Okay, so I love English class, and I love poetry...
but I am extremely terrible at deciphering poems.
our assignment is:

Choose a poem, find 5 literary devices and give footnotes.
Also, write 200 words on the theme of the poem.



Just wondering if anyone could help me get started, please?!?
THANKS A BUNCH!



I have chosen this poem:

She Walks In Beauty
by George Gordon, Lord Byron

She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Lindsay, there are hundreds of literary devices, which you can find details of by searching that expression on the Internet.

You can find a short list of the main poetic devices, which of course are included in literary devices, at www.kyrene.k12.az.us.

You should be able to identify five of those poetic devices in this poem without any trouble. There's your start.

I suppose the 'footnotes' you are meant to write are statements of the devices you have identified. Not sure how you are required to lay them out on a page.

Then over to you to write a couple of hundred words expanding on (and, if you like, criticising) the theme, which seems to be that 'she' is pure and perfect in every way. According to my experience, such a belief is surely deluded, but 'tis well known that love is blind.

Ian



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2021 03:26PM by IanB.

>find 5 literary devices

1. like the night

2. grace which waves in every raven tress

3. cloudless climes and starry skies

4. dwelling-place

5. all that's best of dark and bright


Match up with:

Hyperbole

Simile

Personification

Alliteration

Metaphor

If you are not familiar with the terms Hugh has listed, go here: [www.poeticbyway.com]


Les

how is "dwelling place" an alliteration?

It isn't. Try matching with something else.