This is an analysis of the poem Sonnet 104: Envious Wits that begins with:

Envious wits, what hath been mine offense,
That with such poisonous care my looks you mark, ... 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: abba abba aca cdd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,3,3,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: limerick
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: sonnet with iambic pentameter or irregular meter
  • Metre: 1001110101 10110011111 1011110111 1101110100 1001011111 1111110101 0101100101 11001111111 1011010101 0111011101 1101110101 1101111101 0111110111 1101111001
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 151
  • Average number of words per stanza: 29
  • Amount of lines: 14
  • Average number of symbols per line: 43 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; thence, but are repeated.

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

    The literary device anadiplosis is detected in two or more neighboring lines. The word/phrase thence connects the lines.

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

  • summary of Sonnet 104: Envious Wits;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Sir Philip Sidney