This is an analysis of the poem Sonnet Xxx: O'Er The Tall Cliff that begins with:

O'er the tall cliff that bounds the billowy main
Shad'wing the surge that sweeps the lonely strand,... 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: abbaabbacdXdcd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 14,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: limerick
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: sonnet with iambic pentameter or irregular meter
  • Metre: 100111101001 1001110101 1011010101 1100010101 0111010101 11110101001 1011110101 0110000111 0101010101 0101010101 11010111010 1111111101 1011111111 1101110111
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 637
  • Average number of words per stanza: 111
  • Amount of lines: 14
  • Average number of symbols per line: 45 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • 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.

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

  • summary of Sonnet Xxx: O'Er The Tall Cliff;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Mary Darby Robinson