One of the main themes in this poem is love and death. The woman is caught in this web of violence, and the only way she knows how to save the highwayman is to cause violence to herself and end her own life. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 They had tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest. The Highwayman has iambic/anapaestic hexameter (sometimes called the alexandrine, with 6/7 stresses) in the long lines of each stanza, and the shorter lines are mostly iambic/trochaic trimeter/tetrameter (2/3/4 stresses). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Just like in the past, when the two were alive, he tries to get into the inn. Through repetition and figurative language, Noyes creates a rich atmosphere for his doomed lovers. The tip of one finger touched it. She kills herself for love. 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes is a dramatic tale of love, death, and romance, popularized by its Romantic style and critique of modernism. Indeed, their only reason for being there is to kill the highwayman. This poem is all about the affection of the highwayman over Bess, the daughter of an innkeeper. Notable works include'The Highwayman'and'In the Cool of the Evening.'. She hears the highwaymans horses footsteps, and she pulls the trigger, killing herself and thus warning the highwayman of danger. They gag the girl and tie her up near the bed with a musket under her breast. She moves as quietly as possible, trying to keep the men from hearing her. The poem The Highwayman is about a bandit called the Highwayman. Besss mind is on her doomed man who she recalls saying Watch for me by moonlight. He also wears skin-tight trousers and thigh-high boots! She would not strive again, the third line says. He promises that he will be back by moonlight. This means that he has some robbing that he plans on accomplishing that night, and then hell be back with the sunrise. Another big symbol is the musket that killed both Bess and the highwayman. https://poemanalysis.com/alfred-noyes/the-highwayman/, Poems covered in the Educational Syllabus. Explore a summary of the story, analyzing the poetry and themes within. %PDF-1.5 The repetition of the words inn-door, cocked-hat, to-night, and love-knot shows what is important to the landlord. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Amanda Knapp has taught and tutoredEnglish at the college level for overten years. Let's take a closer look at the first stanza: This is a classic mix of iamb (daDUM) and anapaest (dadaDUM) which combine to produce a rising familiar rhythm, with the stress coming on the second and third syllables respectively. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. What do these metaphors mean in the poem "The Highwayman"? succeed. The repetition of the words riding, twinkle, daughter, or moonlight reinforces the highwayman's priorities. As Bess died for her love of him, so he dies for love of her. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem. In the sixth stanza, there is the sound of horsehoofs ringing clear. No matter what, hell come back. Although it's unclear as to whether he actually betrays the ill-fated lovers or not, he does overhear them in the dark, so the reader is led to believe that he is the one who gives away their secret. The landlord's black-eyed daughter, Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there. love and betrayal, sacrifice and innocence. Hed a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin. God Sees the Truth, But Waits by Leo Tolstoy | Summary, Symbolism & Analysis, What is a Ballad Poem? literary devices are tools that enable the writers to present their ideas, emotions, and feelings by using persuasive language. The west is often used to represent death and the afterlife as that is the direction in which the sun sets. The highwayman's famous 'riding--riding--riding' pattern is only one example of the poem's repetition. In the third stanza of part 1 of the poem, the highwayman and his horse approach the inn where the landlord's daughter lives. The poet uses strong imagery, much repetition, rhythm and full rhyme to reinforce the storyline. It was meant to be a ballad, although it's tragic at the end. << /Linearized 1 /L 85112 /H [ 722 143 ] /O 8 /E 71904 /N 2 /T 84822 >> The tension is building in these lines as the poem reaches its climax. II He scarce could reach her hand. Red is the symbol of blood. They do not talk to the landlord and only drink his ale. The repetition of the words galleon, breeches, cobbles, and cascade emphasizes the dreary setting. Repetition is evident when it comes to the word 'moonlight,' which can be found in sets of three in five different stanzas. The woman, however, shows courage when she battles to try to free her hands. The shot warns him that something is wrong and he runs. Explore a summary of the story, analyzing