1. "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe (1845) - Romantic Period - Ballad/Narrative Poem
This poem is a classic example of using multiple literary devices effectively. It's a dark and atmospheric narrative poem often categorized as a ballad.
* Alliteration: "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary..."
* Assonance: "While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping..."
* Onomatopoeia: "Quoth the raven 'Nevermore.' "
* Metaphor: "And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting..." (The raven is a symbol of sorrow and loss)
* Meter: Poe uses a specific meter called "trochaic octameter" (8 syllables per line, alternating stressed/unstressed), which contributes to the poem's rhythmic and haunting effect.
* Symbolism: The raven itself is a powerful symbol of loss, despair, and the inability to escape grief.
* Rhyme: The poem uses an intricate AABB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme.
2. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost (1923) - Modern Period - Lyric Poem
Frost is known for his mastery of language, and this short poem beautifully illustrates that.
* Alliteration: "Whose woods these are I think I know."
* Assonance: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep..."
* Metaphor: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep..." (The woods are a metaphor for the mystery and allure of the unknown)
* Meter: This poem uses a specific meter called "iambic tetrameter" (4 syllables per line, alternating unstressed/stressed).
* Rhyme: This poem uses a simple AABA CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme.
* Rhythm: The poem has a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm that mirrors the speaker's contemplation.
3. "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost (1916) - Modern Period - Lyric Poem
Another poem by Robert Frost, this one explores themes of choice and uncertainty.
* Alliteration: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..."
* Simile: "I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence..." (The speaker compares telling the story to sighing, which is a common way to express regret)
* Metaphor: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..." (The roads are a metaphor for life's choices)
* Meter: This poem uses a specific meter called "iambic tetrameter" (4 syllables per line, alternating unstressed/stressed).
* Rhythm: The poem's rhythm helps to create a sense of deliberation and reflection.
* Symbolism: The two roads are a symbol of the choices we make in life, and the speaker's reflection on the path not taken suggests that we may always wonder about what could have been.
Important Note:
I chose these poems to showcase the versatility of literary devices. These are just a few examples of how the devices work in these poems, and there are many other ways to interpret and analyze them.
Remember, literary devices are tools that poets use to create meaning and evoke emotion. When analyzing a poem, it's important to consider how the devices work together to create the overall effect.