This is an analysis of the poem On Browning’s Sordello that begins with:

“SORDELLO'S story,” the Sphinx yawned and said,
“Who would has heard.” Is that enough? Who could, ... 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: aaaaaaaa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: limerick
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 1001001111 1111010111 1101011101 1101011100 1111110101 0111001101 101011100110 1011110111
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 356
  • Average number of words per stanza: 64
  • Amount of lines: 8
  • Average number of symbols per line: 44 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; who, has are repeated.

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

  • summary of On Browning’s Sordello;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Dante Gabriel Rossetti