The Panther

"The Panther" written by Rainer Maria Rilke to me describes a poor, caged animal that desires to be free in the wild again. This panther is described as growing old and weak to the world around him because of his lack of exercise and stimulation. All he can do is pace in circles inside the cage all day. He is basically bored and has given up hope of anything he may have once known. This poems truly shows the cruelty of imprisoning animals in iron cages for our own pathetic, human entertainment.