This is an analysis of the poem An Epitaph that begins with:

On a monument formed as a curving wave
By ceaseless waves, that break and waste,... 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: X XXaa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 1,4,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: cinquain
  • Metre: 10100110101 11011111 110010100 10110101 11010001
  • Amount of stanzas: 2
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 87
  • Average number of words per stanza: 16
  • Amount of lines: 5
  • Average number of symbols per line: 34 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

  • summary of An Epitaph;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by John Le Gay Brereton