This is an analysis of the poem X. On Dover Cliffs. that begins with:

ON these white cliffs, that calm above the flood
Rear their o'er-shadowing heads, and at their feet ... 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: abbacddcbeebaa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 14,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: sonnet with iambic pentameter or irregular meter
  • Metre: 1111110101 111010011111 1101111101 11001010011 1101010101 11001010011 1111010111 0100011111 0101011101 1011111101 0111110101 1111010001 1101111001 0101010101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 668
  • Average number of words per stanza: 122
  • 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; he is repeated.

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

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

  • summary of X. On Dover Cliffs.;
  • 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 Lisle Bowles