This short little poem is loaded with literary devices
that connect to the overall intention of the poem which is to present the majesty of an
eagle. Here are few of note:
- the claws of the
eagle are compared to hands that "clasp" which suggests strength. The sound device in
that first line is alliteration -- the repetition of the hard "c" sound in "clasps"
"crag" "crooked" all conjure his harsh and strong
claws. - As he stands alone on the crag of rock, he is
looking down on a "wrinkled sea" that "crawls." From above, that is exactly how the sea
would look. - In the last line, his take-off and flight
down are compared to a "thunderbolt" which suggests sudden energy and power.
- Each of the 2 3-line stanzas contains one end rhyme
sound which unifies the image of each stanza. - Here is
another example of alliteration ( ie. lonely
lands) - Here is an example of consonance
(wrinkled
crawls) - Here is an example
of assonance (sea
beneath) - All of the sound
devices unify the language of the image. - The meter is
iambic tetrameter which is a short and melodic meter, especially when the poet also uses
end rhyme which creates unity in the
poem.
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