This is an analysis of the poem Aien Aristeuein (Motto Of St. Andrews University) that begins with:

Ever to be the best. To lead
In whatsoever things are true; ... 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: abbacdcd eccefdfd gaagcdcd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: ballad stanza
  • Metre: 10000101 01010111 11010101 01010101 11010101 01010001 11110101 110001 11000101 11110101 11010101 10110101 11011001 010010011 11110101 110001 11110001 11010101 10100101 11000101 01111111 11011101 01111101 110001
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 267
  • Average number of words per stanza: 51
  • Amount of lines: 24
  • Average number of symbols per line: 33 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; of is repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same word and is repeated.

    The poet repeated the same word best at the end of some neighboring stanzas. The poetic device is a kind of epiphora.

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

  • summary of Aien Aristeuein (Motto Of St. Andrews University);
  • 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 Fuller Murray