Four Elements

Jay Patel

Engl 231

Mr. Scala

10/12/2015

Competition

The poem in this case is a representation of the various elements that define the earth and what goes around in it. It portrays these different elements as being in some sort of a contest whereby each one of them searches for some means through which it can be superior or noble to the other. The main word in the poem is “contest.” It will serve as the basis of the discussion below so as to understand how it all came to be.

The word “Contest” is largely the key in the whole of this poem. The poet tone and mood is aggressive when she say, “The Fire, Air, Earth and water did contest”(line 1). With the word contest in there, the reader is able to get a clear understanding of the sort of message that is being sent through this poem. The other lines below it are more or less like clarifications as they serve to expound on how the actual contest came to be.

The world “contest” also gives preference to the “Four Elements” that are competing in this regard and what each one of them has to offer. It then gives the reader of the poem a revelation that the four elements which make up the earth’s crust are in constant competition for power. This comes out very clearly in the second line that says, “Which was the strongest, noblest and the best” Whereas all of these elements are essential, nature has a way of making some nobler than the others. People may think whether is it necessary to find out who‘s the superior among them, we may not think but they want to know who’s noblest, strongest and the best among them.

“Who was of greatest use and might'est force,” (line 3), is another good clarification on why the word “contest” is at the center of attention herein. Elements that are of great use to humans or living beings are largely considered to be nobler or the best. This again gives priority to a contest of sorts with “importance” being the reason of the poem.

Another outstanding line in the poem, “All would be...