This is an analysis of the poem Xii: An Epitaph that begins with:
Stay, if you list, O passer by the way;
Yet night approaches; better not to stay.... 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: aabbcc
- Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,
- Closest metre: iambic pentameter
- Сlosest rhyme: couplets
- Сlosest stanza type: tercets
- Guessed form: heroic couplets
- Metre: 1011110101 1101010101 1101111101 1101111111 1011110101 1011010111
- Amount of stanzas: 1
- Average number of symbols per stanza: 259
- Average number of words per stanza: 51
- Amount of lines: 6
- Average number of symbols per line: 42 (strings are more long than medium ones)
- 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; nor is repeated.
If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:
- summary of Xii: An Epitaph;
- central theme;
- idea of the verse;
- history of its creation;
- critical appreciation.
Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!
Pay attention: the program cannot take into account all the numerous nuances of poetic technique while analyzing. We make no warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability and suitability with respect to the information.
More information about poems by Alfred Edward Housman
- Analysis of Xxviii: Now Dreary Dawns The Eastern Light
- Analysis of Xxiii: Crossing Alone The Nighted Ferry
- Analysis of Xlvii: For My Funeral