Herrick, Woodsworth, and Poe

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time


In lines 1-4, Herrick is using a metaphor when he talks about the rosebuds and the flowers. The flowers could be moments in time or people. The first four lines are telling you to enjoy life while you can, because you may not make it to tomorrow. Don't take any small event for granted and appreciate them while you still have the time.

Lines 5-8 start with a metaphor. Herrick compares the sun to the lamp of heaven. These lines are saying that the farther along in life you go, the sooner you are to being done with your life. If you race through life, you will realize that you are only closer to your death.

Lines 9-12 are talking about your youth. He says that being a child is the best time of your life. You are carefree and have time to enjoy the small things in life.

Line 13-16 say that you need to go forth and seize the day. Use your time wisely and enjoy every moment given to you. If you wait around forever you are going to pass your prime, and just wait even longer to see what you will become.

I wandered lonely as a cloud.


This poem uses heavy imagery. The poet wants you to picture yourself in a blissful place by a lake where you can just watch the daffodils sway in the wind. It should be a place you can use as an escape from the mundane aspects of life. When the author says "fluttering and dancing in the breeze" He is using imagery to get you to picture a whole field of daffodils all moving together. In line 8 the poet is using a metaphor to compare a field of daffodils to the stars of the milky way.

Annabel Lee


The narrator lost a love of his to the cold of the sea. He says that the sea took her back, because the angels were jealous of their love. The narrator seems kind of obsessed with Annabel Lee, because he refuses to let her go. Even after her death, he goes and lays by her grave, or by her.