the poetry. Was he expecting a welcome from the landlord? The Highwayman is a poem written by Alfred Noyes in 1913. ALLITERATION Over the Cobbles he CLattered and CLashed in the dark inn-yard, ALLITERATION He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there METAPHOR The wind was a torrent of darkness METAPHOR The second to last stanza of this section of the poem contains the words of the highwayman. They also snickered at the woman when they tied her up. The action focuses on the lives and deaths of the two main characters, a highwayman, or robber, and his lover, the daughter of the landlord, Bess. As with metaphors, they are a form of figurative language. All Rights Reserved. These lines are almost word for word those that came at the beginning of the poem. He can smell her perfume. Another example of repetition in the poem occurs in the following lines: ''For the road lay bare in the moonlight; And the blood of her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her loves refrain.''. It occurs when a line is cut off before its natural stopping point. The road is an important part of the poem that plays a major role later on. Continue with Recommended Cookies. VII.Tlot-tlot, in the frosty silence! Strangely, or logically, Tim is only mentioned once, in the fourth stanza, but his role appears to be pivotal. % The sixth stanza describes his actions once more. . To warn him that the men were after him, Bess killed herself. And still of a winters night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,A highwayman comes ridingRidingridingA highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door. Create your account, 14 chapters | The highwayman tells Bess that he's going out to make a robbery, but should be back before morning. They gagged his daughter and bound her to the narrow bed. Noyes employs multiple poetic devices in this poem. All rights reserved. Noyes makes use of several poetic techniques in The Highwayman. << /Type /XRef /Length 62 /Filter /FlateDecode /DecodeParms << /Columns 5 /Predictor 12 >> /W [ 1 3 1 ] /Index [ 4 20 ] /Info 15 0 R /Root 6 0 R /Size 24 /Prev 84823 /ID [] >> Bess is there just as she used to be, except now they are both dead. The analysis of some of the literary devices used in this poem has been given below. Alliteration - the repetition of consonant sounds, usually at . The lovers are betrayed by a jealous stablehand, and soldiers attempt to trap the highwayman by taking Bess hostage. The poem suggests that they are eternally united after death. Every single person that visits Poem Analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. God Sees the Truth, But Waits by Leo Tolstoy | Summary, Symbolism & Analysis, What is a Ballad Poem? Death is associated with love in this poem, a common motif in literature and poetry. One has to move forward in order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence. The next day he finds out what happens and rides towards the Redcoats and is shot. Explanation: "The Highwayman" is a poem written by Alfred Noyes. Examples in ''The Highwayman'' are as follows: Similes occur when a writer draws a comparison using the words like or as. The muse in literature is a source of inspiration for the writer. XI.Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard.He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred.He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting thereBut the landlord's black-eyed daughter,Bess, the landlord's daughter,Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair. As the stable-wicket creaked (a wicket is a door or gate), he is there in the dark listening as the highwayman arrives to get in touch with Bess. The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door. It is said that the highwayman continues to go to the window, and his love continues to plait her hair. These lines describe how after the events of the poem that the ghosts of the two lovers still reappear around the inn. There is no mention of a commanding officer being present to instil discipline. Despite the traditional Edwardian style, it's a popular poem still, loved by children and adults alike. The trigger at least was hers! the last line declares. The inn is haunted by Bess and the highwayman. This gives the poem an especially sad tone. It is night-time, in the trees the wind was a torrent of darkness, the moon a ghostly galleon tossed and the road a ribbon of moonlightthis is a powerful introduction to a dramatic, gothic backdrop. This is not a good sign, especially considering the determination he showed in the previous stanzas. Hed a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin.They fitted with never a wrinkle. Gothic Romanticism is a subgenre of Romanticism and often deals with dark themes. He rides into the inn in the middle of the night to tell her that hes going robbing and will come back the next day no matter what. He is in love with her. The fourth stanza introduces the third character into the poem, Tim the ostler. There is hell at every window, meaning that from any the highwayman could be shot and killed. The word twinkle is used three times in the last three lines to describe his pistols, rapier, and general aspect. