Gardens

Gardens symbolize naivety. The naive lovers in the first stanza are depicted around the emblems of an English formal garden, with "fountains cool" and "shadows green" (4). In their innocent pairs, they remind readers of the story of Adam and Even in the garden of Eden.

The Sea

The sea represents the lack of control people have over their lives. The sea destroys the lover's family and many other lives in a moment. It is responsible, without knowing it, for his misery.

Stone

Stone represents a lack of sympathy. The hardness of stone means it is often used as a metaphor for callousness. In the poem, it symbolizes the uncaring nature of the world.

Storms

Storms represent sudden danger. The protagonist's entire life is metaphorically (and perhaps literally) followed by both thunder and lightning. This danger is unpredictable and beyond his control.

Cormorants

Cormorants symbolize greed. A...