Seamus Heaney Language and Imagery

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“Heaney can bring everyday natural events before our eyes through the precision of his language and his innovative use of imagery” Write your response to this statement, supporting the points you make with suitable reference to the poetry on your course. In 1995, Seamus Heaney won the Noble Prize in Literature and was praised for his “works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past”. I believe that it is this innovative imagery, combined with the precision of the language he uses that allows Heaney to highlight everyday natural events to those who read his poetry. Heaney is renowned for his magnificent imagery and wonderful language techniques, which make all of his poetry a pleasure to read. Seamus Heaney brings to light everyday natural topics such as love and relationships, the passing of time, death, and nature. Death is referred to in a lot of Heaney’s poetry in a very intelligent manner. For example, in the poem “Mossbawn: Sunlight” Heaney refers to “the tick of two clocks”. The alliteration in this line displays the speed at which time goes by. However this also reminds us that life is always ticking away, just like the clocks. This is similar to the reference to time in “A Call”. As Heaney waits for his father we are given a detailed description of this man, through the use of a metaphor comparing them to the weeds he feels “rueful” at having to destroy. The weeds are described as “frail”, like Heaney’s father himself in old age. It is this clever use of language that allows us to visualise Heaney’s father. In this poem, Heaney’s long train of thought is interrupted by the “grave” sound of clocks –reminding us of the little time Heaney’s father has before he meets his own grave. It is the references to the future in “A Constable Calls” that suggests the many deaths during The Troubles, as violence is already

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