This is an analysis of the poem A Russian Tale that begins with:

The tsar our little father had grown old, very old. Now he could not even strangle a dove with his own hands. Sitting on his throne he was golden and...

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: X X X
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 1,1,1,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 011101011110111111010010011101011110110100111001110 1111101111100110001010110001010010110011101 00101110101100111111011010111110001010011011110010010110110101010001111010010100101101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 248
  • Average number of words per stanza: 48
  • Amount of lines: 3
  • Average number of symbols per line: 248 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 48
  • 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 A Russian Tale;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Zbigniew Herbert