Analysis of The Warning

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749 (Frankfurt) – 1832 (Weimar)



WHEN sounds the trumpet at the Judgment Day,
And when forever all things earthly die,
We must a full and true account supply
Of ev'ry useless word we dropp'd in play.
But what effect will all the words convey
Wherein with eager zeal and lovingly,
That I might win thy favour, labour'd I,
If on thine ear alone they die away?
Therefore, sweet love, thy conscience bear in mind,
Remember well how long thou hast delay'd,
So that the world such sufferings may not know.
If I must reckon, and excuses find
For all things useless I to thee have said,
To a full year the Judgment Day will grow


Scheme ABBAACBADEFDGF
Poetic Form
Metre 1101010101 0101011101 1101010101 111011101 1101110101 0111010100 11111111 1111011101 111110101 0101111101 11011100111 1111000101 1111011111 1011010111
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 582
Words 112
Sentences 4
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14
Lines Amount 14
Letters per line (avg) 33
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 460
Words per stanza (avg) 110
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

34 sec read
122

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer and politician. more…

All Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poems | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Books

4 fans

Discuss this Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Warning" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/21884/the-warning>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    23
    hours
    39
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    From Ralph Waldo Emerson’s The Test, “Sunshine cannot _____ the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know.
    A bleach
    B reach
    C leach
    D beseech