Poetry has always been one of the most popular forms of art used by individuals to reflect their feelings and emotions. Using various stylistic devices, rhymes, and rhythm, the author creates a unique image and sounding, attracting readers’ attention, triggering their feelings and emotions, and making them empathize with the main characters. For instance, the poem “Sir Patrick Spence” by an anonymous Scottish writer is one of the well-known ballads describing the tragic events and disaster at sea. Combining specific literary devices and describing unusual events, the author introduces the themes of loyalty, obedience and fate, and mortality. Reading the poem, a person feels the mood and the voice of the poet who tries to tell the dramatic story.
As stated previously, loyalty is one of the major themes in the poem Sir Patrick Spence. The main character, a Scottish nobleman, is recognized and respected by everyone “Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor / That ever sailt the sea.” (7-8). He enjoys his position, respect, and the power coming from this reputation. However, he remains loyal to the king, although Sir Patrick Spens knows he will disappear into the Sea. The poem presents loyalty and chivalry as one of the most critical values that should be present in every brave man. For this reason, the author creates a unique atmosphere by using assonance in the first part, “Tae Noroway, to Noroway, Tae Noroway ower the faem (13-14). It helps to understand the main idea of the poem better.
At the same time, the poem links the theme of loyalty to the ideas of obedience and fate. The anonymous Scottish author shows that these three elements are closely connected, and it is impossible to be loyal without accepting fate (45). On the one hand, Sir Patrick Spence does not believe the fateful notice given to him and is ready to obey the king. At the same time, it is linked to the second theme, saying that all people will die once, and it is up to them to select the way they pass away. The hero says, “I fear a deadly storm,” which can be viewed as the presentiment or the apprehension of the inevitable doom (36). However, he does not refuse to sail, meaning that he accepts mortality but chooses his own way.
The themes mentioned above are supported by specific stylistic devices helping to create the overall mood. First of all, the poem has an archaic structure and a tragic tone that promotes a better understanding of the central image sent by the author. Second, there are numerous cases of alliteration, repeating the same sounds to create a specific image, “O wha is this has duin this deed An tauld the king o me, (26). It makes the poem sound heavier and emphasizes the tragic nature of the events described in them.
Altogether, the poem Sir Patrick Spence touches upon the themes of loyalty, fate, mortality, and obedience. The author uses a dramatic tone to speak about the tragic events. However, it also emphasizes the braveness of people who were ready to risk their lives to follow their king’s order and were not afraid of death. The stylistic devices, assonances, and archaic tone are essential for understanding the poem and the central message. It is an example of a popular ballad describing strong and brave people.