Lochinvar is a narrative poem from early last century which records the daring abduction of Ellen by the young Scottish lord Lochinvar. I found this poem by Sir Walter Scott interesting and enjoyable because it is written in the style of a fairy tale, it is a strong and lively poem, it uses archaic language, it has repetition, and passes on a message of determination to it’s readers.
Lochinvar is an enjoyable and interesting poem because it uses a fairy/folk tale style of writing. For example ‘ So boldly he enter’d the Netherby Hall.’ This sentence starts like a folk- tale and portrays Lochinvar’s bold stature as he enters a room full of people who are against him. ‘ I long woo’d your daughter, my suit you denied.’ Here Lochinvar has been denied his true love just like it often happens in a fairy tale.
‘Forsters, Fenwicks and Musgraves, they rode and they ran; there was chasing and racing at Cannobie Lee.’ Like a fairy tale Lochinvar saves his bride from a miserable life just like a fairy tale. ‘For laggard in love, and a dastard in war; Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.’ Here Lochinvar’s bride has to marry someone she doesn’t love as it so often is the plot of a fairy tale.
The poem is made pleasurable because it tells a lively and romantic story.
‘He staid not for brake , and he stopp’d not for stone.” The sentence stresses the lively and romantic personality of Lochinvar as he does not allow anything to get in the way of his true love for Ellen. ‘ I long woo’d your daughter my suit you denied .’ This sentence shows that Lochinvar had sought to marry Ellen before and is determined to marry her this time. ‘So stately his form, and so lovely her face.’ This is a romantic sentence as it depicts how suitable a match Lochinvar and Ellen are. ‘One touch to her hand , and one word in her ear.’ This sentence shows that it only took minutes for Lochinvar to rekindle Ellen’s love for him. ‘Forsters, Fenwicks and Musgraves , they rode and they ran; there was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee.’ This sentence shows that Ellen willingly goes with Lochinvar as they are truly in love.
Throughout Lochinvar archaic language is used to make the poem more enjoyable and appealing. ‘..he weapons had none.’ This sentence makes Lochinvar an interesting poem because although it is written in an old style it is still readable and so is an appealing piece of writing. ‘Twere better by far.’ This is an example of archaic language that appeals to it’s readers. ‘The bride kiss’d the goblet.’ Kiss’d is an archaic word and adds the Scottish accent that makes Lochinvar more gratifying to read. ‘I long woo’d your daughter.’ This sentence uses archaic language that would’ve been used to make the poem more appealing. ‘O ye come here in peace, or ye come here in war.’ ‘Ye’ and ‘O’ are used to make the poem more appealing by adding a Scottish accent also making the poem more gratifying to read .
Repetition is used in this poem to add emphasis to the character of Lochinvar and also adds rhythm to make Lochinvar more appealing. ‘There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.’ This the first sentence of the sequence that ends with Lochinvar. ‘Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.’ The second in the sequence of repetition that ends with Lochinvar . This repetition shows that the whole revolves around the main character Lochinvar. ‘O ye come here in peace or ye come here in war; or to dance at our bridal young Lochinvar.’ This sentence rhymes with the previous one adding rhythm to the poem enhancing it’s appeal.’ Twere better by far; to have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.’ This is another pair of lines that rhymes and end with Lochinvar , therefore containing repetition. ‘So daring in love and so dauntless in war; have ye e’er heard a gallant like the young Lochinvar.’ Lochinvar here rhymes with war adding rhythm to the poem making it more enjoyable and appealing to read.
Reading this poem was enjoyable because it tells the story of a determined man who will do anything for his true love, Ellen. ‘When they reach’d the hall door, and the charger stood near.’ Lochinvar is so determined to marry Ellen that he leaves no detail untouched which portrays his true love for Ellen. ‘So boldly he enter’d the Netherby Hall.’ This sentence shows that Lochinvar wasn’t afraid to anything as long as he was to marry Ellen. ‘He swam the Eske river where ford there was none.’ Lochinvar posses the determination to not let anything get in his way because he loved Ellen so much. ‘He staid not for brake, and he stopp’d not for stone.’ This is the nail in the coffin because it shows what lengths he will go to marry his true love.
For all the reasons mentioned above I found Lochinvar an enjoyable narrative poem with a strong lively rhythm and an exciting romantic theme that made it an appealing and readable piece of poetry .
