Poe and Queen: An Unlikely Connection

Edgar Allan Poe was a mysterious nineteenth century poet best known for his macabre stories, while Queen was a popular rock band in the 70s. It seems unlikely that their works would share meaning (however, in certain photos Poe could pass off as a band member)

Queen

Poe/Possible Queen Roadie 

but Poe’s “The Black Cat” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” are certainly connected.

Poe's “The Black Cat” is a tragic story of a mild-mannered man who drunkenly kills his wife and cat. Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody” picks up where the pride of Baltimore leaves off--a man has killed someone and is begging for forgiveness.

Both are tragedies, because the characters commit brutal crimes that do not represent their true personalities. Though they are regretful and don’t know what got into them, it’s doubtful that regret will hold up against a twelve-person jury. “The Black Cat” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” are both about death, caused by people who aren’t in their normal state, and the subsequent consequences they will face.

The first verse of “Bohemian Rhapsody” describes a boy running to his mother, frantically explaining that he “Put a gun against his head, pulled the trigger, now he’s dead” (Queen 8).

His fear pours out during the song as he pleas for mercy. The narrator in “The Black Cat” is similarly confused with himself, however he feels more horrific than scared.

The man claims that his violent ways came from “this unfathomable longing of the soul to vex itself--to offer violence to its own nature--to do wrong for wrongs sake only” (Poe 27).

That quote will likely get him committed to a psych ward, because the pointless violence cannot be explained, it is sudden and unexpected. He goes into demonic states of rage, and inexplicably murders, just like our friend from “Bohemian Rhapsody.” These two clearly have some problems, but it’s still hard to see apparently normal people have lapses in judgement that will ruin their lives.

For more on Bohemian Rhapsody: https://genius.com/Queen-bohemian-rhapsody-lyrics

For more on Edgar "the show" Poe: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edgar-Allan-Poe