Question

Step 3: Practice Structural Analysis

Complete your own analysis of the structure of the following poem. NOTE: refer to the Poetic Form playlist if
need help identifying the form used by Longfellow.
"Mezzo Cammin" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Half of my life is gone, and I have let
The years slip from me and have not fulfilled
The aspiration of my youth, to build
Some tower of song with lofty parapet.
Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret
of restless passions that would not be stilled,
But sorrow, and a care that almost killed,
Kept me from what I may accomplish yet;
Though, half-way up the hill, I see the Past
Notes on Structure

Answer 1

Analysis of Longfellow's 'Mezzo Cammin' involves examining the poem's Petrarchan sonnet form, iambic pentameter, and the shift from contemplation of the past to hope for the future.

Step-by-step explanation:

When analyzing Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Mezzo Cammin," it is helpful to look at its form, structure, and stylistic elements to understand how they contribute to the poem's meaning. This poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, which is typically divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines) with a volta, or turn, in thought or argument between them. The orderly structure of the sonnet mirrors the reflection on the past life and the contemplation of the future. The use of iambic pentameter provides a rhythmic, measured pace that conveys a sense of solemnity and introspection.

Moreover, by closely examining the poem's rhymes, meter, diction, and tone shifts, we gain insight into the speaker's regret and hope. The ending of the poem and the shift it presents are particularly important for interpreting the overall message that although half of life might be over, there is still potential for achievement.