This is an analysis of the poem A Dialogue-Anthem that begins with:

Alas, poor Death! Where is thy glory?
Where is thy famous force, thy ancient sting?... 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: ab ab cX cc Xdd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 2,2,2,2,3,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 011110110 1011011101 011101010 1111111111 11111111 11101111110 11011111 11111 11111 1101110101 1111111011
  • Amount of stanzas: 5
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 85
  • Average number of words per stanza: 16
  • Amount of lines: 11
  • Average number of symbols per line: 38 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 7
  • 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 speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

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

    The author used the same word alas at the beginnings of some neighboring stanzas. The figure of speech is a kind of anaphora.

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

  • summary of A Dialogue-Anthem;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by George Herbert