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What are the poetic devices used in the poem Success is counted sweetest?

What are the poetic devices used in the poem Success is counted sweetest?

1 Answer

  1. This answer was edited.
    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

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