To Althea, From Prison

To Althea, From Prison Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Freedom in nature (Motif)

The poem uses a series of natural images to express the feeling of liberty.

Confinement (Motif)

The repeating motif of being confined appears in the speaker’s embrace of Althea, the bird in a cage, and the stone walls and iron bars of the prison.

Birds (Symbol)

Birds flying in the air are a symbol of liberty.

Fishes (Symbol)

Fishes swimming in the water are a symbol of liberty.

Linnet’s song (Allegory)

The song of caged linnets (or finches) serves as an allegory for the poem itself, which is a song of praise for the king.

Winds (Symbol)

The wild winds blowing over the waves are a symbol both of liberty and the king’s ever-expanding power.

Angels (Symbol)

Angels are a symbol of the liberty the speaker feels in his soul.