The Spectrum by William Cosmo Monkhouse: poem analysis

This is an analysis of the poem The Spectrum that begins with:

HOW many colors here do we see set,
Like rings upon God’s finger? Some say three, ... 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: abbaa bXacdecde
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 5,9,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: sonnet with iambic pentameter or irregular meter
  • Metre: 1101011111 1101110111 1111110101 0101010100 1101111111 1111110111 1111011000 0101010111 0111010101 1111011101 1110010101 1110010011 11010100101 1101011111
  • Amount of stanzas: 2
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 293
  • Average number of words per stanza: 57
  • Amount of lines: 14
  • Average number of symbols per line: 41 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 8

  • Mood of the speaker:

    There are many exclamation marks in the poem. The speaker is excited. He or she has strong feelings on the subject that is described in the poem.

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

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

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

  • summary of The Spectrum;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by William Cosmo Monkhouse

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