The Highwayman (poem) facts for kids

The Highwayman is a famous poem written by Alfred Noyes. It's a type of poem called a ballad, which means it tells an exciting story. The poem first appeared in a magazine in 1906. It quickly became very popular! In 1995, people even voted it one of "The Nation's Favourite Poems" in a big poll by the BBC.

What is The Highwayman About?

This poem takes place in England during the 1700s. It tells the sad story of a brave highwayman (a robber who rode horses on roads) and a beautiful girl named Bess. Bess is the daughter of a landlord. The highwayman and Bess are deeply in love.

A Story of Betrayal and Sacrifice

A man named Tim, who works with horses, is very jealous of the highwayman. Tim tells the authorities about the highwayman. Soldiers plan to catch the highwayman when he visits Bess.

Bess finds out about the trap. To warn her love, she makes a huge sacrifice. She uses a gun to make a loud noise, which tells the highwayman he is in danger. This act costs Bess her life.

The highwayman hears the warning and escapes. But when he learns that Bess died to save him, he is heartbroken. He rides back to get revenge. Sadly, he is killed on the highway.

In the very last part of the poem, it says that the spirits of the highwayman and Bess still meet. They appear on cold, windy winter nights.

Where Did the Idea Come From?

Alfred Noyes wrote "The Highwayman" when he was 24 years old. He was staying in a small house near a wild area called Bagshot Heath in Surrey, England. This place was full of heather plants and tall pine trees.

Noyes later said that the idea for the poem came to him one stormy night. The wind was blowing loudly through the pine trees. This sound gave him the very first line of the poem. He finished writing the whole poem in about two days.

How the Poem is Written

"The Highwayman" is known for being a great poem to read aloud. It uses strong pictures and sounds to help you imagine the story. For example, it describes the road as "a gipsy's ribbon, looping the purple moor." This helps you see the winding road.

The poem also uses words that repeat, like "A red-coat troop came marching - marching - marching -." This repetition makes the action feel more intense. Noyes wrote that the poem was a success because it came from a real feeling. He was truly excited by this kind of romantic story when he wrote it.

Poetic Style and Techniques

The poem uses a special rhythm called hexameter. This means each line has six main beats. It mixes different types of poetic feet, like iambs and anapaests, to create its flow.

Alfred Noyes also uses alliteration often. This is when words close together start with the same sound. An example is "ghostly galleon." He also uses refrains, which are lines or phrases that repeat in each stanza (a section of the poem).

While the poem feels like a romance because of the love story, it ends sadly. Like the famous play Romeo and Juliet, "The Highwayman" is a tragedy. It is also a classic example of a ballad.