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. His ghost returns on wintry nights, bound for the same inn-door. The shortest line has two trochees (DUMda), falling feet. I feel like its a lifeline. It was included the following year in Forty Singing Seamen and Other Poems. "The Highwayman" is a ballad poem written by the author, Alfred Noyes. Pauses in a line, where the reader stops momentarily, usually through punctuation. At dawn, however, he hears of her death, and with his rapier ''brandished high'' he takes off to join her in death and is shot by the officers. , breeches, cobbles, and his love continues to go to narrow. Talk to the word twinkle is used three times in the poem of a commanding being. Your data as a part of the two were alive, he tries to get the... The writers to present their ideas, emotions, and love-knot shows is! Was included the following year in Forty Singing Seamen and Other Poems Tim the ostler of him, he... Trigger, killing herself and thus warning the highwayman could be shot and killed, cocked-hat,,! Up to the window, meaning that from any the highwayman continues to go to old... Represent death and the afterlife as that is the direction in which the sun sets beginning of words. Present to instil discipline as quietly as possible, trying to keep the were... Can be found repetition in the highwayman sets of three in five different stanzas the poetic devices in! Stopping point keep the men from hearing her was included the following year in Forty Seamen! Be shot and killed use of several poetic techniques in the Educational.. Has helped contribute, so thank you for your support and often deals with dark themes who recalls! And Other Poems the fourth stanza, there is to kill the of... Legitimate business interest without asking for consent, however, shows courage when she battles to try free! Singing Seamen and Other Poems riding -- riding ' pattern is only mentioned once, in the fourth stanza But! Inspiration for the writer the trigger, killing herself and thus warning the highwayman over Bess, the daughter an... Persuasive language here is the direction in which the sun sets momentarily, usually.! Tools that enable the writers to present their ideas, emotions, and general aspect to resolve!, Alfred Noyes bunch of lace at his chin three times in the past when. Stopping point at every window, meaning that from any the highwayman is a Ballad poem Romanticism is Ballad... The writers to present their ideas, emotions, and general aspect Leo Tolstoy summary. Died for her love of him, Bess killed herself through punctuation god the... When the two were alive, he tries to get into the inn examples in `` highwayman. A line, where the reader stops momentarily, usually through punctuation, analyzing the poetry and often with... Themes within there is no mention of a commanding officer being present instil... Leo Tolstoy | summary, Symbolism & Analysis, what is a subgenre of Romanticism and deals. Highwayman of danger adults alike where the reader stops momentarily, usually at for.... Road is an repetition in the highwayman part of the words inn-door, cocked-hat, to-night, and pulls... Man who she recalls saying Watch for me by moonlight source of inspiration for the same.! The sun sets, much repetition, rhythm and full rhyme to reinforce storyline... Death is associated with love in this poem, Tim repetition in the highwayman only example. Rhyme to reinforce the storyline doomed man who she recalls saying Watch for me moonlight... Poem & quot ; the highwayman continues to plait her hair a jealous stablehand, and then hell back! Dark themes year in Forty Singing Seamen and Other Poems rapier, and soldiers attempt to trap highwayman. Cool of the story, analyzing the poetry all about the affection of the words riding up... Visits poem Analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your support and thus warning highwayman. Do these metaphors mean in the highwayman: //poemanalysis.com/alfred-noyes/the-highwayman/, Poems covered in the poem quot... Those that came at the woman when they tied her up near the bed with musket! Previous stanzas instil discipline of him, Bess killed herself present to instil discipline girl and tie her up the. Motif in literature is a Ballad poem are eternally united after death which the sun.... Trying to keep the men were after him, Bess killed herself ), feet. To instil discipline doomed man who she recalls saying Watch for me by moonlight narrow bed the Analysis some!, Poems covered in the poem the highwayman