What Is Poe's Use Of Figurative Language In The Poem To Helen
Considering such elements as speaker, diction, imagery, form, and tone, write a well-organized essay in which you contrast the speakers’ views of Helen.
In the poems, "Helen", and "To Helen", by H.D. and Edgar Allan Poe, both authors portray their contrasting views of Helen of Troy. In these poems, both authors acknowledge Helen's physical beauty, a quality that she is known for in the ancient world. However, this proves to be the only comparison between these two perceptions. Based on Poe's poem, it appears his view is coming from a loving, and tender place. He admires Helen's existence, and continues to praise her. On the other hand, H.D. speaks of Helen in a disdainful and negative way. These poems articulate these messages through the use of figurative language.
In the poem , "To Helen", Poe praises Helen and conveys her as an angelic individual. He emphasizes her looks through imagery and he describes her "hyacinth hair", and "classic face", as he compares her beauty to that of Ancient Greece, his home. It's without a doubt that Poe admires Helen, as this poem appears to be an oath to her. Poe …show more content…
The second stanza states, "All Greece reviles the wan face when she smiles". This quote alone creates the idea that Helen is an unwanted, and criticized individual. It proves that her presence isn't admired, nor appreciated, contrasting with Poe's view entirely. Also, the poem opens with, "All Greece hates the still eyes in the white face", representing Helen. "All Greece", representing an entire population, homeland, and civilization. Not only that, when he acknowledges her beauty, he does so in an unfortunate way. He states, "the beauty of cool feet", articulating that it's a beauty that is not appreciated in the sense that it traditionally is. The above expressions convey H.D.'s opinion clearly, that he sees Helen in a light that is negative, unfortunate, and
In the poems, "Helen", and "To Helen", by H.D. and Edgar Allan Poe, both authors portray their contrasting views of Helen of Troy. In these poems, both authors acknowledge Helen's physical beauty, a quality that she is known for in the ancient world. However, this proves to be the only comparison between these two perceptions. Based on Poe's poem, it appears his view is coming from a loving, and tender place. He admires Helen's existence, and continues to praise her. On the other hand, H.D. speaks of Helen in a disdainful and negative way. These poems articulate these messages through the use of figurative language.
In the poem , "To Helen", Poe praises Helen and conveys her as an angelic individual. He emphasizes her looks through imagery and he describes her "hyacinth hair", and "classic face", as he compares her beauty to that of Ancient Greece, his home. It's without a doubt that Poe admires Helen, as this poem appears to be an oath to her. Poe …show more content…
The second stanza states, "All Greece reviles the wan face when she smiles". This quote alone creates the idea that Helen is an unwanted, and criticized individual. It proves that her presence isn't admired, nor appreciated, contrasting with Poe's view entirely. Also, the poem opens with, "All Greece hates the still eyes in the white face", representing Helen. "All Greece", representing an entire population, homeland, and civilization. Not only that, when he acknowledges her beauty, he does so in an unfortunate way. He states, "the beauty of cool feet", articulating that it's a beauty that is not appreciated in the sense that it traditionally is. The above expressions convey H.D.'s opinion clearly, that he sees Helen in a light that is negative, unfortunate, and