The Tide Is Full The Moon Lies Fair Poem Analysis

Question 1:

The tone that is created in the first six lines of the poem is one of tranquility. This is shown by the line, “The tide is full, the moon lies fair” (Line 2). This line demonstrates the calm and still feeling one gets at this point in the poem. Another way to determine that the tone is a tranquil one is to reflect on the fact that there are no sound devices being used, only imagery. This silence adds to the calm feeling of these six lines. The tone of the first six lines of the poem can also be described as positive and uplifting as the speaker is describing the scenery to be beautiful. It is very clear that the speaker finds the scenery beautiful when he expresses his wish to share this beauty with his companion in the line “Come to the window, sweet is the night-air!” (Line 6). The punctuation and further more enjambment in this poem slows it down and creates an effect that is quite like the motion of the ocean in the way that it ebbs and flows like waves. These six lines also make use of another poetic device, this one being alliteration. The alliteration can be identified in the line “Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,” (Line 4), as the phrase “Gleams and is gone”. This poetic device gives these lines another thing of beauty as the light “Gleams”.

Question 2:

The metaphor in the third stanza can be identified as “The Sea of Faith” (Line 21). This “Sea” represents the faith and religion of the world. In the same way that seas are