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He clasp the crag with his crooked hands by Alfred, Lord Tennyson — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

He clasp the crag with his crooked hands Close to the sun in lonely hands Ring'd with the azure world, he stands The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls He watches from his mountain wall And like a thunderbolt he falls

Translation (English)

He grips the rock with his bent hands Near the sun in lonely places Surrounded by the blue sky, he stands The wrinkled sea below him moves slowly He watches from his mountain wall And like a lightning bolt he falls

About the Poet

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Victorian Era)

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, was an English poet and the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign. His works include famous poems such as 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' and 'In Memoriam A.H.H.'.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Lyric Poem
When Written
Published in 1851
Background
The poem 'The Eagle' is a short piece that reflects Tennyson's fascination with nature and the majestic imagery of an eagle. It captures the power and solitude of the eagle as a symbol of strength and freedom.

Sources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45322/the-eagle-56d224c9a41d1, https://medium.com/struggle-first-thrive-later/managing-uncertainty-b6c55004e0f7, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred,_Lord_Tennyson

Detailed Explanation

The poem 'The Eagle' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is a vivid depiction of an eagle perched high on a crag. The eagle is described as being close to the sun, emphasizing its lofty position and solitary nature. The phrase 'Ring'd with the azure world' suggests that the eagle is surrounded by the vast blue sky, highlighting its dominance over the natural world. The sea beneath is described as 'wrinkled,' which conveys a sense of age and continuity, contrasting with the eagle's sharp and sudden movements. The final line, 'And like a thunderbolt he falls,' captures the sudden, powerful descent of the eagle, symbolizing its strength and the dramatic nature of its actions. The poem uses imagery and metaphor to convey the majesty and power of the eagle, reflecting Tennyson's appreciation for the natural world.

Themes

  • Nature
  • Power
  • Solitude

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the eagle and its surroundings create a strong visual impact.
  • Metaphor: The eagle's fall is compared to a thunderbolt, emphasizing its power and speed.
  • Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as in 'clasp the crag,' enhances the poem's musical quality.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
clasp hold tightly hold tightly klasp
crag rocky cliff rocky cliff krag
crooked bent bent krook-ed
azure blue blue azh-er
wrinkled creased creased ring-kld
crawls moves slowly moves slowly krawls
thunderbolt lightning lightning thun-der-bolt

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