Eldorado Analysis

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!"

.: :.

The knight is gaily bedight, with a song in his heart through sunshine, but also the rough patches--when he is young.
But this confidence, over-confidence of youth starts to fade as he rides and rides with no semblence of those fabled dreams in sight.
At last, strength failing him, he asks as kindred soul--where? Where O' shadow, can it be? The realization of these dreams??
To which the shade replies in one of teh most devastating verses in literature, and what makes this poem poignant--"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
Ride! Ride On! Never stop! You haven't begun to look yet! Rally yourself man!!
It creates in an instant, the seemingly unbridgeable chasm between an idealist--his dreams and his reality; summons oceans of effort, when you're too tired to spit; the crushing fatal dilemma of life...but it does leave, the only thing left in Padora's box.
Very reminiscent of Don Quixote.

| Posted on 2009-11-15 | by a guest

.: :.

It’s about a man who has been seeking a purpose throughout his life until he became old. And at such an age, he still hasn’t found his purpose so he asks the shadow where is his happiness and passion is. The shadow is his subconscious mind that said, “Over the Mountains of the Moon, down the Valley of the Shadow, ride, boldly ride.”
In a way, the shadow is saying that you must go through a long trial of obstacles to find your purpose. But also in a darkly way, the shadow is saying no matter where you go and how far you’ve come, there really isn’t a way to find your purpose and happiness because you must find it yourself.
There is no certain direction to follow your desires and unfortunately, some people pass on before they find what they want. Thus, seeking El Dorado is your contentment. El Dorado is heaven. People look for this place, but seem to take the wrong turn and pass it unknowingly.

| Posted on 2009-10-21 | by a guest

.: :.

el dorado is the quest for seeking purpose. nuff said.

| Posted on 2009-09-29 | by Amberjparker

.: :.

There are a lot of good comments here; very insightful for me. After looking around a bit; it seems Poe wrote this very near the end of his life (less than a year later).
The song by U2 called "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" reminds me of this poem quite a bit.
My take echoes several previous ones. Poe felt his own mortality, he still hadn't found what he was looking for, and chose to think that either:
1. the 'holy grail' could only be found in a spiritual way - after he had died
or,
2. that the looking for Eldorado was in itself what he was looking for. i.e. the quest w-a-s what he was looking for.
klabarnik @ yahoo . com

| Posted on 2009-05-15 | by a guest

.: :.

Simple, really...
A young fella, in his prime, on his life's journy...seeking fame & fortune...through good times and bad...
As he grows older, he realizes that which he seeks may not be that easily obtainable...his goals not always met...
Now, in his golden years, nearing the end of his life...the spectre of Death is upon him...and his question, "What was it all for?"
To which he's answered, "Tho' life may not always be as you desire, live it to the fullest...and ride, boldy ride..."
Pedro Johnson

| Posted on 2009-04-23 | by a guest

.: :.

'Shadow he said Where can it be This land of eldorado?'
means
"He asked the shadow 'Where is Eldorado?'"

| Posted on 2009-03-25 | by a guest

.: :.

Explain 'Shadow he said Where can it be This land of eldorado?. Please annotate it

| Posted on 2009-03-07 | by a guest

.: :.

Can anyone tell me what type of poem it is like for example a metaphor. what type of poem is it

| Posted on 2009-01-29 | by a guest

.: :.

i don't think this is about wealth at all, that seems far too simple/shallow for Poe. it seems this gallant knight becomes discouraged after so long of never obtaining what his heart desires. "And o'er his heart a shadow Fell as he found No spot of ground That looked like Eldorado" essentially means a shadow fell over his heart after a long period of time with no sign of what he was seeking. the pilgrim (One who embarks on a quest for something conceived of as sacred) shadow i believe refers to another in search of the same thing, maybe someone who was consumed by the shadow that fell over their heart. "Over the Mountains Of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow" i believe refers to the unobtainable, the mountains of the moon are out of our reach. the valley of shadow would mean death. the only way to obtain true happiness is through death.

| Posted on 2008-12-29 | by a guest

.: :.

