The Magi are a class of Zoroastrian priests in ancient Media and Persia. The three Magi are traveling to Bethlehem to pay homage to Jesus Christ. As they make their way toward the saviour they begin to learn that the world around them has become full of corruption. Slowly, after time, the wise men realize that a death from this materialistic world is the only way to be born into the Kingdom of paradise. In his poem "Journey of the Magi," T.S. Eliot takes us, the reader, on a physical and spiritual journey by the use of several poetic devices; form and structure, the use of sound, engagement of the senses and figurative language.
             Eliot uses the form and structure of the poem to enforce the mythic construct of a physical and spiritual journey. He separates the poem into three sections or stanzas. First innocence: Spiritually and physically, the Magi have no idea of the hardships that a journey to praise the baby Jesus, will entail. To their alarm they begin to see the disgusting state that their world is in. Second the fall: The wise men separate themselves from the rest of their society. However, they have high expectations that the birth of Christ will be grandeur and when they arrive, they do not expect the birth to be so humble. Thirdly, there is redemption: One of the wise men seems to be reflecting on the events that passed. The Magus is finally able to understand the paradox that one must leave this world in order to be born into true utopia. This structure of a classical journey strengthens Eliot's spiritual and physical journey of the Magi.
             The use of sound is quite effectively employed by Eliot. By using assonance and repetition he produces an emotional moving poem. There are no harsh sounding lines. They all flow softly together. "The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bring sherbet" (9-10). This is just one example of assonance. The poem is full of
             ...