Final answer:
Poets use personification to compare branches to human qualities, enriching the imagery and suggesting an interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Branches are compared to the hair of a mermaid, while daffodils are described as dancing, and willow branches are said to sing.
Step-by-step explanation:
In literature, particularly poetry, authors often employ metaphors to draw vivid comparisons between different elements. From the examples provided, poets compare branches and various other natural elements to human qualities and vice versa. This literary device, known as personification, ascribes human characteristics to non-human objects or concepts to enhance the reader's connection to the imagery presented.
For instance, in the verses cited, branches are likened to things with human attributes, such as in the phrase '…as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden.' Here, the yellow roses of a tree are compared to the golden hair of a mythical mermaid, suggesting a sense of wonder and splendor. Similarly, when daffodils are personified as 'tossing their heads in sprightly dance,' the plants are endowed with the ability to dance cheerily, much like people might in a state of joy. The poem 'Epitaph' describes willow branches that 'sang,' attributing the ability to produce song, a characteristically human action, to the willow tree. Furthermore, branches of a cherry tree are described as being 'hung with bloom along the bough,' evoking an image of the branches adorned in a manner similar to a person elegantly dressed for a special occasion.
The juxtaposition of human and natural characteristics gives readers a deeper appreciation for nature, imbuing it with life and spirit that they can relate to and feel emotionally attached to. Such comparisons in poetry often highlight the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world, suggesting a shared existence and experience.