Poetry – Use of Imagery
Images are word-pictures. Poets use images to express their ideas or feelings. In order to
understand the meaning of a poem, it is important to understand the way imagery has been
used.
Different types of imagery
Personification is giving human qualities to animals or objects.
Example: a smiling moon,
the snow whispered
Metaphor and similes compare things which are different and show qualities which are
similar.
A simile compares two things using the words as or like
Example: He was like a lion in the battle.
Her hands were as cold as ice.
A metaphor compares X to Y and says that X is Y.
Example: He was a lion in the battle.
Juliet is the sun.
Allegory is using symbols which have a hidden meaning
Example: using scales to represent justice
Words and phrases to describe the use of images
The poet builds vibrant images
constructs vivid images
creates images of wild and mysterious
composes places
paints unusual images
conjures up
uses
to
convey feelings of loss and grief
embody the sense of power and energy
suggest force and violence
excitement and joy
The imagery captures the excitement and atmosphere of----
The Poet beautifully captures images of---
uses imagery in a fresh and imaginative
Some useful Verbs
What does the poet do?
The Poet attempts to create the feeling of
He compares
She conveys feelings of
describes
explains that
observes that
suggests that
wonders how
The mood/atmosphere of the conveyed through …
poem is created by …
evoked by the words …
portrayed in …
reflected in the words …
The image of a …. describes
conveys
illustrates the idea of …
portrays a belief in …
reflects a feeling of …
represents
symbolises
Using the poetic device of …. makes the reader feel …
produces an effect of …
paints a picture of …
creates an image of …