Question

The sea! the sea! the open sea! The blue, the fresh, the ever free! Without a mark, without a bound, It runneth the earth's wide regions round; It plays with the clouds; it mocks the skies, Or like a cradled creature lies. –"Song of the Sea," Barry Cornwall What are examples of personification in the first stanza of "Song of the Sea”? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

There are several examples of personification in the first stanza of "Song of the Sea." These include:

The sea "plays with the clouds" - this gives the sea human-like qualities of playfulness and perhaps even mischievousness.

The sea "mocks the skies" - this also gives the sea human-like qualities of teasing or taunting.

The sea "lies like a cradled creature" - this gives the sea a quality of being gentle and nurturing, like a baby being cradled.

Therefore, the correct answers are:

The sea "plays with the clouds"

The sea "mocks the skies"

The sea "like a cradled creature lies

Answer 2

There are two examples of personification in the first stanza of "Song of the Sea":

"It plays with the clouds" - The sea is given the human ability to play, which is a personification.
"It mocks the skies" - The sea is given the human ability to mock, which is also a personification.