1. Alliteration: Repetition of same consonant sound in the same verse. In this poem, line one and line nine repeat the consonant sounds of /s/ and d twice in the same verse respectively.
2. Capitalization: the poet capitalises certain words for greater emphasis. In this poem, line five and six capitalise the first letter of the words “Host” and “Flag” respectively.
3. Paradox: the first two lines of the poem are contradicting as they use both the terms of “success” and “failure”.
4. Enjambment: When the poet breaks a thought into several verses, for example, the first two lines of the poem.
5. Syncope: Omission of letters in a word, for example, in line two, the word “never” is written as “ne’er”, mitting the letter “v”.
6. Metaphor: The poet uses “nectar” as a metaphor for the sweetness of success.
7. Imagery: Dickson uses imagery in the last lines when she mentions the dying soldier in a battlefield.
8. Metonymy: A word used to represent a whole thing, for example, in this poem, the word “Flag” in line six represents victory and domination.

Success is counted sweetest Summary

1. Alliteration: The repetition of the same consonant sounds in the same verse is Alliteration. In this poem, “I grant I never saw a goddess go”, the sound of /g/is repeated thrice in the same verse.
2. Hyperbole: The poet emphases his lover’s hair as black wires.
3. Irony: The poem’s irony is revealed in the final couplets.
4. Simile: Comparison of two things, for example, the comparison of his mistress’s eyes to sun, and lips to coral.
5. Enjambment: Line breaks to complete one thought, for example, the last two lines display enjambment.

Sonnet 130 Summary