This is an analysis of the poem The Hemlock Tree. (From The German) that begins with:

O Hemlock tree! O hemlock tree! how faithful are thy branches!
Green not alone in summer time,... 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: abXa BccB DaaD effe
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 111111111101110 11010101 10010111 111111111101110 110111011100110 01100100 11100100 110111011100110 010001001111010 11110111 10010101 010001001111010 0111011101001111 01111101 010011101 011101110100111
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 192
  • Average number of words per stanza: 34
  • Amount of lines: 16
  • Average number of symbols per line: 47 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 9
  • 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; o, tree, hemlock, maiden, fair, nightingale, brook, meadow are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words o, the are repeated.

    The author used the same words o, the 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 The Hemlock Tree. (From The German);
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow