Edgar Allen Poe was a brilliant poet who often used many forms of symbolism to bring forth a deeper meaning in his works. Poe believed that poetry should stir the heart and soul and serve beauty above all else. The events of his life in reality often influence the use of his symbolism. This is very prevalent in his poem "Annabel Lee". The name Annabel Lee was most likely used, primarily, for its musical quality. The poem starts with Poe looking back on the life of him and his bride and right here he sets the pace for the rest of the poem by using a very even rhythm. When he writes 'the kingdom by the sea', I believe that he is saying that the life that they had together was perfect and happy and peaceful. He also says that Annabel Lee lived with 'no other thought than to love and be loved by me.' He was saying that she lived for him and that he lived through her. He and she both loved each other so much that they could not begin to believe that they could live without each other. Although, he does not say that he could think of nothing but her. Which is evidence of the time they lived in. The woman was the inferior being and the man was in control of her, therefore, it was Annabel Lee that could think of only him.
             In the second stanza, Poe hits on the fact that his bride was extremely young. When Poe married his true bride, Virginia, she was only about twelve or thirteen. This is a reference to this fact. He once again uses the phrase 'kingdom by the sea,' again stressing the fact of their intense love. Poe also says that the angels themselves where jealous of Annabel Lee and himself. Perhaps he believes that God and the angels were jealous of the love that he and his wife shared because it was so strong. He says that 'the winged seraphs of heaven coveted her and me.' A seraph is a fiery angel who protects God's throne. In a way he was saying that their l...