In a British poem, this is “raddled with Napoleon’s paint, nose eaten by a less clear conqueror”

The Final Jeopardy category was Poetic Objects. The clue read: “In a British poem, this is ‘raddled with Napoleon’s paint, nose eaten by a less clear conqueror.’”

What is the Sphinx?

The line in the clue comes from British poet William Empson’s work, where he describes the Sphinx in striking and unusual terms. Empson’s phrasing, “raddled with Napoleon’s paint, nose eaten by a less clear conqueror,” refers to the damaged yet enduring monument of ancient Egypt. The Sphinx, one of the world’s most recognizable sculptures, was famously defaced over centuries, with its nose destroyed long before Napoleon’s troops allegedly fired upon it—a myth often repeated in cultural history.

In Empson’s poem, the Sphinx becomes more than a relic; it is a layered symbol of history, decay, and human curiosity. By referring to Napoleon’s paint, Empson suggests how empires and conquerors leave their marks—both literal and metaphorical—on objects of the past. The “less clear conqueror” represents the relentless erosion of time, which consumes all human achievements.

The Literary Context of William Empson

William Empson, a prominent figure in 20th-century British literature, was known for his complex and often cryptic poetry. His style favored intellectual puzzles, where meaning unfolded through interpretation rather than immediate understanding. The clue’s reference comes from his poem “Four Legs, Two Legs, Three Legs,” a reinterpretation of the myth of Oedipus and the Sphinx.

Empson saw poetry as a field of layered meanings. His use of the Sphinx demonstrates this philosophy perfectly—it embodies mystery, riddles, and the passage of civilizations. The image he creates merges myth, archaeology, and irony, portraying how modern perception reshapes ancient symbols.

Historical and Mythological Layers

The Sphinx, rooted in Egyptian mythology, represents wisdom and enigma. Its association with the Oedipus story in Greek myth adds another dimension—transforming it from a guardian of tombs into a riddle-giver and test of human intellect. Empson’s use of the Sphinx in his poetry draws upon both traditions, blending ancient myth with modern reflection.

By describing it as “raddled,” meaning worn or blemished, the poet brings attention to its weathered state. The imagery also evokes the continuity between historical violence and natural decay, showing how even the grandest monuments become subjects of time’s slow conquest.

Why the Sphinx Fits the Jeopardy Clue

The Jeopardy clue cleverly condensed Empson’s vivid imagery into a puzzle that required both literary and cultural awareness. Contestants needed to recognize the British poetic source and connect the description to a famous physical object associated with both Napoleon and decay. The Sphinx, fittingly, meets both conditions—a poetic and physical riddle enduring through centuries.

The answer reflects not only knowledge of poetry but also of history and art. It captures the Jeopardy tradition of bridging literature, mythology, and culture in a single, thought-provoking question.