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What are the poetic devices used in the poem When I Was Fair and Young?

What are the poetic devices used in the poem When I Was Fair and Young?

1 Answer

  1. The following are the poetic devices used by Queen Elizabeth I in her poem “When I Was Fair and Young”

    • Alliteration:

    Alliteration is a literary device in which certain sounds are repeated at the beginning of words in a sentence or phrase.

    The poet has used this device in the following lines.

    Go, go, go, seek some other

    where; importune me no more.

    How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show

    • Metaphor:

    Metaphor is a literary device where two unrelated objects are compared to each other.

    The poet has used this device in the following lines.

    I will so pluck your plumes as you shall say no more:

    Here the speaker is compared to a bird.

    • Personification:

    Personification is a poetic device where animals, plants or even inanimate objects are given human qualities.

    The poet has used this device in the following lines.

    When I was fair and young, then favor graced me.

    Here, the “favour” of an abstract idea is personified.

    • Anaphora:

    Anaphora is a literary device that uses the repetition of short phrases or single words at the beginning of clauses or sentences to enhance rhythm.

    The poet has used this device in the first two lines of the second stanza.

    How many weeping eyes I made to pine in woe,

    How many sighing hearts I have not skill to show,

    Here, both the lines begin with the phrase “How many”.

    • Allusion:

    Allusion is an indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text.

    The poet has alluded to the God Venus and Cupid in the following lines.

    Then spake fair Venus’ son, that proud victorious boy,

    • Refrain:

    Refrain is a poetic device that uses repetition to place emphasis on a set of words or an idea within a poem.

    The poet has used this device in the following lines.

    Go, go, go, seek some other where; importune me no more.

     

    When I  Was Fair and Young Summary

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