How to analyze poetry

How do we analyze poetry? On a sheet of paper... Write down all the steps we have used in order to analyze poetry from the Romantics. What aspects of poetry do you need to consider in your analysis?

Title Before we start reading a poem or a story, we need to always look at the title. Why do we do this step first?

Paraphrase What is literally happening in the poem and story? Why is this the second step?

Analyze Figurative Language What metaphors, similes, hyperboles or imagery is used in this poem or story? Which archetypes are being used? How does the poet or author create “double meanings” or deeper meanings through these figurative devices? Why is this the 3rd step?

Structure How did the poet or author structure their story? How do they use rhymes to emphasize words or ideas? How do they use syllable count to create rhythm? How did they build the plot, the character, the suspense? Why is this the fourth step of the process?

Title Again After doing our analysis, is there anything else we can get from the title? Or the character names? Or location names? Why is this the final step?

Masque of the Red Death Complete the steps of poetry (and story) analysis with Masque of the Red Death.