Alfred Noyes “The Highwayman”

“The Highwayman” is one of Alfred Noyes most beautiful, romantic and perfect poems, among the many he has written. It was simply done but w/ special rhythm, perfect style, complete with lyrical phrases, vibrant lines and accurate timing. The words that were used in this poem was flowing spontaneously and it is one that can be read and understood with just sitting, because the moment you start on it, one cannot afford not to finish reading all through out because the ending part is the most thrilling portion.. The way Alfred Noyes used similes, metaphors, alliteration, personification and onomatopia was simply amazing.. Everything was done with awe and he gave way to using beautiful imagery as this poem is a romantic story and the characters used were described deeply. The story as a whole was magnificent, in that, it has practically everything in it, such as a case of a Forbidden love, melancholic nature, nostalgic moments, and the most interesting and romantic part is the solemn vow they made for each other that even after death they will still be together.

The sweetness of the words used and the sadness on the truth revealed; the clear, uncompromising promise that they said to each other, the intention seeing a bright future of getting married with each other and having children, and for them living happily together even until death are the major impact that makes the poem interesting and exciting. “The Highway Man’ is a striking ballad altogether, mixed with theme about love and death, written in seventeen, six-line stanzas, each one telling us a part of this some- (2.) what gruesome story. It was written in a descriptive, narrative style, in the third person with very definite rhythms. .Noyes choice of words used in ‘The Highwayman’ were very carefully selected, never allowing to destroy the flow of the literary piece, which makes it a lovely poem to read with full attention to details to better understand.

OUTLINE/ANALYSIS: In the first stanza Alfred Noyes sets the scene for the most of this poem. He used lots of adjectives and the first three lines all include metaphors, phrases that allows us to picture nature in a very frightening but colorful scenario in our minds . It also showed alliteration at the end of the first paragraph where the highwayman was introduced in some kind of a dramatic but active mood. In the second stanza, the highwayman is described in as much as, if not more detailed, and using adjectives, as to how he dressed up and appeared before Bess, his lady love. Noyes described the highwayman’s body from the head downwards, specifying each feature of his total appearance. We can imagine what dress he was wearing as every color and accessories were carefully mentioned, including the boots that he wore with it. In the third stanza, Noyes made use of alliterations and metaphors, and opted to use the analytical style. This is the point where he made the reader think about the poem more deeply.

On the third verse, ‘over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard.’ Alfred Noyes did not write in plain English that the highwayman was anxious, although one can tell from the choices of words used that he is in a hurry, as if he was running out of time. Somehow, this seemed to be a difficult task to handle than simple (3.) imagery, especially in a rhythmic poem like this where there is only a limited choice of words to select and utilize for a relatively complex idea or statement.. It is also in this stanza where we were introduced Bess, the Landlord’s daughter’, the highwayman’s love. In the fourth stanza from the first three lines we can tell that ‘Tim the ostler’ (a stableman) was obviously unclean and dirty. Noyes didn’t directly tell us directly how he looks but we can tell and analyze, easily enough from the language that he used as similes were simply utilized. Tim, who secretly loved Bess was dumbstruck with envy and hatred with the highwayman especially when he heard him saying those endearing words to Bess. The fifth stanza was fully dominated by the highwayman’s words to Bess and is unlike any of the previous stanzas. He promises and assures Bess that he will be back the next morning, however if he doesn’t, then she should look forward to seeing him by moonlight or the night time no matter what happens. This verse is all speech and so to counteract monotony, Noyes put in lots of imagery into it.

He didn’t use a lot of adjectives, though there were some few, but it was very easy to picture in your mind the scenario that the highwayman was driving at.. In the sixth stanza we find a very similar format to stanza 3. It simply described the scenario and made it very easy for one to understand what was happening. There is just one simile used (“like a brand). We also have an insight into the highwayman’s thoughts. On the fifth line, in parentheses, he described to us what the highwayman was (4.) thinking and feeling as he kissed Bess’ hair. Noyes also put in an air of evil in this stanza, where a dark picture was portrayed to us. At this moment we san conclude that there is going to be a terrible twist in the story. In stanza 7 Noyes again described the scene, but in a more wicked way than the previous stanzas and the stages of the day was also detailed. Noyes used this idea in other stanzas, taking the reader through stages. This brings the reader into the story and makes one to really eagerly read on.

