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Spenser's "Like as a Ship" Analysis

This poem uses the metaphor of a ship lost at sea in a storm to represent the poet's turmoil after an argument with his beloved. In stanza one, the poet compares himself to a ship that has lost its guiding star (his beloved) and is struggling in the darkness of the storm (the argument). In stanza two, the poet wanders helplessly, unable to see dangers without his beloved's light. In stanza three, the poet hopes the storm will pass so his beloved's light can guide him safely back to port, allowing them to reunite. The poem employs metaphors, similes, and personification to express the poet's longing for reconciliation with his love.

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Haneen Al Ibrahim
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2K views5 pages

Spenser's "Like as a Ship" Analysis

This poem uses the metaphor of a ship lost at sea in a storm to represent the poet's turmoil after an argument with his beloved. In stanza one, the poet compares himself to a ship that has lost its guiding star (his beloved) and is struggling in the darkness of the storm (the argument). In stanza two, the poet wanders helplessly, unable to see dangers without his beloved's light. In stanza three, the poet hopes the storm will pass so his beloved's light can guide him safely back to port, allowing them to reunite. The poem employs metaphors, similes, and personification to express the poet's longing for reconciliation with his love.

Uploaded by

Haneen Al Ibrahim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Edmund Spenser and Theme
  • Stanza One Analysis
  • Stanza Two Analysis
  • Stanza Three Analysis
  • Figures of Speech Discussion

Edmund Spenser

(1552 – 1599)

Like as a Ship
Stanza One:

Spenser compares himself to a ship that has gone off


course, because his beloved's light is no longer shining
on him. His beloved is compared to the star.
Arguments can be described as being dark and
angry like the storms. So the storm is the argument or
fight that happened between Spencer and his
beloved. The "her" mentioned in this stanza is referring
to the ship.
Stanza Two:
In the second stanza, the poet wanders around in the
darkness, because his guiding light has been hidden
by the storm. Without her light he is left helpless
against hidden dangers surrounding him.
The storm has left him without his beloved to guide
him. He misses her bright ray (a metaphor for her soul).
He is filled with sadness that he has lost his way, and is
left defenseless.
Stanza Three:
The term “loadstar” refers to a star that leads or
guides; usually refers to the North Star.
In the third stanza the poet hopes that when this storm
passes his beloved's light will shine upon him again,
and guide him back to port (or her), so that they can
be together once again.
The last two lines are known as the final couplet,
which function as a way to sum up the entire poem in
a few words. Spenser is telling his beloved that until
she forgives him, he will wander aimlessly all alone,
thinking sorrowful thoughts.
Figures of Speech:
1- Metaphor:
A- Star: is compared with the poet’s
beloved.
B- The ocean: is compared with life itself.
C- Clouds, storms and perils: are compared
to life and love problems.
D- Landing: is love again.
2- Simile: we have two words “like” and
“as”.
3- Personification: the ship and the star
are personified to have human qualities.

Edmund Spenser (1552 – 1599) Like as a Ship
Stanza One: Spenser compares himself to a ship that has gone off course, because his beloved's light is no longer shining o
Stanza Two: In the second stanza, the poet wanders around in the darkness, because his guiding light has been hidden by the
Stanza Three: The term “loadstar” refers to a star that leads or guides; usually refers to the North Star. In the third sta
Figures of Speech: 1- Metaphor: A- Star: is compared with the poet’s beloved. B- The ocean: is compared with life itself.

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