[High School - English] Poetry

Re: [High School - English] Poetry

haha I could tell it was a Tennyson before even seeing that at the bottom


DISCLAIMER: This is all as I see it, your English teacher might be looking for something completely different.


For one, this poem is an extended metaphor, all of the sea allusions are references to life and death. Also note that the first and fourth stanzas are practically the same; however, the first is the beginning of life, where youth longs for glory/greatness etc., but the last stanza is the reflection of an older person longing for youth again.

Pretty much just compare everything to life and you'll figure everything out, just like with a lot of Tennyson's work. The poem is a metaphor for life, and its structure resembles that journey of life.

Re: [High School - English] Poetry

Enterpret each half stanza seperately and put them all together. I made sence of it and I'm not particularly good at getting messages either.

Re: [High School - English] Poetry

OK I hope I am not breaking any rules here.

English is not my best subject, but this is what I can tell from analyzing it by looking at syntax.

I see that there is a use of anaphora in each stanza (I'm sure you know what that is, but I will put definitions at the bottom in my own words)

I also noticed the use of epizeuxis at the very beginning of the poem and the beginning of the last stanza. This is most likely used to emphasize the power of the sea. The fact that he uses negative adjectives such as 'break', suggests his dislike for the sea. Trying not to give the answer, I have inferred that he loses what he holds close.

What would really help you to interpret the poem is to look at the poets background. You can probably gain some idea of what he is trying to say through is ethos.

Along with ethos, I have to mention pathos. While examining the the syntax, look at the type of sentences (simple, compound, complex, etc.). This will help suggest the type of audience he is writing to, which will also give you an idea of the message.

Anaphora- The repition of words or a group of words at the beginning of two or more sentences
Epizeuxis- a figure of emphasis. The repeated succession of a word, word, word (:
Ethos- the writers experience: what gives them the right to speak
Pathos- specific writing meant to appeal to a certain group of people

I hope this is a little help
-God Dethroned