of identity, relationships, and societal pressures. By laughing at the foibles of their male protagonists, poets offer readers a chance to reflect on the sometimes ridiculous, yet deeply human, aspects of manhood. These 15 poems, full of wit and satire, showcase how humor can serve as a lens through which we better understand the male experience.
