Lines 1-2:
Poe sets the stage for "Annabel Lee" in these lines. Although somewhat ambiguous, the repeated phrase "many and many a year ago" indicates that the poem will recount an event from the distant past. The description of the setting as "a kingdom by the sea" combined with the indefinite time frame lends a romantic, legendary feel to the narrative. These lines also introduce the rhythmic pattern of anapests and iambs. However, the initial two syllables can be read as a spondee, a pair of stressed syllables. By emphasizing both "It was" and the first syllable of "many," the poem starts with the powerful impact of three stressed syllables consecutively.

Lines 3-4:
These lines present the character of Annabel Lee. Describing her as someone "whom you may know" enhances the poem’s legendary aura, while the use of "you" fosters a sense of closeness between the speaker and the reader.

Lines 5-6:
The speaker's connection to Annabel Lee is revealed here. Her dedication to the speaker, who is later identified (in line 39) as her husband, is shown through her sole desire to "love and be loved" by him. The repeated use of "love"/"loved" underscores their bond.

Lines 7-8:
The repetition of "child" in line 7 highlights the youthful innocence of both characters at the time of Annabel Lee's death. It suggests their love was pure and untouched by the corruption often associated with adulthood. The refrain in line 8, echoing line 2 from the first stanza, creates a cohesive, melodic link throughout the poem.

Lines 9-12:
These lines link the speaker's relationship with Annabel Lee to celestial qualities. The repeated words "love" and "loved" emphasize the depth of their emotions. The notion that angels—referred to as "the wingéd seraphs"—envy the lovers' feelings elevates their relationship above all others, whether earthly or heavenly.

Lines 13-16:
In line 13, "this" refers to the jealousy of the angels mentioned in lines 11-12, while line 14 reiterates the refrain from the earlier stanzas. In line 15, the speaker identifies the cause of Annabel Lee's death. A chilling wind from the sky, linked to the envy of the angels, is responsible. The action takes place at "night," an apt time for such a sinister act by the envious angels.

Lines 17-20:
In these lines, the speaker narrates Annabel Lee's funeral. Additionally, her character is further developed; by mentioning her "high-born kinsmen," the reader learns that she came from an upper-class family. The use of the formal term "sepulchre" instead of a more common word like "tomb" reinforces this impression of her noble background. The word "sepulchre" also carries a more formal tone, implying the finality of the couple's relationship. This sense of finality—the speaker's complete isolation from his beloved—is emphasized by the phrases "shut her up" and "away from me," rather than a softer phrase like "placed her there." It is important to note that this stanza ends with the refrain, adding a sense of closure to the lovers' relationship. However, in the poem's final two stanzas, the reader discovers that despite Annabel Lee's death, the speaker's love for her endures.