Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross

Nursery Rhyme by Mother Goose

Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady upon a white horse;
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes.

Summary of Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross

Popularity of “Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross”: Given its index number 21143 in Roud Folk Song collection, this beautiful nursery rhyme was composed by Mother Goose. The song refers to the market town of Banbury, which was located in the north of London around 50 miles at the time when Queen Elizabeth was ruling England. The beauty of the poetic output lies in its rhyme scheme and metrical pattern. It highlights the time of festivities at the arrival of a royal figure. The popularity of the poem rests on this indication of festivity.
“Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross” As a Representative British Regality: The quatrain is stated to have connections with the Elizabethan period. It is stated that Queen Elizabeth visited Banbury to inaugurate the ceremony of the stone cross installed in the city square. However, when she was on her way, the carriage broke down, yet she took the courage to continue with her ride. The white stallion and its rider became a show for the people. That is why the arrival of the royal figure is considered a point of festivity, as she became a symbol of happiness on account of the jingling of her jewelry as well as the bells of the horse. Also, that is the very reason that the white color appears prominent in regality. The poem urges the toddlers to have such a ride and sets examples of enjoyment.
Major Themes in “Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross”: Enjoyment, excitement, and music are three major thematic strands of the quatrain-sized poem. The poet has beautifully given it a heroic couplet rhyming pattern. In fact, the very music suggested in the fourth line has been inserted in the four verses of this poem. As the poem moves forward, it shows clearly that, like the fine lady, the children must enjoy horse riding, creating music with the bells and ornaments. It also shows that music and excitement go hand in hand during such travels. The beauty of the poem lies in this enjoyment of syncing music.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Ride A Cock Horse to Banbury Cross

Mother Goose used various literary devices to enhance the impact of this nursery rhyme. Some of the major literary devices she has used in this poem are as follows.

Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /e/ “Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes” and the sound of /o/ in “Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross.”
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick succession. such as the sound of /sh/ in “she shall.”
Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /r/ in “Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross” and the sound of /sh/ in “Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes.”
Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Mother Goose used imagery in this poem, such as “She shall have music wherever she goes, “Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes” and “Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross.”
Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature. The poet has used the metaphor of music as if it is her companion. However, it is an implicit metaphor.
Symbolism: Symbolism is using symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal meanings. The poem shows symbols such as the cross, horse, lady, and music to show the festivity of traveling.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Ride A Cock Horse To Banbury Cross

Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is an analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.

Diction: It means the type of language. The poem shows very good use of formal and poetic diction.
End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the stanza melodious. Mother Goose used end rhyme in this poem, such as cross/horse and toes/goes.
Heroic Couplet: Two verses having the same end rhyme is a heroic couplet. This quatrain poem has two heroic couplets showing the rhyming scheme of AABB.
Quatrain: A quatrain is a four-lined stanza borrowed from Persian poetry. This poem itself is a quatrain with an AABB rhyme scheme.
Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, and this pattern continues until the end.
Stanza: A stanza is a poetic form of some lines. This quatrain is a stanza as well as a complete poetic song.
Tone: It means the voice of the text. The poem shows an exciting, thrilling, and musical tone.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines are useful to quote about enjoyment in life.