The Highwayman Essay
Claudia Hsi
2/2/18
English IIII
The Highwayman Commentary
“The Highwayman,” is a poem published in 1906 by Alfred Noyes. It tells the story of a highwayman (thief), who falls in love with the landlord’s daughter, Bess. After gaining the suspicion of Tim, the two are put on the spot where their love is tested. Though the ending sacrifice was tragic, the star-crossed lovers come together on the same wintery night, repeating the cycle in the afterlife. The author was greatly influenced by the Romantic Movement during the creation of this poem and other famous works. Noyes claimed he was seeking to “follow the careless and happy feet of children back into the kingdom of those dreams which… are the sole reality worth living and dying for; those beautiful dreams, or those fantastic jests.” (https://thepoetryplace.wikispaces.com/Alfred+Noyes) There was also a point in time where he was criticized for the refusal to accept the Modernist Movement in literature, which was …show more content…
As stated before, Alfred Noyes uses comparison between each character’s appearances and personality in order to demonstrate pure love. By the way he had described Tim having eyes of madness and dirty hair, the audience can already gather that he’s very stomach churning, whether it’s mentally or physically. The highwayman tells Bess that he's going out to make a robbery, but should be back before morning. He promises, “One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night, But I shall be back with yellow gold before the morning light… I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.” What does the highwayman mean by ‘though hell should bar the way’? How does the Highwayman already know what’s going to happen? This also supports the idea that he’s trapped in an eternity with Bess. He clearly knows that there will be obstacles on his way
2/2/18
English IIII
The Highwayman Commentary
“The Highwayman,” is a poem published in 1906 by Alfred Noyes. It tells the story of a highwayman (thief), who falls in love with the landlord’s daughter, Bess. After gaining the suspicion of Tim, the two are put on the spot where their love is tested. Though the ending sacrifice was tragic, the star-crossed lovers come together on the same wintery night, repeating the cycle in the afterlife. The author was greatly influenced by the Romantic Movement during the creation of this poem and other famous works. Noyes claimed he was seeking to “follow the careless and happy feet of children back into the kingdom of those dreams which… are the sole reality worth living and dying for; those beautiful dreams, or those fantastic jests.” (https://thepoetryplace.wikispaces.com/Alfred+Noyes) There was also a point in time where he was criticized for the refusal to accept the Modernist Movement in literature, which was …show more content…
As stated before, Alfred Noyes uses comparison between each character’s appearances and personality in order to demonstrate pure love. By the way he had described Tim having eyes of madness and dirty hair, the audience can already gather that he’s very stomach churning, whether it’s mentally or physically. The highwayman tells Bess that he's going out to make a robbery, but should be back before morning. He promises, “One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night, But I shall be back with yellow gold before the morning light… I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.” What does the highwayman mean by ‘though hell should bar the way’? How does the Highwayman already know what’s going to happen? This also supports the idea that he’s trapped in an eternity with Bess. He clearly knows that there will be obstacles on his way