Self-mockery and crisis in “Bestiário para fagote e esôfago”, a poem by Augusto de Campos

Abstract

This paper proposes a reflection about crisis as a forming element on modern poetry. Despite this adverse scenario towards poetry being a known issue for many centuries, with modern poetry it becomes itself the basis for writing poems. We accomplish the discussion through the analysis of a poem by Augusto de Campos: “Bestiário para fagote e esôfago”. The intent is to verify in which ways poetry crisis is dealt with in that poem and to take notice of the recurrence of self-criticism and self-mockery as well. How modern poetry makes use of this self-criticism as a strategy for self-assertion is also highlighted. Thus, besides contemplating a prominent Brazilian poet, a crucial issue about modern poetry is taken into account.