I think that this particular poem is about perserverance and striving to reach your dream, goals ,or whatever your El Dorado might be. in stanza four it says "over the mountains of the moons, down the valley of the shadow." I think it means that the knight will will have to suffer and go through hard times as any good thing is to obtain. The journey will be hard but he must travel it to reach his eldorado.

| Posted on 2008-12-18 | by a guest

.: :.

Perhaps the pilgrim shadow is the doubt within the knight's heart that eldorado may not be real.
P.S. this was written during the gold rush so perhaps he is relating the knight to the adventurers who never found the gold they heard about in California

| Posted on 2008-12-01 | by a guest

.: :.

This Amazing poem is about an explorer who is dressed in fine robes searching for a place that will never be found. I think the pilgrim shadow is the shadow of death and it is telling him that he can only find eldorado in his dreams as he's reaching the end of his life. i also interpret the mountains of the moon to be reaching heaven.

| Posted on 2008-11-08 | by a guest

.: :.

In Eldoradeo, Poe by referring to the "valley of the shadow," is referring "to the valley of the shadow of death,".... I shall fear no evil." (Psalm 23) He is showing that there is a journey one must face to get the real treasure which is Heaven. It is an allusion Poe gives to the Bible. :)

| Posted on 2008-10-29 | by a guest

.: :.

cool.his conscience is telling him that it exists,i believe.

| Posted on 2008-10-07 | by a guest

.: :.

Beautiful poem. My own personal interpretation is of the darker side; I agree with a certain comment that Eldorado may never be reached; it is but a futile effort on the Knight's own part. The description by the 'pilgrim shadow' is enough to warn that he is attempting the impossible. This poem could possibly be described as first of singing hopes, next of withering expectations and finally, of something up to your own judgement. The Knight COULD possibly "Ride, boldly ride," but at his age and failing physique, how much longer could he go on? To me, it seems more likely that it is a consequential defeat and the 'pilgrim shadow' is the one who eventually 'informs' (I carelessly use the word here) the miserable and almost-fallen Knight of his worst nightmares come true - that Eldorado may not exist, after all. This pessimistic and slightly sadistic view is, after all, typical of Mr Poe here.

| Posted on 2008-06-12 | by a guest

.: Eldorado :.

.Eldorado (noun) an imaginary place of great wealth and opportunity

This is my most favorite poem. ( I believe in the poem Eldorado means a perfect place)
In life it not the destination that’s important it’s the journey. The knight is looking for this perfect place (Eldorado) he is looking for this “perfect place his whole life. When he was young he was singing. Now that he is old his hart is sad. Then he comes upon a pilgrim shadow. ( pilgrim a traveler or wanderer, esp. in a foreign place.) This shadow may be his own shadow or maybe a ghost. And in this next sentence is the meaning of the poem. (RIDE BOLDLY RIDE) The Knight asks the shadow “where is this land called Eldorado?” The shadows answer to the knight is RIDE BOLDLY RIDE…..and that my friends is where Eldorado is. Eldorado is not a place, its in your heart and you have to be bold (not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring) there are many people who live in a grand house have lots of money, but they run scared every day of their lives. Be bold and be of good character (knights have a reputation of being of good character) your welcome

| Posted on 2008-05-15 | by a guest

.: eldorado - an analysis :.

