Analysis of Sonnet- Silence

Edgar Allan Poe 1809 (Boston) – 1849 (Baltimore)



There are some qualities- some incorporate things,
        That have a double life, which thus is made
      A type of that twin entity which springs
        From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.
      There is a two-fold Silence- sea and shore-
        Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,
        Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces,
      Some human memories and tearful lore,
      Render him terrorless: his name's "No More."
      He is the corporate Silence: dread him not!
        No power hath he of evil in himself;
      But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!)
        Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf,
      That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod
      No foot of man,) commend thyself to God!


Scheme ABABCDECCFGFGHH
Poetic Form Tetractys  (20%)
Metre 11110010101 1101011111 0111110011 110010101001 1101110101 10011101010 1011111010 1101000101 10111111 11010010111 11011110001 1111010101 111111101 110110111 111101111
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 753
Words 121
Sentences 7
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 15
Lines Amount 15
Letters per line (avg) 35
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 518
Words per stanza (avg) 116
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 13, 2023

36 sec read
339

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. more…

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