Poets often use different literary terms in their poems (metaphors, similes, imagery, etc). Read the three poems you chose again, and find at least two literary devices in each. Give examples of the devices used. How do you think that the literary devices aid the poet in expressing his or her thoughts? For whom do you think that this poem was written (audience)? What would you say are the themes of the poems, and what do you think that the poet trying to say through the entire poem?
Essay guidelines
The essay should be no fewer than 1000 words.
The essay should include citations from the text.
The essay should NOT include information from any outside sources other than your textbook. You should include both inner citations and works cited page from the information in the textbook in MLA format.
Make sure that they answer the entire question and support their answers.
Reference:
Kennedy, X J, and Dana Giola. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing – MLA Updated – W/Access. 5TH ed., Pearson, 2016. (JUST INCLUDE PAGE NUMBERS FOR POETRY SELECTIONS PLEASE WITHIN THE REFERENCE)
Poetry Chosen 1: How Do I Love Thee? Let me Count the Ways p. 595
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
Elizabeth Barrett Browning – 1806-1861
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Poetry Chosen 2: My Mistress Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun p. 637
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun (Sonnet 130)
William Shakespeare – 1564-1616
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
Poetry Chosen 3: What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, and Where, and Why p. 522
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why (Sonnet XLIII)
Edna St. Vincent Millay – 1892-1950
What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.