Poe’s Eldorado utilizes symbolism in a fashion typical of dark romantisist poets. Our gallant Knight seems to represent the recently birthed transcendentalist movement that believed in finding truth and goodness through a new utopian world – Eldorado. The song sung by our knight, then, would be the prophetical works written by our knights - The American Scholar, Orphic Sayings, and Civil Disobedience to name a few. But thirteen years after the movemnent was born [[and when this poem was published]] nothing had been found or discovered by these Knights so bold. The Shadow, then, would be reality, awaking them to the fact that their Eldorado cannot be reached unless they perform the impossable - that even if you reach as high as the Mountians of the Moon or go as low as the Vally of Shadow [of death] you will still not reach Eldorado because it cannot occur here on this earth.
not to mention the use of the word 'shadow'... i think enough people have gone off the deep end there. [[do you really mean it david shultz?]]
plagerism nonwithstanding unless you think your prof'll look here you can use this too...
~Nadia Phyligmon

| Posted on 2008-05-11 | by a guest

.: Eldorado :.

I think Eldorado is about a man, not necessarily a knight, who is living his life trying to find where he fits in. He grows old and never finds his personal nirvana and is basically a wreck. He tells this "Pilgrim Shadow" where do i fit in at and the shadow tells him you cant find your own nirvana, you have to make it.

| Posted on 2008-04-26 | by a guest

.: El Dorado :.

The "Knight" dies looking for El Dorado, he dies in the valley. The valley is referred as the valley of the shadow of death.

| Posted on 2008-03-02 | by a guest

.: Eldorado :.

Eldorado, eldorado, eldorado. A story that is generally speaking about life. This story is basically saying not to waste time on something that you know is not real. He follows his own shadow that is not much help to him. The shadow discourages him and is basically telling him that whatever he is looking for does not exist. This story is another archetype where it starts off happy and jolly, and then it experiences some difficulties or problems. At the end it lives happily ever after and you learn a lesson. It's kind or like a Disney Story.

| Posted on 2008-02-27 | by a guest

.: :) :.

ELDORADO IS A WAY TO LIVE AS LIKE SAYING TO STAY GOLD AND TRUE TO YOURSELF . THE KNIGHT IN OTHER WORDS IS SOMEONE THAT IS TRYING TO LOOK FOR IT BUT HE IS SELFISH AND RETAREDED FOR ACTUALLY THINKING THERE IS A 'ELDORADO' AND WASTES HES TIME AND GROWS OLD . THATS WHEN HE SEES THE ANGEL OF DEATH AND TRYIS COMFORTING HIM THAT HE WASTED HIS TIME AND LIFE FOR LOOKING FOR SUCH PLACE. STEF GOMEZ 1.12.08

| Posted on 2008-01-12 | by a guest

.: :.

ELDORADO IS A WAY TO LIVE AS LIKE SAYING TO STAY GOLD AND TRUE TO YOURSELF . THE KNIGHT IN OTHER WORDS IS SOMEONE THAT IS TRYING TO LOOK FOR IT BUT HE IS SELFISH AND RETAREDED FOR ACTUALLY THINKING THERE IS A 'ELDORADO' AND WASTES HES TIME AND GROWS OLD . THATS WHEN HE SEES THE ANGEL OF DEATH AND TRYIS COMFORTING HIM THAT HE WASTED HIS TIME AND LIFE FOR LOOKING FOR SUCH PLACE. STEF GOMEZ 1.12.08

| Posted on 2008-01-12 | by a guest

.: Analysis :.

Poe’s Eldorado is similar to The raven in the event that they can both be described as poems of guilt. Eldorado has two definitions. One being a legendary kingdom of enormous wealth for anyone who can find it and two, an unattainable idea. The “gallant knight” in this poem “has journeyed long, in search of Eldorado.” Eldorado can be analyzed as being wealth, the knight spent his youth in search of wealth. “But he grew old” and having never obtained his Eldorado he seeks answers from a “pilgrim shadow.” This illustrates his guilt over his long search for Eldorado. He wasted his youth on an unattainable idea. The shade tries to pacify him in his death. The shade gives the knight directions even though he is now old. The shade comes to late though for the knight is old and dying and can no longer search for wealth and is now left with nothing but the idea in his old age.

| Posted on 2007-11-18 | by a guest

.: El Dorado :.

