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

WHEN in my shadowy hours I pierce the hidden heart of hopes and fears,
They change into immortal joys or end in immemorial tears. ...

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: aabb ccdd eeff
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: couplets
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 101100101101010111 11000101110101001 1001010110010101 01011000101010001 11110010111010101 1101010111010101 1111010110110101 1111010101010101 10010101110101001 1101000111010111 1111010111010100 1101010111110101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 268
  • Average number of words per stanza: 51
  • Amount of lines: 12
  • Average number of symbols per line: 67 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 13
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; in, of, and, my, i are repeated.

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

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

  • summary of The Everlasting Battle;
  • 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 William Russell