Question

Identify the figurative language used in these stanzas of Amy Lowell's \"In Excelsis.\". . In complete sentences, explain how it is used to convey meaning in the poem given below: You are frozen as the clouds You are far and sweet as the high clouds I dare reach to you I dare touch the rim of your brightness I leap beyond the winds,I cry and shout For my throat is keen as a sword. Sharpened on a hone of ivory. My throat sings the joy of my eyes, The rushing gladness of my love.

Answer 1

The poem expresses that the person is harbouring a certain emotion for the subject however; the subject appears to be very far from the person speaking in the poem. It can also be that the person is also experiencing a one sided love with the subject but was not able to express fully his or her emotion.

Answer 2

The author uses metaphor, personification, hyperbole,  and onomatopeias as it is explained below.

• A metahpor is used  to make readers understand the connection between the two words but doesn't literally make sense. For example: a) You are frozen as the clouds, b) You are far and sweet as the high clouds.

• Personification which means to give human characteristics to inanimate objects, example: I dare touch the rim of your brightness.

• Hyperbole: is an outrageous exaggeration that emphasizes a point. It tends toward the ridiculous or the funny. In this sense, the author states: I leap beyond the winds, For my throat is keen as a sword. Sharpened on a hone of ivory.
• Onomatopoeia. My throat sings the joy of my eyes