I have a friend who in the past called himself my knight. Recently, upon our parting, he quoted this poem to me. For the first time, I felt that El Dorado was not just something that could not be attained. In the case of unfulfilled and longed for love, one may long for a relationship that will never happen. He was my knight and I am his El Dorado. As his health fails, I think he finally realized there is no end to his search and it is as far away as "the mountains over the moon."

| Posted on 2007-11-10 | by a guest

.: Eldorado :.

I think Poe uses the knight to portray a life long search for wealth. Along the way the knight grows old, and as he is dieing he sees a ghost or the Angel of death. As the knight is dieing he asks the angel were Eldorad is. The angel tells the knight "Over the mountains of the Moon, Down the valley of the Shadow. I think with "OVer the mountains of the moon" Poe is trying to say that like the mountains on the moon eldorado is very gar away. And with "Down the valley of the shadow" poe alludes to the 23 psalm "Yea though i walk through the valley of the shaodw of death, i shall fear no evil, for though art with me...". He is trying to say that the knight is going to die but give him comfort before he passes. I also believe that eldorado is a state of being. Like a nirvanna or a state of peace with everything.

| Posted on 2007-09-29 | by a guest

.: Eldorado :.

I think Poe uses the knight to portray a life long search for wealth. Along the way the knight grows old, and as he is dieing he sees a ghost or the Angel of death. As the knight is dieing he asks the angel were Eldorad is. The angel tells the knight "Over the mountains of the Moon, Down the valley of the Shadow. I think with "OVer the mountains of the moon" Poe is trying to say that like the mountains on the moon eldorado is very gar away. And with "Down the valley of the shadow" poe alludes to the 23 psalm "Yea though i walk through the valley of the shaodw of death, i shall fear no evil, for though art with me...". He is trying to say that the knight is going to die but give him comfort before he passes. I also believe that eldorado is a state of being. Like a nirvanna or a state of peace with everything.

| Posted on 2007-09-29 | by a guest

.: interpretATION :.

I love this poem I had to do a term paper on Poe(I'm in 9th grade) so, that led to me wanting to find out the meanings of some of his poems.

Ok so anway, in the first two stanzas of the poems it's saying that this brave,gallant and gaily dressed knight was on a journey or quest for this place called Eldorado. and during the quest he grew old. And I think When Edgar Allen Poe wrote this poem, the word Eldorado wasn’t an actual place but a feeling, a feeling of happiness, of living (Eldorado has two meanings, 1. being a legendary kingdom of great wealth and 2. and unattainable idea).

The knight was so hell bent on finding this great place, driven by greed that all his life he stayed focused on that one goal and never got to enjoy the little things in life. He grew weak and tired, he felt he couldn't go on any longer. He looked everywhere and in his long journey couldn't find Eldorado, but he met a mysterious wanderer and asked him if he knew where he could find Eldorado.

I think the pilgrim was trying to say that the only way you can find Eldorado is if you go Down the Valley of the Shadows which I think the word shadow in this stanza means death, and be bold. I guess that means live your life, don't look for Eldorado it will come to you, if you lead a happy life you have found it.

he wasted his life looking for something he thought was a material posession, that can only be found through emotion and from his mind and soul. Other than having a happy life, I guess some people relate death to happiness also.

| Posted on 2007-04-29 | by a guest

.: :.

This is about Hernado DeSoto, the explorer. He came to North America, after adventures in Central/South AM., looking for gold. His conduct toward the locals, less that nice, always looking for gold over the next hill, so the natives told the blue eyes. He died of probably malaria, combined with fatigue. Eldorado is the legend city of gold. Many explorers sought this price. DeSoto died somewehre in Ark, buried in the Mississippi River.

| Posted on 2007-03-31 | by a guest

.: to mr david shlutz :.

a. "eldorado" isn't the last poem Edgar Allen Poe wrote, it is "Annabel Lee"
b. Drug is one facter in his death. other include, but not limited to: alcohol, cholera, suicide,tuberculosis, rabies, Mad cow disese, religion, Great white sharks, Turtlez,rabies, and Micheal Jackson.(OK, I made up every one of them from the first "rabies")

| Posted on 2007-03-25 | by a guest

.: :.

