The Eagle by Alfred Tennyson An isolated, powerful figure, ready to drop down and seize its prey. Commentary on the poem http://www.marrasouk.com

He clasps the crag with crooked hands; The sound is important Alliteration with the ‘c’ Assonance with the ‘a’ Adds nobility He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Hands make him seem human An American eagle rather than a British one - no close-up photos available of the latter. Try re-writing the line without the alliteration and assonance. Why is it less powerful? In earlier versions of the poem Tennyson used “hooked” instead of “crooked.” Why do you think he made the change? The rock To hold firmly Suggests he owns it What’s the effect of “He?” http://www.marrasouk.com

Consonance - repetition of the ‘l’ and ‘s’ consonants in line 2 lines in a stanza rhyme He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ringed with the azure world, he stands. he doesn't fear the sun’s heat he doesn’t fear solitude Which other words stress the nobility of the eagle? Can animals and birds possess these human virtues? If you had to choose an adverb to go with “he stands” which one would you choose? Why doesn’t Tennyson use an adverb? ‘azure’ is the heraldic colour blue Simple, direct statement Surrounded by - he’s at the centre Makes him seem noble http://www.marrasouk.com

The eagle strikes from the heavens While he watches from on high? In servitude? emphasis on his superiority The waves Suggests man-made - his castle? The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls. Direct statement - no adverb What do these lines suggest about the eagle’s relationship with the world around him? A weapon from a god in most mythology Note the contrast in speed with the earlier”crawls.” Used here as a simile http://www.marrasouk.com

Class discussion: Is the poem ”The Eagle” just a picture of the bird or does it represent something else? steve.neal@marrasouk.co.uk http://www.marrasouk.com