Essay About Sea Fever And Use Of Rhythm

Analysis of “sea Fever” by John Masefield
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John Masefields poem “Sea Fever” is a work of art that brings
beauty to the English language through its use of rhythm, imagery
and many complex figures of speech. The meter in “Sea Fever”
follows the movement of the tall ship in rough water through its
use of iambs and hard hitting spondees. Although written primarily
in iambic meter, the meter in “Sea Fever” varies throughout the
poem. The imagery in “Sea Fever” suggests an adventurous ocean
that appeals to all five senses. Along with an adventurous ocean,
“Sea Fever” also sets a mood of freedom through imagery of
traveling gypsies. Perhaps, the most complex part of this poem is
the use of personification and metaphor. These figures of speech
go beyond the meter and imagery to compare life to a sea voyage and
portray a strong longing for the sea. The two main themes of “Sea
Fever” bring the reader closer to the sea and help the reader
understand why the speaker must return to the sea. “Sea Fever” not
only depicts a strong longing for the sea through its theme, but
also through use of complex figures of speech, imagery, and meter.
“Sea Fever” is an excellent example of varied meter which
follows the actions of a tall ship through high seas and strong
wind. Lines one and two contain the common iambic meter found
throughout the poem. “Sea Fever” may be categorized as a sea
chantey due to its iambic meter and natural rhythm which gives it a
song like quality. This song like quality is created through the
use of iambic meter and alliteration. For example, lines three
and ten contain the repeated consonant sound of the letter “w”.
In line three, the meter becomes spondaic through the use of
strongly stressed syllables. These spondees suggest the repeated
slapping of waves against the bow of the ship. As a result, John
Masefield creates an image of powerful ocean swells. In addition
to the meter suggesting the repeated slap of the waves, “the
wheels kick” is a reference to the ships steering wheel spinning
out of control. To further support the theory of the waves
slapping against the bow, “The wheels kick” suggests that the
tall ship is traversing very storm seas. Through the combining of
iambic and spondaic meter, “Sea Fever” not only gains a magnificent
rhythm, but gives clues into the location and movement of the tall
ship.
Perhaps, the most striking characteristic of “Sea Fever” is
the remarkable imagery seen on each line throughout the poem.
Images of a “gray mist” and a “gray dawn breaking” bring the poem
to life by appealing to the senses. The powerful images bring the
reader to the ocean and help the reader understand the strong
longing the speaker has for the sea. Through the use of
descriptive adjectives, the effectiveness of Masefields imagery is
increased. Specifically, words such as “whetted” and “flung” help
create a realistic picture of the sea. Images of a “wild call” and
a “clear call that may not be denied” describe a longing that is
shared between the speaker and the ocean. Finally, images of a
“lonely sea” and a “vagrant gypsy life” bring a mood of freedom and
independence to the poem. Through the use of vivid descriptions
and strong images of the sea, Masefield helps the reader to
understand why the speaker must return to the sea.
Through the use of complex figures of speech, “Sea Fever” is
transformed from an ordinary poem to a masterpiece. Masefield adds
figures of speech such as, personification, to bring detailed
descriptions of the ship and sea to the reader. In line four, the
sea is personified when the waters surface is referred to as the
“seas face”. In addition to personification, Masefield uses
several similes and metaphors that increase the effectiveness of
the already strong imagery. The simile “the winds like a whetted
knife”, appeals to the senses and helps the reader feel the cold
wind blowing. The similes and metaphors seen in “Sea Fever” are
easily recognized, but their meanings and implications may be
viewed as anything but shallow or irrelevant to the poetic style of