O Captain! My Captain! : Quotations
O Captain! My Captain! is a notable literary work by Walt Whitman. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of O Captain! My Captain!.
Quotations
Quotes
“O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;” (Apostrophe + Repetition)
Explanation: The poet directly calls Lincoln “Captain.” This is an apostrophe because he speaks to the dead leader. The repetition of “O Captain! my Captain!” shows deep love and emotional appeal. It expresses grief and longing.
“Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head!” (Metaphor + Pathos)
Explanation: Lincoln is called “dear father.” This is a metaphor, as the leader is seen as the father of the nation. The image of the poet holding his head shows pathos (emotional appeal). It creates pity and sorrow.
“Fallen cold and dead.” (Repetition + Imagery)
Explanation: The phrase is repeated three times in the poem. This repetition makes the death final and unavoidable. The words “cold and dead” create imagery of lifelessness, showing the harsh reality of death.
“The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done.” (Symbolism + Contrast)
Explanation: The ship is a symbol of the United States. The voyage means the Civil War. The ship has reached safety, but the Captain (Lincoln) is dead. This contrast between victory and loss deepens the tragedy.
“Exult O shores, and ring O bells!” (Personification + Irony)
Explanation: The poet tells the shores to “exult” and the bells to “ring.” This is personification, because lifeless objects are given human qualities. But the poet himself cannot celebrate, which creates irony.
“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,” (Metaphor + Apostrophe)
Explanation: The “fearful trip” is a metaphor for the Civil War. The poet directly addresses Lincoln as “Captain” (apostrophe). The nation has survived the dangerous journey, but the leader is dead.
“But O heart! heart! heart! / O the bleeding drops of red,” (Repetition + Imagery)
Explanation: The repetition of “heart” shows grief and emotional pain. “Bleeding drops of red” creates a powerful imagery of blood and death, symbolizing Lincoln’s sacrifice.
“Where on the deck my Captain lies,” (Imagery + Symbolism)
Explanation: The Captain lying on the deck is a visual image of death. It also symbolizes how Lincoln, the leader, fell at the center of his nation (the ship).