1. Metaphor:
* "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep." This is a powerful metaphor. The "woods" are a representation of the allure of a life of peace and tranquility, a life where one can be free from obligations. However, the speaker resists this temptation, implying that duty and responsibility are more important than personal desires.
2. Personification:
* "And miles to go before I sleep." While miles cannot literally "sleep," the personification suggests the vastness of the speaker's journey and the long way they have to go before achieving rest.
3. Imagery:
* "The woods are lovely, dark and deep." Frost uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the woods as a place of beauty and mystery, contrasting with the speaker's internal conflict.
* "And miles to go before I sleep." The phrase evokes a sense of endlessness and the speaker's fatigue.
4. Symbolism:
* The stars. While not mentioned directly, the title of the poem suggests that the stars symbolize guidance, hope, or perhaps even the speaker's aspirations.
* The woods. As mentioned earlier, the woods symbolize a life of freedom and ease, contrasting with the speaker's responsibilities.
5. Repetition:
* "And miles to go before I sleep." The repetition of this line emphasizes the speaker's commitment and reinforces the theme of duty.
Overall:
The beauty of "Stars" lies in its simplicity. Frost uses a few carefully chosen figures of speech to create a powerful and evocative piece that resonates with readers. The poem's themes of duty, responsibility, and the struggle between desire and obligation are made more profound through the use of these literary devices.