This is an analysis of the poem Sonnet Xl: But Love that begins with:

But love whilst that thou mayst be lov'd again,
Now whilst thy May hath fill'd thy lap with flowers; ... 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: abaXacaccXccbX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 14,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: Shakespearean sonnet
  • Metre: 1111110101 11111111010 1111010101 1111011101 1111100101 01010110101 1111011101 1101110111 1111011101 11111111110 1101011101 11110111010 1111011101 11110100101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 668
  • Average number of words per stanza: 123
  • Amount of lines: 14
  • Average number of symbols per line: 47 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 9
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; thy, whilst, now, and are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words now, and are repeated.

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

  • summary of Sonnet Xl: But Love;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Samuel Daniel