This is an analysis of the poem To Alex. Cunningham, Esq., Writer, Edinburgh that begins with:

MY godlike friend—nay, do not stare,
You think the phrase is odd-like;... 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: abab cXcX dede fcfc gXgX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: trochaic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 11011111 1101011 11001000101 1101111 10110101 1101110 10110101 1110010 11111101 1101010 11100001 1101010 111101001 11010010 11110001 1001110 11011101 0101010 11111111 0110100
  • Amount of stanzas: 5
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 132
  • Average number of words per stanza: 22
  • Amount of lines: 24
  • Average number of symbols per line: 27 (strings are less long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 5
  • 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 To Alex. Cunningham, Esq., Writer, Edinburgh;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Robert Burns