Question

Explain what effect the repetition of the line Brennan on the moor Brennan on the moor the bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the moor has on the meaning of the poem.

Answer 1

The repeated line 'Brennan on the moor...' in a poem emphasizes the character's significance, contributes to the poem's rhythm, creates a memorable musical quality, and highlights thematic elements like boldness and resilience.

Step-by-step explanation:

The repetition of the line 'Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, the bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the moor' in a poem serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it establishes a rhythm and reinforces the central character's presence and significance in the poem. Through this repetitive device, the poet emphasizes the iconic status of Brennan, portraying him as a heroic or notable figure against the backdrop of the moor. This insistence on his presence effectively etches his image into the reader’s mind, symbolizing perhaps his indomitable spirit or his constant, unchanging presence in a specific location or within popular memory.

Additionally, such repetition can create a kind of incantation or refrain that gives the poem a musical quality, thereby aiding in memorability and providing a structure within which the rest of the poem flows. This method of repeating a line can also be seen as emphasizing the thematic elements surrounding the character, such as boldness, daring, and resilience, as signified by the 'moor,' a vast, open, and often challenging landscape.

Answer 2

The repetition of the line, "Brennan on the moor/Brennan on the moor/bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the moor" in the opening and closing stanzas calls the reader to remember the name of the man in this epic-style poem as we begin and end his tragic story.

In the opening lines, the repetition is quite like a battle cry where the person spoken about is seen as our hero. As readers we repeat his name to honor him and call forth his story.
In the closing lines, the repetition is meant to be an homage to the hero of our poem who has died.