Erik L. answered 12/30/22
Master's Degree in English Writing, Literature and Publishing
Edgar Allan Poe often used repetition in his poetry as a literary device to create a sense of unity, emphasis, and rhythm in his work. In the poem "Annabel Lee," Poe uses repetition in several ways to achieve these effects.
One way in which Poe uses repetition in "Annabel Lee" is through the repetition of the word "love." The word "love" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, including in the lines "And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side / Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride," which emphasizes the depth and intensity of the speaker's love for Annabel Lee.
Poe also uses repetition through the repetition of the phrase "in a kingdom by the sea." This phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the poem and serves to create a sense of unity and cohesion in the work. It also helps to establish the setting of the poem and to create a sense of place.
Finally, Poe uses repetition through the repetition of certain sounds and rhythms in the poem. For example, the repetition of the sound "ee" in the lines "Annabel Lee, / With a love that the wingéd seraphs of Heaven / Coveted her and me" creates a sense of rhyme and adds to the overall musicality of the poem.
Overall, Poe's use of repetition in "Annabel Lee" helps to create a sense of unity, emphasis, and rhythm in the poem, and adds to its overall beauty and effectiveness.
Best,
Erik L.