This is an analysis of the poem On George Herbert's Poems that begins with:

WHAT are these leaves dark-spotted and acerb?
'A very holy herb.'...

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: XXXXXX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,
  • Closest metre: trochaic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1111110110 110101 0101110110 101111 1110011101 110100
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 207
  • Average number of words per stanza: 42
  • Amount of lines: 6
  • Average number of symbols per line: 34 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 7
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

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

  • summary of On George Herbert's Poems;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by James Thomson