What is the theme of the poem Death the Leveller by James Shirley?

Death The Leveller by James Shirley is a philosophical poem that deals with the themes of man’s mortality, the transience of life, pride, honour, and the immortality of virtue.

What are the poetic devices used in the poem Death the Leveller?

Metonymy – Used in line 1 of second stanza, when the poet uses the word – “field” for wars that are fought on battlefields. 3. Transferred Epithet – Used by the poet in line 8 of the first stanza when he refers to the scythe and the spade as “poor”. 4.

What does blood mean in the poem Death the Leveller?

In the poem “Death the Leveller,” “blood” is used as a metaphor for social status.

What lesson do you learn from the poem death the Leveller?

Now attempt and appreciation of the poem : The poem ‘Death the Leveller’ by James Shirley is a fine poem that teaches us a god lesson. It says that our earthly glories are mere shadows. There is no shield against Fate. Death comes to all.

What is the figure of speech used in this line death the Leveller?

Death the leveler – the figure of speech is ‘Metaphor. Death is personified as an icy human being – figure of speech is personification. ‘Sceptre and Crown’ stands for King.

What is metaphor in poetry?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Metaphors are used in poetry, literature, and anytime someone wants to add some color to their language.

Why death is called the Leveller?

Why death is called the Leveller? Answer: Death is called the Leveller because Death shows no distinction and he carries off everybody alike – high and low, rich and poor, strong and weak – reducing them all to dust. He is an equalizer in whose eyes everybody is equal.

What is the meaning of the blood poem?

The poem Blood by Naomi Shihab Nye emanates feelings of confusion and anger that people from many cultures in America have felt. In her poem Blood, she speaks of the qualities of a “true Arab” while being torn between two forces, her comfy American half and her Palestinian half , whose home country is in turmoil. …

What does the word blood means here?

1a(1) : the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body. (2) : a comparable fluid of an invertebrate. b : a fluid resembling blood.

What is the central theme of the poem If?

The overarching theme of the poem If is successful virtuous living based on values pertaining to integrity, rightful behavior, and self-development. The poem speaks to each and every reader on what it means to become a complete man and how he operates through the thick and thins of life.

How is death a great Leveller?

Prov. Death makes everyone equal, because it does not spare anyone, not even the wealthy, famous, or talented. The wealthy tycoon lived as though he were exempt from every law, but death is the great leveler and came to him the same as to everyone else. …

What figure of speech means?

: a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader or listener.

Who is the author of death the Leveller?

“Death the Leveller” is an epigrammatic poem written by the English poet and dramatist James Shirley. This poem centers on the egalitarian nature of death. Death gives the ultimate ruling over a man’s life. It does not differentiate between the mortally mightiest or the weakest.

How old was Shirley when she died in death the Leveller?

Shirley, who was 70 years old, and his second wife died of fright and exposure after the Great Fire of London and were buried at St Giles in the Fields on 29th October 1666. This poem shifts between a number of settings. In the first stanza, we get a glimpse of kingly courts as well as of the fields of peasants.

Where did metonymy come from in death the leveller by James Shirley?

Metonymy is employed in the beautiful contrast between ‘sceptre and crown’ and ‘scythe and spade’. The poem was originally included in James Shirley’s interlude “The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses” as Calchas’ hymn at the funeral of Ajax.

What happens at the end of death the Leveller?

The ultimate leveller comes and lays his icy hands on kings and clowns alike. The sceptre and the crown of the king fall down and lie equal in the dust with the poor peasant’s scythe and spade. Worldly victory and success too are futile before death.