2.3 Poetic Appreciation: "The Inchcape Rock" by Robert Southey
Poetic Appreciation: "The Inchcape Rock" by Robert Southey Title of the Poem The title “The Inchcape Rock” is fitting as it directly refers to the dangerous rock in the sea that causes shipwrecks. It also represents the central conflict of the poem—between the forces of good (represented by the Abbot) and evil (represented by Sir Ralph). The title immediately creates a sense of danger and curiosity. About the Poet Robert Southey (1774–1843) was a well-known English poet and scholar. He was born in Bristol and educated at Oxford. He wrote poems, essays, biographies, and historical works. He served as the Poet Laureate of England for 30 years. This poem is one of his famous works, written as a ballad in 1802, inspired by a legend from Scotland. About the Poem The poem tells the story of a kind monk, the Abbot of Aberbrothok, who placed a warning bell on the Inchcape Rock to protect sailors from crashing during storms. A pirate named Sir Ralph, out of envy, remov...