Eldorado
by Edgar Allan Poe
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?"
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
How does alliteration in the first stanza complement the poem’s theme?
A.
The repetitive sounds create a soothing effect that mirrors the knight’s calmness at embarking on a journey to Eldorado.
B.
The repetitive sounds add to the knight’s cynicism about Eldorado’s existence even as he embarks on his journey.
C.
The repetitive sounds create a monotonous effect that brings out the knight’s restlessness at embarking on a journey to Eldorado.
D.
The repetitive sounds create an upbeat rhythm that mirrors the knight’s enthusiasm at embarking on a journey to Eldorado.
