This extract is not a poem. Even then, it has a myriad of poetic devices, some of which are as follows:

1. Metaphor: One example would be the phrase ‘penalty of Adam’ which is used to draw a parallel to the Duke Senior’s own banishment.
2. Alliteration: Some examples would be ‘painted pomp’, ‘churlish chiding’, and ‘Sermons in stones’.
3. Simile: The line ‘Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous’ compares adversity to that of an ugly, poisonous toad with the usage of the word ‘like’.
4. Allusion: ‘penalty of Adam’ is a biblical allusion where Adam’s exile alludes to Duke Senior’s banishment.

Sweet are the uses of adversity Summary