What is the figure of speech in the first four lines used in the poem death the leveller
Answers
The poetic devices used in the poem "Death the leveller" by James Shirley are as follows:-
1. Metaphor - Used in lines 1-2 of stanza one, when he compares all the glorious events in man’s life with shadows and in line 2 of stanza two by comparing getting fame and glory with planting laurels.
2. Metonymy - Used in line 1 of second stanza, when the poet uses the word - "field" for wars that are fought on battlefields.
3. Transferred Epithet - Used by the poet in line 8 of the first stanza when he refers to the scythe and the spade as “poor”.
4. Personification - Used by the poet with respect to Death and Fate.
Answer:
Death the leveler – the figure of speech is 'Metaphor. Death is personified as an icy human being – figure of speech is personification. 'Sceptre and Crown' stands for King. The figure of speech is Metonymy.