Thursday, June 26, 2014

Which literary devices does the poet use to emphasize the theme of the supernatural?

The poet uses many metaphors and personification to emphasize the theme of the supernatural. In Part I stanza 11, the speaker describes a ferocious storm that jostled his ship.

And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he
Was tyrannous and strong:
He struck with his o'ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.


The storm is given the pronoun "he" instead of it, as if it is a living being. The storm is being compared to some kind of intimidating bird that chases the ship with his "o'ertaking wings." This comparison creates a supernatural feel because the storm seems as though it is a sentient being that can think and strategize.

Personification is also used when speaking about the moon.


The moving Moon went up the sky,
And no where did abide:
Softly she was going up,
And a star or two beside—

Her beams bemocked the sultry main,
Like April hoar-frost spread;




The moon is also given a living pronoun, "she," and the moon moves and does not "abide" and her moon beams harassed the main mast of the ship, spreading down the mast, like a frost in April. The speaker describes the moon as if it is a sinister entity creeping down the mast of the ship.

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