Upon A Spider Catching A Fly Literary Devices

    Upon A Spider Catching A Fly is a poem by Edward Taylor, a Puritan minister and poet who lived in colonial America. The poem is an allegory that compares the spider and the fly to Satan and mankind, respectively. The poem uses various literary devices to convey its message and create its effect. Some of the literary devices used in the poem are:

        Rhyme scheme: The poem follows a rhyme scheme of ABABB, which means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, and the second, fourth, and fifth lines of each stanza rhyme. This creates a musical and rhythmic effect that enhances the flow and coherence of the poem.

        Meter: The poem has a varying meter, which means that the number of syllables in each line changes from stanza to stanza. The first line of each stanza has six syllables, the second and fourth lines have four syllables, the third line has eight syllables, and the fifth line has two syllables. This creates a contrast between the long and short lines, which adds to the tension and drama of the poem.

        Alliteration: The poem uses alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or within words. For example, in the first stanza, the words "sorrow", "venom", "spin", and "selfe" all start with the letter "s". This creates a hissing sound that mimics the sound of a spider spinning its web. Alliteration also helps to emphasize certain words and create a memorable effect.

        Personification: The poem uses personification, which is giving human qualities or actions to non-human things. For example, in the second stanza, the spider is described as "affraid", "stand hereat", and "stroke" and "tap" the wasp's back. This gives the spider a sense of emotion and intelligence that makes it more sinister and cunning.

        Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor, which is a comparison between two unlike things without using words such as "like" or "as". For example, in the seventh stanza, the spider's web is compared to a whip cord and a net that Satan uses to trap mankind in sin. This creates a vivid image of the danger and cruelty of sin.

        Symbolism: The poem uses symbolism, which is using an object or action to represent an idea or concept. For example, in the eighth stanza, the nightingale is a symbol of devout Christians who are protected by God and live in joy. The nightingale is also a natural enemy of spiders, which implies that God can defeat Satan.

    The poem uses these literary devices to create a complex and powerful allegory that warns readers of the pitfalls of evil and encourages them to seek God's grace and glory.

Upon A Spider Catching A Fly Literary Devices