This poem when I first read it seemed as if it had a theme of an empty promise. The knight spends his entire life searching for this "Eldarado" or the city of gold, and in the end, a demon or a devil or someone who can't logically be trusted (aka the "pilgrim shadow") tells him to go "over the mountains of the moon and down the valley of shadow" to find Eldarado. In other words, the knight can NEVER find Eldarado because it is impossible to get there. Also, how is the knight to know whether or not that is really where Eldarado is? The shade onlt said "...if you seek for Eldarado". That just means to go there if he is looking for Eldarado, he never said Eldarado was ever there. It is a kind of foresaken, fruitless journey poem. I also thought it was interesting that the last line of every stanza ended in Eldarado and the second line of every stanza ended in shadow. Eldarado, shadow... It could be a hint from Poe as to where Eldarado is.

| Posted on 2007-03-20 | by a guest

.: :.

This poem when I first read it seemed as if it had a theme of an empty promise. The knight spends his entire life searching for this "Eldarado" or the city of gold, and in the end, a demon or a devil or someone who can't logically be trusted (aka the "pilgrim shadow") tells him to go "over the mountains of the moon and down the valley of shadow" to find Eldarado. In other words, the knight can NEVER find Eldarado because it is impossible to get there. Also, how is the knight to know whether or not that is really where Eldarado is? The shade onlt said "...if you seek for Eldarado". That just means to go there if he is looking for Eldarado, he never said Eldarado was ever there. It is a kind of foresaken, fruitless journey poem.

| Posted on 2007-03-20 | by a guest

.: Interpretation :.

Poe uses the figurative meaning of Eldorado to mean the place of dreams or the main meaning of life. When the knight is riding along throughout his life in search of his dream and home, he meets the shadow which could be a figurative model for the devil or a temptation. Then he tells the knight to go over the mountains of the moon through the valley of shadow which could mean the symbol of hell and the knight "boldly rides" because he "seeks for Eldorado" which means that if it means so much to hime that he will continue to search for his hopes and dreams if it really means that much to him. Even if he has to go through unreachable limits and dangerous obstacles he will indeed fulfill this task.

| Posted on 2006-05-21 | by Approved Guest

.: :.

I love this poem I had to do a term paper on Poe(I'm in 9th grade) so, that led to me wanting to find out the meanings of some of his poems.

Ok so anway, in the first two stanzas of the poems it's saying that this brave,gallant and gaily dressed knight was on a journey or quest for this place called Eldorado. and during the quest he grew old. And I think When Edgar Allen Poe wrote this poem, the word Eldorado wasn’t an actual place but a feeling, a feeling of happiness, of living (Eldorado has two meanings, 1. being a legendary kingdom of great wealth and 2. and unattainable idea).

The knight was so hell bent on finding this great place, driven by greed that all his life he stayed focused on that one goal and never got to enjoy the little things in life. He grew weak and tired, he felt he couldn't go on any longer. He looked everywhere and in his long journey couldn't find Eldorado, but he met a mysterious wanderer and asked him if he knew where he could find Eldorado.

I think the pilgrim was trying to say that the only way you can find Eldorado is if you go Down the Valley of the Shadows which I think the word shadow in this stanza means death, and be bold. I guess that means live your life, don't look for Eldorado it will come to you, if you lead a happy life you have found it.

he wasted his life looking for something he thought was a material posession, that can only be found through emotion and from his mind and soul. Other than having a happy life, I guess some people relate death to happiness also.

| Posted on 2006-05-09 | by Approved Guest

.: :.

