Verified Document

Poetic Elements In Three Spiritual Poems Biblical Essay

¶ … Poetic Elements in Three Spiritual Poems Biblical poetry (50): Both Sample Poem 1 and 2 could be considered examples of biblical poetry, as both Thomas and Hopkins explore themes relating to divinity, spirituality and faith. Hopkins' poem "God's Grandeur" in particular demonstrates the tenets of biblical poetry.

Figurative language (161): Each of the sample poems contains numerous examples of figurative language, as this is a cornerstone of poetic expression. In Sample Poem 1, for example, Thomas writes that "my youth is bent by the same wintry fever," even though youth cannot be bent and winter cannot be feverish.

Figure of speech (161):

Implied author (208):

Implied reader (208):

Rhetorical figure (391):

Structural Elements

Rhyme (392): Out of the three sample poems provided, the use of rhyme is most evident in Sample Poem 2, as Hopkins writes "It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;/It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil/Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?/Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;/And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;/And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil/Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod."

Rhythm (392): Each of the three sample poems demonstrates a particular sense of rhythm, as this is an...

In Sample Poem 2, for example, Hopkins stresses two syllables consecutively in the fourth line of the poem, "Why do men then now not reck his rod?," which serves to heighten the urgency of the question being posed to the reader.
Repetition (387): In the fifth line of the first stanza of Sample Poem 2, Hopkins writes "Generations have trod, have trod, have trod." This repetition of the phrase "have trod" is a structural element designed to emphasize the depth or scope of the poet's rhetorical focus -- in this case, the age old struggle of humanity aspiring but failing to reach its godly origins.

Refrain (383): A example of refrain -- in which a word, phrase or line is repeated at intervals -- can be found in Sample Poem 1, when Thomas asks "how" about something previously mentioned in the second, third, fourth and fifth stanzas.

Anaphora (16): This term describes the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of two or more lines of poetry, and this structural element can be found in Sample Poem 1, when Dylan Thomas begins the fourth line of every stanza with the phrase "And I am dumb to…" Thomas also employs anaphora in the opening line of his first two stanzas, beginning with "The force that…"

Chiasmus (69): No examples of chiasmus -- or the inverse repetition of words…

Sources used in this document:
References

Tate, W.R. (2012). Handbook for Biblical Interpretation: An Essential Guide to Methods,

Terms, and Concepts. Baker Books.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Memoriam Tennyson in Memoriam by
Words: 1710 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Indeed, this is also clear in his occupation with both scientific, philosophical, and literary things. Being human in a well-rounded and complete way, despite the conflict he experiences regarding this, is the poet's triumph. The conflict indicated in the poem is one that Lord Tennyson has experienced throughout his life, according to authors such as Andrew Lang. Indeed, as a boy he was continually investigating even early theories of evolution,

Comparative Study Between Homer's Odyssey and the Coen Brothers O...
Words: 11490 Length: 30 Document Type: Thesis

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Homer in Hollywood: The Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? Could a Hollywood filmmaker adapt Homer's Odyssey for the screen in the same way that James Joyce did for the Modernist novel? The idea of a high-art film adaptation of the Odyssey is actually at the center of the plot of Jean-Luc Godard's 1963 film Contempt, and the Alberto Moravia novel on which Godard's film is

Meeting of Opposites John Milton's
Words: 3405 Length: 10 Document Type: Thesis

As the other demons obey Lucifer's call, Milton describes how these are false gods, who were once worshiped but now have been transformed into terrible beings -- such as Moloch, once worshiped as a god, now a devil who demands human sacrifice. This is the kind of transformation that Milton uses to tell his story: This is an archetypal story of how the lightness is made dark. His description

Creation Narrative Analysis of Genesis Myth or History or Myth and...
Words: 15782 Length: 50 Document Type: Term Paper

Creation Myth Analysis Case Study of the History of Biblical Creation Narratives What Is Myth? What Is History? Manetho Josephus Jeroboam Is Genesis 1:1-2:4 Myth? Is Genesis 1:1-2:4 History? Is Genesis 1:1-2:4 Both Myth and History? An Analysis of the Biblical Creation Narrative of Genesis 1:1-25 and Egypt's Possible Influence on the Historical Record God created the world in just six days, and rested on the seventh, but scholars have not rested at all over the millennia in their investigation of

Pierre Schaeffer's Musique Concrete Pierre
Words: 8641 Length: 25 Document Type: Term Paper

The basic materials might include tin cans, fragments of speech, a cough, canal boats chugging or natural snatches of Tibetan chant (all these are in a work called Etude Pathetique). Musical instruments are not taboo: one piece used a flute that was both played and struck. Differences in balance or performance can also be used to extend the range of materials. All of this is very similar to the way

Persona Christi an Analysis of the Priesthood
Words: 5507 Length: 17 Document Type: Essay

Persona Christi An Analysis of the Priesthood "in persona Christi" and "in nominee ecclesiae" The questions that surround the functions of the priesthood and the diaconate today appear to be part and parcel of the greater uncertainty that surrounds ancient Church customs. This paper will attempt to analyze the meanings of the phrases "in persona Christi" and "in nomine ecclesiae" as they have reflected the functions of the ministers of the

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now