This is an analysis of the poem The Dead-Beat that begins with:

He dropped, - more sullenly than wearily,
Lay stupid like a cod, heavy like meat, ... 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: abbXcddX dcdXcaX XeX eX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,7,3,2,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 1111001100 1101011011 1101111001 1111010100 1001010111 1101011111 11011101011 110011 0111 1101110111 10010101101 1101010000 1001111001 01110101000 0111111101 1111111001 1001110111 10001010111 1111011101 1111111110
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 218
  • Average number of words per stanza: 39
  • Amount of lines: 20
  • 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 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 The Dead-Beat;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Wilfred Owen