I love this poem I had to do a term paper on Poe(I'm in 9th grade) so, that led to me wanting to find out the meanings of some of his poems.

Ok so anway, in the first two stanzas of the poems it's saying that this brave,gallant and gaily dressed knight was on a journey or quest for this place called Eldorado. and during the quest he grew old. And I think When Edgar Allen Poe wrote this poem, the word Eldorado wasn’t an actual place but a feeling, a feeling of happiness, of living (Eldorado has two meanings, 1. being a legendary kingdom of great wealth and 2. and unattainable idea).

The knight was so hell bent on finding this great place, driven by greed that all his life he stayed focused on that one goal and never got to enjoy the little things in life. He grew weak and tired, he felt he couldn't go on any longer. He looked everywhere and in his long journey couldn't find Eldorado, but he met a mysterious wanderer and asked him if he knew where he could find Eldorado.

I think the pilgrim was trying to say that the only way you can find Eldorado is if you go Down the Valley of the Shadows which I think the word shadow in this stanza means death, and be bold. I guess that means live your life, don't look for Eldorado it will come to you, if you lead a happy life you have found it.

he wasted his life looking for something he thought was a material posession, that can only be found through emotion and from his mind and soul. Other than having a happy life, I guess some people relate death to happiness also.

| Posted on 2006-05-09 | by Approved Guest

.: Eldorado (figurative) :.

When Poe refers to Eldorado i dont think he really means an actual place. I believe that he is using a figurative Eldorado not a literal one. I think Eldorado is the happiness (gold) of living a good life, and the Knight who is so bent on finding this eldorado spends so much time of his life looking for it that he misses out on his chance to live his life, and when his life comes to an end the shadow tells him to ride boldly ride... if you seek Eldorado. which i belive to be refering to the fact that you have to boldly live you life not just move a long in seach of it and he can have anohter chance in his death. I think there is a figurative eldorado along with the literal. Sorry if I am really wrong and if i sound really stupid!

| Posted on 2006-01-11 | by Approved Guest

.: analysis :.

Eldorado: An Analysis

Eldorado was the last poem that Edgar Allan Poe ever wrote, which is fitting considering its morbid content. For three of its four stanzas, the poem progresses through the end of a gallant knight’s quest to find the mysterious land of Eldorado. As the poem develops it becomes darker and drearier until his journey inevitably ends in the 4th stanza and in death. Upon closer examination, a theme containing an important moral begins to emerge. The knight spends his entire life blindly chasing after this land of Eldorado to no avail. Meanwhile, his life is slowly passing him by, yet he never enjoys it because he is blinded by the promise of Eldorado. In this wintry poem, Poe uses a variety of devices to convey his message, but the most obvious is the repetition of the words “shadow” and “Eldorado” which appear as the last word of the third and sixth line respectively for each stanza.
The word Eldorado is used to describe a place of great opportunity and wealth, it comes from the 16th century explorers who sought gold and power in South America. The word evolved from and is synonymous with “El dorado”. Dorado is Spanish for gilded, and gilded is defined as: 1.To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold. 2. To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to. Both of these definitions would be relevant to Poe’s poem in which the knight wastes his life trying to attain something that is not as valuable as he initially thought. The word Eldorado is not only the title, but it is also the last word of each stanza. Parallels between the ending point of the knight’s quest and the ending of each stanza could easily be drawn thus inferring that Eldorado was the conclusion to both the knight’s quest and the poem itself. An endpoint that was overrated and not as satisfying as advertised, would be a concept Poe was all too familiar with. As a heavy drug abuser, Poe knew what it meant to search for meaning in places that would only leave you satisfied for a short time and as his life came to a close he undoubtedly realized how closely his life resembled the gallant knight’s; they were both nearing the end of their lives and had not found what would make them truly happy.
The other word that Edgar repeats through out his poem is “shadow”. It is interesting to note the different ways, in which it is used and the trends that they follow. The first usage is symbolic only in the sense that shadow illustrates darkness or hardships, but the usage in the second stanza is much deeper and darker: And o’er his heart a shadow [fell]. The second stanza is that point where our bold knight realizes he will not reach Eldorado because he will die first, and upon that realization a “shadow” falls over his heart. This usage could be symbolic perhaps of the weight of death that now knocks on the soul of the knight. The third time Poe uses the word it is used as a noun- a shadow. This noun form is probably implying that the shadow is a ghost or spirit, which is now visible by the dying knight who lingers briefly between the worlds of life and death. The final time the word shadow is used is in the final stanza. It is used to describe the true location of the elusive land of Eldorado- Down the valley of shadow. There are multiple references to The Valley of Shadow throughout literature and in many cases the word death can be substituted for shadow, such as in Psalm 23. The spirit then tells the knight to ride through the valley in order to find Eldorado, that is, death will bring you what you desire, but it may not be what you thought. It is interesting to note that the last form of this word is substitutable with death, because regardless of how fulfilling life is death will end it. (691)

