This is an analysis of the poem Who Knows? that begins with:
They say one king is mad. Perhaps. Who knows?
They say one king is doddering and grey.... 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: XaXa bcbc
- Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,
- Closest metre: iambic pentameter
- Сlosest rhyme: rima
- Сlosest stanza type: tercets
- Guessed form: ottava rima
- Metre: 1111010111 1111010011 1111011101 0101111111 0101001101 1111010111 11010100100 11001111101
- Amount of stanzas: 2
- Average number of symbols per stanza: 181
- Average number of words per stanza: 34
- Amount of lines: 8
- 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:
The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.
The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; they, one, king, and, say, their are repeated.
The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words they, their are repeated.
If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:
- summary of Who Knows?;
- central theme;
- idea of the verse;
- history of its creation;
- critical appreciation.
Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!
Pay attention: the program cannot take into account all the numerous nuances of poetic technique while analyzing. We make no warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability and suitability with respect to the information.
More information about poems by Vachel Lindsay
- Analysis of Where Is David, The Next King Of Israel?
- Analysis of What The Sexton Said
- Analysis of Genesis
