The Romance of the Rose is a famous allegorical poem that was written in Old French in the 13th century. It is divided into two parts, with the first part written by Guillaume de Lorris and the second part by Jean de Meun. The poem is a psychological allegory that explores the nature of love, …
Poetic Allegories
Dive into the realm of poetic allegories to see how poets use symbolism and metaphor to explore complex themes and emotions.
The Shadow of the Glen is a one-act play written by J.M. Synge and first performed in 1903. The play is set in an isolated cottage in County Wicklow, Ireland, and follows the story of Nora Burke, a young woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage to an older man. The play explores themes …
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The House of Fame is a poem that has long fascinated literary scholars and enthusiasts alike. Written in the 14th century, the poem is an allegory that explores the nature of fame and its impact on society. The poem is divided into three books, each of which presents a different aspect of the …
“The Walrus and the Carpenter” is a narrative poem by Lewis Carroll that appears in his book Through the Looking-Glass. The poem is recited in chapter four, by Tweedledum and Tweedledee to Alice. The poem is an example of Victorian “nonsense” verse, and its precise meaning remains elusive. However, many literary critics have interpreted it …
“The Lotos-Eaters” is a poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, published in 1832. This poem is based on a portion of Homer’s Odyssey, in which Odysseus’s men are fed lotos plants and become mesmerized by the land onto which they have stumbled. The poem begins with Odysseus commanding his men to have “Courage.” They will …
The Hollow Men is a poem written by T.S. Eliot in 1925. It is considered one of his most famous works and is an allegory that explores the spiritual emptiness and disillusionment of the post-World War I generation. The poem is known for its haunting imagery, vivid symbolism, and complex themes. The poem is divided …
The Romance of the Rose is a medieval French poem that has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation over the centuries. The poem is an allegory that tells the story of a young man’s quest to win the love of a woman symbolized by a rose. The poem is filled with symbolism, allegory, …
“The Hind and the Panther” is a poem written by John Dryden in 1687. This poem is considered one of the most significant works of religious allegory in English literature. It is a long poem in three parts, totaling 2,592 lines, and is written in heroic couplets. The poem is an allegory that tells the …
Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Book of the Duchess” is a poem that is widely regarded as one of the most important works of medieval English literature. The poem was written in the late 14th century and tells the story of a knight who falls asleep and dreams of a hunt. The hunt becomes a metaphor for …
Orlando Furioso is a highly influential chivalric romance originally published in 1532 by Italian Renaissance poet Ludovico Ariosto. The poem, consisting of 46 cantos, details the life of Sir Roland, one of the heroes of Arthurian legend. Orlando Furioso is based on an earlier Italian work, Orlando Innamorato by Matteo Boiardo, and the French poem …