--david shultz
you have my permission to totally steal this and tell people you did it

| Posted on 2005-11-16 | by Approved Guest

.: Eldorado :.

I don't think the knight finds the piece of land he went searching for; however, I do believe that the knight searched until death came among him. I think it's pretty important to point out that not only does the knight not find Eldorado but there is no Eldorado to find. I think he was [basically] his whole entire life looking for absolutely nothing. The analytical strength of the poem is the powerful use of the shadow/shade image. In stanza one it is simply shades from the sun. In stanza two it is a feeling of gloom. And in stanza 3 it is the harbinger of death. In stanza four it is death itself providing directions to eternal searching and endless quest. So I think it was trying to say that Edgar was looking for love but couldn’t find it.

| Posted on 2005-10-31 | by Approved Guest

.: :.

I'm not sure about the analysis provided above. Ummmmm...I don't think he finds it until he is too old. I think it's pretty important to point out that not only does the knight not find Eldorado but there is no Eldorado to find. I mean...well never mind.

The analytical strength of the poem (above point not withstanding) is the powerful use of the shadow/shade image. In stanza one it is simply shade from the sun. In stanza two it is a feeling of gloom. In stanza 3 it is the harbinger of death. In stanza four it is death itself providing directions to eternal searching and endless quest.

There is no Eldorado. Isn't that a much better basis for the poem than if there actually was a conquistador soldier on a horse that comes across a South American Village where the indians are hoarding a secret treasure of...oh never mind. At least he was brilliantly dressed. Name another poem with "bedight" in it.

Shane
10-31-05

| Posted on 2005-10-31 | by Approved Guest

.: Eldorado :.

What I take away from this poem is a sad story about a knight, who was hailed Brave and Bold for his endless search of Elorado, that he missed so much in life. His life was the search of Elorado. That he only will find Elorado once he is so old and tired that he can't enjoy it. He misses the rest of what life had held for him.
The meaning of this poem for me is not to spend your life searching for "ELORADO" and enjoy life. because a life well lived can be more valuable than Eldorado.

| Posted on 2005-10-21 | by Approved Guest

.: :.

what this poem is talking about is a youg knight who is gallent, day and night with a high spirit in hope to find eldorado. eldorado means the golden one which comes from a south african tale about a king who would cover himself in gold flakes for festivals then wash himself off in the river. while he did so his men would dump jewels into the river. so men would spend the rest of there lives trying to find this king who did not really care about the gold and take it from him, or the wanted to find the deposit of the treasure.so this knight was one of those men. when he got old and didnot have as much hope he came across a shade(soul) that had spent his whole life doing the same thing. the soul pretty much tells him you can travel as high as the moon or as low as hell and you will never find Eldorado.so the shadow and the shade are both terms for a soul. its not talking litteraly about a shadow or shade!

| Posted on 2005-10-13 | by Approved Guest