This is an analysis of the poem Behold This Swarthy Face that begins with:

BEHOLD this swarthy face--these gray eyes,
This beard--the white wool, unclipt upon my neck,... full text

Elements of the verse: questions and answers

The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems or improve your poetry analysis essay.

  • Rhyme scheme: aXXXXXXXa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 9,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 010101111 01011100111 11110101001011 1110100011011010110 1010011 1110100011101110 1001 1011010010011111 1111100110110
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 480
  • Average number of words per stanza: 81
  • Amount of lines: 9
  • Average number of symbols per line: 52 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 9
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; on is repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same word we is repeated.

If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:

  • summary of Behold This Swarthy Face;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Walt Whitman