Ideal for units on Gothic poetry (especially during fall/autumn and Halloween), this poem analysis worksheet helps high school readers interpret “Witch’s Brew” by Dorothy Quick, a piece that portrays the turbulent sea as a magical potion, using mythical and supernatural imagery to depict its relentless power.

By engaging with this poetry activity, students will:

• Determine the meaning of a complex word as it is used in the text (e.g., “woof”).
• Identify a common thread among a collection of verbs.
• Interpret metaphorical language in context (e.g., “A witch’s brew is the Antic Sea”).
• Conduct online research to ensure reading comprehension (e.g., the myth of the Augean stables).
• Infer the intended effect of an allusion in context (e.g., Neptune).
• Infer the intended effects of phrasing in context (e.g., “storied waves” and “the witch of time”).
• Apply knowledge of literary devices (e.g., personification).
• Describe tone in context.