How to Analyze A Poem
In order to understand poetry better, here are ways to unlock the world of verses in order to unlock its wonderful world:
(I am using an original poem from me as basis)
My archangel
Trumpets blaring, echoes resounding
Noises resonating, mind wandering
A lone voice reminding, from the desert parching
Through arid lands plodding, for the rain waiting
Though on its chase unending, it doesn’t fail reminding
Carnal thoughts may be unfulfilling, but it is fleeting
True bliss enlivening, worldly desires denying
Only then in attaining, eternal delight is pure and satisfying
My Archangel is trailing, of this world’s desires unyielding
For self pleasure is not gratifying, but unselfish love is lasting….
A. Persona – the speaker of the poem.
Here the persona is a friend who is grateful to his/her friend.
B. Form – there are several methods an author might use – depends on the style of the author.
a. Couplet – it consists of two lines per stanza
b. Quartet – consists of four lines.
c. Cinquain – a peom consists of five lines per stanza
d. Sestet – consists of six lines.
e. Octave – consists of eight lines
f. Sonnet – although this is a kind of poem it consists of fourteen lines all in all.
g. Free Verse – it does not follow any form, meaning there is no measurement.
In the poem Archangel I am using cinquain.
C. Imagery – it pertain to the five sense in which the poem leaves an impression to create mental images.
The images created from this poem are:
Trumpets blaring – sense of sound
True bliss – sense of feeling/touch
From the desert parching – sense of taste
D. Poetic Devices – are devices used by the author to develop his/her poem.
Note: some of the above mentioned method are still part of the devices, yet I focus on the three for emphasis.
a. Alliteration – the repetition of the initial consonant sounds.
b. Assonance – the repetition of the same vowel sounds.
c. Onomatopoeia – the use of words which imitate sounds.
d. Rhyme – the use of same ending sounds
The devices used by the author are:
Onomatopoeia – trumpets blaring
Echoes resounding
Rhyme – resounding – wandering
Parching – waiting
E. Figurative Languages –
Simile – a comparison of two unlike objects with the emphasis of “as”, like”
Metaphor – a comparison of two unlike objects with the absence of as, like.
Personification – giving an inanimate object as if it were human.
Irony – a statement which is actually a reverse of its true intention.
Hyperbole – an exaggeration for special effect.
Here are some of the figurative languages used in the poem My Archangel:
Through arid lands plodding, for the rain waiting – hyperbole
Carnal thoughts may be unfulfilling, but it is fleeting – irony
Good luck! Enjoy reading poetry…
