Student Question
How does Alfred, Lord Tennyson portray the eagle's beauty and power in "The Eagle"?
Quick answer:
Alfred, Lord Tennyson portrays the eagle's beauty and power through vivid imagery and literary devices in "The Eagle." He uses personification in the line "He clasps the crag with crooked hands," and simile in "like a thunderbolt he falls," to depict the eagle's majesty and strength. The eagle is described as perched high on a mountain, symbolizing dominance and grace, before it swoops down with incredible speed and power.
Through personification and simile the 19th century English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson shows the majestic beauty of the eagle in his short poem, "The Eagle."
Tennyson paints a simple picture in two stanzas of an eagle perching high atop a remote mountain cliff scanning the world below him, probably for his next meal. He is personified in the opening line, "He clasps the crag with crooked hands." The next line may bring up the image of a beautiful bald eagle surrounded by sky and clouds, "Ring'd with the azure world, he stands." Picture the images used to show the bird as a symbol of America.
In the final stanza Tennyson emphasizes the power of the eagle in the simile:
"He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls."
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.