Personification of The Highwayman

Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman" is a classic example of personification in literature. The poem tells the story of a highwayman who is in love with Bess, the landlord's daughter, and dies trying to save her from the Redcoats. The personification in the poem brings the characters and setting to life, giving them human qualities and emotions. This essay will explore the use of personification in "The Highwayman" and its impact on the poem's themes and imagery.

Personification is a literary device that gives human attributes to non-human things. In "The Highwayman," Noyes uses personification to bring the setting to life. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, the wind is personified as a character with the ability to whistle and toss the highwayman's hair: "The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees / The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas / The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor." This personification creates a vivid and atmospheric setting for the poem, drawing the reader into the world of the highwayman.

In addition to personifying the setting, Noyes also uses personification to bring the characters to life. The highwayman himself is personified as a romantic and daring figure, with "black-eyed Bess" waiting for him by the inn. The Redcoats are personified as ruthless and cruel, "with white gaiters." These personifications create a sense of drama and emotion in the poem, making the characters feel real and relatable to the reader.

One of the key themes of "The Highwayman" is love and sacrifice, and Noyes uses personification to convey these themes in a powerful and emotional way. The love between the highwayman and Bess is personified as a force of nature, with "the love of the highwayman" being described as "stronger than a gun." This personification elevates their love to a higher, almost mythical level, making their sacrifice for each other all the more tragic and poignant.

Furthermore, the personification of the Redcoats as "the tip of a pistol / But the landlord's black-eyed daughter / Bess, the landlord's daughter" creates a sense of tension and danger, as the Redcoats threaten to harm Bess if the highwayman does not surrender. This personification adds a sense of urgency and drama to the poem, heightening the stakes for the characters and the reader.

Overall, the personification in "The Highwayman" serves to enhance the themes and imagery of the poem, creating a vivid and emotional reading experience for the audience. Noyes' masterful use of personification brings the characters and setting to life, making the poem a timeless and powerful work of literature.

"The Highwayman" is a prime example of the effective use of personification in literature. Noyes' skillful personification of the setting and characters creates a rich and atmospheric world for the poem, enhancing its themes and imagery. The personification of love, sacrifice, and danger adds depth and emotion to the poem, making it a timeless and compelling piece of literature. Through personification, Noyes brings the highwayman and his story to life, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.