Question

Edgar Allan Poe "To Helen"

What literary devices are found in these stanzas?
To the glory that was Greece,
And the grandeur that was Rome
Lo! in yon brilliant window-niche
How statue-like I see thee stand,
The agate lamp within thy hand!
Ah, Psyche, from the regions which
Are Holy-Land!

Answer 1

The poem "To Helen" by Edgar Allan Poe contains several literary devices in these stanzas, including:

Allusion: The first line alludes to the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, referencing their "glory" and "grandeur."

Imagery: The second stanza paints a vivid picture of Helen standing in a "brilliant window-niche" holding an "agate lamp." The imagery is vivid and helps the reader visualize the scene.

Personification: Helen is described as "statue-like," giving her human-like qualities of stillness and immobility.

Apostrophe: The speaker addresses Helen directly as "Ah, Psyche," even though she is not present, making an apostrophe.

Alliteration: The phrase "window-niche" contains repeated sounds of the letter "w," creating alliteration.

Inversion: The word order in the phrase "Are Holy-Land!" is inverted for emphasis, emphasizing the importance of the "Holy-Land."

These literary devices work together to create a rich and evocative image of Helen, highlighting her beauty and grace.

Answer 2

In Poe's 'To Helen,' literary devices include allusion, apostrophe, and synecdoche, referencing historical and mythological elements to enhance the poem's themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the stanzas from Edgar Allan Poe's 'To Helen', several literary devices can be identified. One such device is an allusion, which is a reference to another work or historical period. Poe references both Greece and Rome to evoke their former splendor, tapping into their well-known historical and cultural significance. Another device present is apostrophe, where he directly addresses an abstract idea or personification - in this case, Helen, as though she can respond. The phrase 'Ah, Psyche, from the regions which Are Holy-Land!' is also an allusion to Greek mythology and the tale of Psyche, suggesting a comparison between Helen and the mythological figure. Moreover, phrases like 'glory that was Greece' and 'grandeur that was Rome' involve synecdoche, using a part (glory and grandeur) to represent the whole (the entire civilizations of Greece and Rome).