Explain the use of personification in the poem "Snake."

D. H. Lawrence uses personification throughout his poem “Snake.” In order use this literary device he gives human qualities to the snake, and speaks about it as if it is a person. The narrator describes the snake as “someone” instead of as an animal.

Someone was before me at my water-trough, And I, like a second comer, waiting.

The description of the snaking drinking water uses personification as the water goes down its throat. Lawrence says that the snake drinks the water, looks around, and stops to “muse” for a moment. This means that the snake has the advanced ability to think, which is a human quality. In the seventh stanza he refers to the snake as a “guest” and in a later stanza the narrator states he is “honoured” the snake “should seek my hospitality.” This refers to the snake as a person who comes to visit.

Finally, the narrator personifies the snake by comparing it to a king.

For he seemed to me again like a king,

Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld,

Now due to be crowned again.