This is an analysis of the poem To Helen that begins with:

Helen, thy beauty is to me
Like those Nicean barks of yore,... 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: ababb cdcdc effef
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 5,5,5,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: rondeau
  • Metre: 10110001 1110101 110100011 010101001 001101 110011101 110111101 1111111 0010111 1001111 10110101 11111111 01010111 11000101 1101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 190
  • Average number of words per stanza: 29
  • Amount of lines: 15
  • Average number of symbols per line: 38 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • 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; thy is repeated.

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

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

  • summary of To Helen;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Edgar Allan Poe