Analysis Of Sea Fever By John Masefield :: essays research papers

John Masefields poem " sea Fever" is a work of art that brings beauty to the English language finished its use of rhythm, imaginativeness and many complex figures of speech. The musical rhythm in "Sea Fever" follows the movement of the tall ship in rough water with and by its use of iambs and hard hitting spondees. Although written primarily in iambic meter, the meter in "Sea Fever" varies throughout the poem. The imagery in "Sea Fever" suggests an adventurous ocean that appeals to all five senses. Along with an adventurous ocean, "Sea Fever" also sets a mood of freedom through imagery of traveling gypsies. Perhaps, the most complex part of this poem is the use of personification and metaphor. These figures of speech go beyond the meter and imagery to compare life to a sea voyage and portray a strong longing for the sea. The two main themes of "Sea Fever" bring the reader closer to the sea and champion the reader understand why th e speaker must return to the sea. "Sea Fever" not only depicts a strong longing for the sea through its theme, simply also through use of complex figures of speech, imagery, and meter."Sea Fever" is an excellent example of varied meter which follows the actions of a tall ship through high seas and strong wind. Lines one and two contain the common iambic meter found throughout the poem. "Sea Fever" may be categorised as a sea chantey due to its iambic meter and natural rhythm which gives it a song like select. This song like quality is created through the use of iambic meter and alliteration. For example, lines three and ten contain the repeated consonant sound of the letter "w". In line three, the meter becomes spondaic through the use of strongly stressed syllables. These spondees suggest the repeatedslapping of waves against the bow of the ship. As a result, John Masefield creates an image of powerful ocean swells. In addition to the meter sugges ting the repeated slap of the waves, "the wheels impel" is a reference to the ships steering wheel spinning out of control. To further support the theory of the waves slapping against the bow, "The wheels kick" suggests that the tall ship is traversing very storm seas. Through the combining of iambic and spondaic meter, "Sea Fever" not only gains a magnificent rhythm, but gives clues into the location and movement of the tall