Figurative Language

Fast rode the knight by Stephen Crane

Fast rode the knight
With spurs, hot and reeking,
Ever waving an eager sword,
"To save my lady!"
Fast rode the knight,
And leaped from saddle to war.
Men of steel flickered and gleamed
Like riot of silver lights,
And the gold of the knight's good banner
Still waved on a castle wall.
. . . . .
A horse,
Blowing, staggering, bloody thing,
Forgotten at foot of castle wall.
A horse
Dead at foot of castle wall.


1. Figurative language is used in this poem, such as "like riot of silver lights", "a horse dead at foot of castle wall" and "fast rode the knight with spurs, hot and reeking". The type of figurative language used here are hyperbole, simile and symbolism. The poet chose to use these figurative language to describe how the knight looked, what was the men of steel compared to and what happened to the horse in the end.

2. I like this poem because of its descriptive words. It clearly describes the people, horse and the knight. For example, "Ever waving an eager sword", it describes the sword with the word "eager", which tells us that the knight was prepared to fight enemies to save his lady. Another reason is because of the way the poet depicts the entire process of the riot. It is very clear and readers will not be confused when they read the poem. Last but not least, the use of figurative language. The poet uses figurative language to make his poem more interesting and it attracted me. He uses it at the appropriate time, and thus making his poem more exciting.