The Inchcape Rock – Figures of Speech

 

No stir in the air, no stir in the sea –

Repetition – "No stir" is repeated.

Alliteration – Repetition of the 's' sound.

The ship was still as she could be –

Personification – The ship is given human qualities.

Alliteration – Repetition of the 'sh' sound.

Her sails from heaven received no motion

Alliteration – Repetition of the 'h' sound. Personification – The ship is personified.

Inversion – Normal order: Her sails received no motion from heaven.

Her keel was steady in the ocean –

Personification – The ship is personified.

Without either sign or sound of their shock –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 's' sound.

The waves flowed over the Inchcape Rock – Personification – The waves are given human qualities.

So little they rose, so little they fell – Repetition – "So little" is repeated. Antithesis – Opposite words rose and fell are used.

Anti-climax – Ideas are arranged in descending order. 

Personification – The waves are personified.

They did not move the Inchcape Bell – Personification – The waves are referred to as "they".

On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 's' sound.

 Inversion – Correct order: It floated and swung on a buoy in the storm. 

And over the waves its warning rung – Alliteration – Repetition of the 'w' sound. Personification – The bell is described as warning sailors.

When the rock was hid by the surge's swell –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 's' sound.

Personification – The rock is personified.

The sun in heaven was shining gay – Personification – The sun is given the human quality "gay".

Inversion – Correct order: The sun was shining gay in heaven.

The sea-birds screamed as they wheeled round –

Onomatopoeia – "Screamed" imitates the birds' sound.

Alliteration – The 's' sound is repeated.

And there was joyance in their sound – Personification – The sound is given the human quality of joy.

It made him whistle, it made him sing –

Repetition – The words "it made him" are repeated. 

Anaphora – "It made him" is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses

His heart was mirthful to excess – Personification – The heart is given human emotion.

The boat is lowered, the boatmen row – Repetition – "Boat" is repeated. Alliteration – Repetition of the 'b' sound. Climax – Actions progress step by step.

Climax – Ideas are arranged in ascending order.

And to the Inchcape Rock they go – Inversion – Normal order: They go to the Inchcape Rock.

Sir Ralph bent over from the boat – Alliteration – Repetition of the 'b' sound.

And he cut the bell from the Inchcape float –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 'f' sound.

Down sunk the bell with a gurgling sound – Inversion – Normal order: The bell sunk down with a gurgling sound. Onomatopoeia – "Gurgling" imitates the sound.

The bubbles rose and burst around – Alliteration – Repetition of the 'b' sound.

Climax – Ideas are arranged in ascending order.

Onomatopoeia – The word "burst" imitates the sound

Irony – Sir Ralph's evil act later causes his own death.

On the deck the Rover takes his stand – Inversion – Normal order: The Rover takes his stand on the deck.

For there is the dawn of the rising moon – Paradox – "Dawn" is usually associated with the sun, not the moon. So The line appears absurd or self-contradictory.

Canst hear, said one, the breakers roar? – Interrogation – A question is asked for emphasis.

Onomatopoeia – "Roar" imitates the sound of the sea.

For methinks we should be near the shore –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 's' sound.

Now where we are I cannot tell – Inversion – Normal order: I cannot tell where we are now.

Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock –

Alliteration – Repetition of the 'sh' sound. Onomatopoeia – "Shock" suggests the sound of collision.

Transferred Epithet – "Shivering" describes "shock".

Transferred Epithet – The adjective "shivering" is transferred from a person to "shock." 

Personification – The shock is personified.

O Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock! – Apostrophe – Christ is directly addressed./ The speaker directly addresses Christ. Exclamation – Expresses sudden fear and shock./ The exclamation mark expresses strong emotion

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair –

The waves rush in on every side –

Personification – The waves are given human qualities.

The ship is sinking beneath the tide

–But even in his dying fear –

Transferred Epithet – "Dying" describes "fear".

Personification – Fear is treated like a living thing./ Fear is personified.

One dreadful sound could the Rover hear – Inversion – Normal order: The Rover could hear one dreadful sound.

A sound as if, with the Inchcape Bell – Simile – Comparison using "as if".

The Devil below was ringing his knell – Personification – The Devil is given the human action of ringing a bell.

Metaphor – The bell symbolizes Sir Ralph's death.