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Caitiff

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Author's Notes: Caitiff is a special Tanka poem that I just finished the other day. "Caitiff," in particular, as a literary word in its own right, finds it poetic antecedents and original usage dating back to the 14th century and had been used by none other than Shakespeare himself. It is a word well-worth knowing, and perhaps using in special circumstances as either a noun or adjective. It has a number of demonstrative pejorative meanings when referring to someone who is truly a lousy and loathsome person. (Gary Bateman - July 16, 2018)

Thematic Categories: allegory, betrayal, dark, discrimination, evil, hyperbole, and prejudice.

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Carole Duet

Date: 7/22/2018 2:55:00 PM

A new word for me that unfortunately fits someone we all know as President D.T. A perfect description!

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/22/2018 3:14:00 PM

Hello Dear Carole, Yes -- that's certainly a most apt description of "that person" for sure. Perfect it certainly is, but it can also be applied to others that one deems obnoxious and wholly contemptible. Best Always, Gary

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/21/2018 2:59:00 PM

Indeed! So many currently on the world stage come to mind, Gary. Excellently penned with intelligence and integrity.. I love the word and I love how you employ it with your Tanka - your poet's notes are quite wonderful too! Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/21/2018 4:43:00 PM

Hello Dear Susan, Thanks for your read here of "Caitiff" and for your very prescient observations regarding nuances and potential usage of this literary word, especially as it is directly associated Shakespeare. Very glad you like my Author's Notes. I use them as a backstory to my various poems and to give the reader hints to certain aspects of what my notions are with any given poem. It's all good!! Best Wishes Always, Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 7/19/2018 12:18:00 AM

ah so well said, world leaders but also many followers, sadly in that time many had no moral compass, and today many seem to have lost their moral compass.

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 7:05:00 AM

Thanks Art!! I totally agree with what you say. Amen!! Amen!!We are unfortunately living in some very contentious times. Best Wishes, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 7/17/2018 8:02:00 AM

smiling i feel this pinpoints to certain world leaders excellent pen dear pal i pray you both have a blessed week

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 8:54:00 AM

Hello Liam Mate!! Yes, my good friend -- Methinks you hath pinpointed a most excellent usage for this special word. Our modern world doth abound with it plentiful share of cowards, miscreants, idiots, and contemptible fools who knoweth not one stich of Shakespeare and probably read few books at all, if any!! A most blessed week to you from Ingrid and me!! Best!! Gary

Carole Duet

Date: 7/16/2018 10:06:00 PM

Sounds like Trump to me! Great little poem, Gary. I learn something every day. :D

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 8:46:00 AM

Hello Carole, Yes -- this word and its particular description in my Tanka does match our "American Pied Piper" without a doubt. Be that as it may, I did principally write this poem to convey a sense of how Shakespeare employed its usage in some of his plays. Archaic as Caitiff from the poetic past, it still has very relevant currency in today`s modern English. And it does fit the "Donald" quite well!! Best, Gary

Arturo Michael

Date: 7/16/2018 4:24:00 PM

"A miscreant immoral!" So good to learn something everyday...Thank you Gary

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 8:35:00 AM

Hello Arturo, Thanks for your note and your read here. Yes, for sure, it is very good to learn something very day. Words, after all, form the mosaic of our finished poems!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/16/2018 1:40:00 PM

- Interesting poem, Gary ... never too old to learn ... - Being cowardly is one of the essential qualities of man ... I think fear can be a cause - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/16/2018 1:49:00 PM

Hello Dear Anne-Lise, Thanks for your read and comment. "Caitiff," as a word, has much meaning in today's world, just as it did in Shakespeare's time. Best Wishes, Gary