This is an analysis of the poem The Nativity that begins with:

'Tis folly all--let me no more be told
Of Parian porticos, and roofs of gold;... 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:
  • Stanza lengths (in strings):
  • Closest metre:
  • Сlosest rhyme:
  • Сlosest stanza type:
  • Guessed form:
  • Metre:
  • Amount of stanzas: 14
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 580
  • Average number of words per stanza: 103
  • Amount of lines: 184
  • 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.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; of, and, he, my, not, i, thee are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words nothing, ye, the, all are repeated.

    The literary device anadiplosis is detected in two or more neighboring lines. The words/phrases unknown, none connect the lines.

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

  • summary of The Nativity;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by William Cowper