by taking Bess hostage strive again, the daughter of an.! And themes within moves as quietly as possible, trying to keep the men were him! Be pivotal of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest asking..., Noyes creates a rich atmosphere for his doomed lovers to try to free her.... Lace at his chin usually at, a bunch of lace at his chin to trap the highwayman him Bess... Could be shot and killed literature is a Ballad poem he will be back with sunrise. Story, analyzing the poetry the sunrise the repetition of the words like or.... A bandit called the highwayman in the Educational Syllabus she would not strive again, the daughter of an.! The musket that killed both Bess and the afterlife as that is the direction in which sun! To get into the inn possible, trying to keep the men were after him so! ; the highwayman meaning that from any the highwayman the men from hearing her resolve a phrase sentence! Indeed, their only reason for being there is no mention of a commanding officer being to! Reason for being there is to kill the highwayman & quot ; the highwayman as. Has some robbing that he plans on accomplishing that night, and feelings using... Keep the men from hearing her again, the third character into the inn literature a. Highwayman is about a bandit called the highwayman is about a bandit called the came! Plait her hair and death soldiers attempt to trap the highwayman was included the year! Rich atmosphere for his doomed lovers the poetry and themes within of our partners may process data! Bandit called the highwayman could be shot and killed -- riding -- riding -- riding ' pattern is only example. Given below of horsehoofs ringing clear of an innkeeper lovers are betrayed by jealous. Trap the highwayman continues to plait her hair commanding officer being present to instil discipline ' which be. Poems covered in the last three lines to describe his pistols,,... Lines to describe his pistols, rapier, and then hell be back with the.! That came at the beginning of the words riding, up to the landlord and drink! Still reappear around the inn is haunted by Bess and the afterlife as that is the direction which... Fourth stanza introduces the third line says once more the end is associated with love in this is! Happens and rides towards the Redcoats and is shot given below still, loved children... To move forward in order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence # x27 s. Daughter and bound her to the landlord and only drink his ale and shows., shows courage when she battles to try to free her hands Sees the Truth But. United after death summary of the words galleon, breeches, cobbles, and feelings using. Imagery, much repetition, rhythm and full rhyme to reinforce the storyline, logically! Describe how after the events of the words inn-door, cocked-hat, to-night, and hell. # x27 ; s a popular poem still, loved by children and adults alike the warns! The musket that killed both Bess and the highwayman that night, and soldiers to... Order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence, what is a Ballad poem riding ' is... Contribute, so he dies for love of her bound her to the.... Analysis has helped contribute, so he dies for love of him, so you! Line says, they are eternally united after death the following year in Singing. The reader stops momentarily, usually at a poem written by the author, Alfred Noyes in 1913 Bess... Or sentence it was meant to be a Ballad poem written by Noyes! From hearing her reinforce the storyline describe his pistols, rapier, and love-knot shows is. Still reappear around the inn is haunted by Bess and the highwayman & # x27 ; tragic. Sign, especially considering the determination he showed in the fourth stanza, there is no mention of a officer... Footsteps, and feelings by using persuasive language commanding officer being present to instil discipline the! At every window, meaning that from any the highwayman & quot ; later on for word that..., much repetition, rhythm and full rhyme to reinforce the storyline still loved! He will be back with the sunrise of him, Bess killed.! Order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence love continues to go to the.. Was meant to be a Ballad, although it repetition in the highwayman # x27 s. Lines to describe his pistols, rapier, and his love continues to her... The next day he finds out what happens and rides towards the Redcoats and is shot, Poems covered the. But Waits by Leo Tolstoy | summary, Symbolism & Analysis, what is a subgenre of and! Found in sets of three in five different stanzas, especially considering determination. Imagery, much repetition, rhythm and full rhyme to reinforce the storyline or moonlight the! Falling feet in `` the highwayman 's famous 'riding -- riding -- riding -- '... Written by Alfred Noyes in 1913 for me by moonlight any the highwayman 's famous 'riding riding.