Analysis of the Poem “Winter” by William Shakespeare

Analysis:

This poem consists of in two stanzas with nine lines in each stanza.

This poem tries to describe extremely cold winter happened in Europe in that time. The poem also gives such example of activities and conditions which only happen in winter (icicles hang by the wall, milk come frozen home in pail, bird sit brooding in the snow). At the end of each stanza, it’s told something ironic in the winter: when an owl sings a song which is actually bad and scary becomes good and enjoyable for people in the winter.

When icicles hang by the wall 

This line describes how cold the weather is by saying the ice that hangs down from the roof. In this line we have visual image. In daily language, we usually only say that the weather is extremely cold.

And Dick the shepherd blows his nail

This line talks about the effect of winter to a person. A shepherd named Dick who is sitting outside suffering from the cold weather and he is trying to warm his hand. In this line we have image of feeling. In daily language, we usually only say that there’s a shepherd who feels very cold.

And Tom bears logs into the hall

This line also talks about the effect of winter to a person. Another man called Tom works very hard in cutting the wood, carries them and stores in the warehouse. In this line we have visual image. In daily language, we usually only say that there’s a person who work harder to collect wood in the winter season.

And milk comes frozen home in pail

This line talks about something surrounding people in the winter. The milk becomes frozen from the very cold weather. In this line we have visual image. In daily language we usually only say that the milk is frozen.

When blood is nipped and ways be foul

This line tells the condition inside people’s body in the winter and the condition surrounding their houses. The blood in the veins of the people becomes frozen and all the roads are very dirty. In this line we have image of feeling and visual image (the skin and dirty roads). In daily language, we usually only say that the veins of people get trouble and the roads are dirty.
Then nightly sings the staring owl

This line informs that every night there’s an owl is singing it is song "Tu-with_tu-who". In this lie we have hearing image. 

"Tu-with.tu-who"

This tells the song that the owl usually sings. It is a bad and scary sound. In this line we have hearing image. 

A merry note

This line points out an irony. The sound of the owl is very bad and scary but people think it is good beause it is the only sound that can be heard in winter. In this line we have hearing image. 

While greasy Joan doth keel the pot

This line tells the activity a person does in winter. The dirty Joan is keeling the pot that means she is preparing the warm food in a cold winter. In this line we have visual image.

When all aloud the wind doth blow

This line describes the loud sound of the wind in winter. In this line we have hearing image. In daily language we usually only say that the wind blows.

And coughing drowns the parsons saw

This line describes the condition in a church in winter. The cough sounds of people hamper the sermon delivered by a parson. In this line we have hearing image and metaphor. In daily language, we usually only say that the cough sound of sick people makes the sermon neglected.

And birds sit brooding in the snow

This line tells the activity of birds in winter. The birds are only sitting and not singing because of the snowy weather. In this line we have visual image.

And Marian's nose looks red and row

This line talks about the effect of winter to a person. A girl named Marian has a red and row nose because of the cold weather and sickness. In this line we have visual image and metaphor.

When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl

This line tells the sound caused by the roasted crabs, one of the dishes in winter. The dish makes a hissing sound because of the cold weather. In this line we have hearing image. In daily language we usually only say that there’s a hiss caused by roasted crabs.
Then nightly sings the staring owl

This line informs that every night there’s an owl is singing it is song "Tu-with_tu-who". In this lie we have hearing image. 

"Tu-with.tu-who"

This tells the song that the owl usually sings. It is a bad and scary sound. In this line we have hearing image. 

A merry note

This line points out an irony. The sound of the owl is very bad and scary but people think it is good beause it is the only sound that can be heard in winter. In this line we have hearing image. 

While greasy Joan doth keel the pot

This line tells the activity a person does in winter. The dirty Joan is keeling the pot that means she is preparing the warm food in a cold winter. In this line we have visual image.