This scheme is used in previous verses, such as in stanza 2 when the highwayman was described in stages from head-to-toe. Noyes, in this stanza, also refers to the road as a ‘gypsy’s ribbon, looping the purple moor’, and in verse 1 he said that the road was a ‘ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor.’ Both of these phrases were metaphors. In stanza 8 the words ‘window’ and ‘casement’ (both meaning the same thing.) were doubly used and one is forced to think that the window may play some vital part in the story, and therefore Noyes is making us think about what he has written. Because he wants us to be not just meaningless bystanders of this great poem but be a part of it and he wants as to trying to work out the hidden meanings. The poem also says how distressed Bess was, because she somehow feels and can foresee what trouble was abrewing for them. Here Noyes used personification in the words “death and hell” Stanza 9 continues on from the previous verse with a narrative style. We have more repetition of what the highwayman said to Bess. Noyes puts emphasis by saying that Bess could hear him (though he was a dead man) saying the words “look for me by moonlight…..” We know that Bess understood what the King’s plan for the highwayman (5.) was and she tried her best to work it out while the King’s men were flirting with her. Stanzas 10 and 11 are closely intertwined. Both have the same subject and continue on one scene.

They are easy to analyze as they have the same pattern of style and tone. We see an example of personification in line“ the hours crawled by like years” gives us a clear view of how Bess feels, what she’s going through and she feels like time have stopped moving. Blood was mentioned in both stanzas as a symbol of pain and agony Bess was going through. Stanza 12 shows onomatopoeia in the ‘Tlot-tlot; tlot-tlot!’ trying to capture the sound of a horse’s gallop.in a word. This has been used in the previous stanza & on the Next stanza. We have Noyes’ metaphor for the word “ribbon of moonlight”. Again, stanza 13 starts with onomatopoeia on words ‘Tlot-tlot” Noyes used repetition to make it known that the highwayman is coming: In this verse we also find words “frosty silence” and “echoing night” which means that Noyes treated something not physical as though it was. In this stanza, the climax of the whole poem, Bess kills herself, in the process of trying to give warning to the highwayman not to come to the ranch.

This is a great example not just of self sacrifice, of giving up one’s life to save a loved one, but to prove the value and worth of the love she has for the highwayman. Stanza 14 is another sad part of the poem. The highwayman did not know that Bess, his lover, gave up her life for him, as a proof of her deep commitment of love. Here, the “blood” was used to symbolize pain and suffering. It was such a painful experience for the highwayman when he later got to learn that the dead body belongs to his love, Bess. (6.) In stanza 15 we see the highwayman’s reaction on the terrible news. He acted with range as his emotions overruled him with his anger. The tragic ending of a loving relationship of two lovers both ending up with death just because of their deep love for each other; all because of people stepping on their way. Here, one can foretell that the highwayman has no chance of surviving in his aim of avenging the death of Bess. The stanzas 16 and 17 are just simple replay of verses 1 and 3, with just few slight changes into a simple narrative style. This is also the ending part not just for the poem itself but for the life of the highwayman as he got killed in his quest for revenge.

It was somehow a sad and tragic ending but also a happy ending because they will be seeing each other and be together in the place where they are destined to be. This is also the hope in the highwayman’s heart. CONCLUSIVE COMMENTARY: This poem “The Highwayman” written by Alfred Noyes is a romantic and classic poem, beautifully written, with suspense and a dash of horror; although it has a very tragic ending (both died in the end) it has also a clear message for all especially lovers who are deeply committed with each other; that although the love that they show will not flourish, the proof of self sacrifice is worth more than anything, and also that, there is still hope of being with each other for eternity in the land of after death.

The lovers here in this poem (Bess and the highwayman) proved to all that no one and nothing can ever separate them from their love for each other even if it means that their lives will be sacrificed and given up. (7.) A brief summary: The poem “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes is about an outlaw and his relationship with his girlfriend Bess. He comes to see Bess at night because he is a wanted man and can’t afford to be seen. He promised her that he is going to get some gold, and then come back to get her. Unfortunately, a guy named Tom, who was jealous that Bess loved the highway man, (because he has a secret love for her) overheard their conversation and alerted King George’s men. The men came to the inn, tied up Bess, and pulled a gun to go off when the Highwayman opened the door. Bess did not want him to get caught and killed so she shot herself and the sound of the shot alerted the Highwayman. He came to her anyway, and was killed by the authorities.

Source of Reference:

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