Written in the midst of World War I to mirror the biblical tale of David and Goliath, “Goliath and David” by Robert Graves conveys the theme that no matter how much one desires something, it is often out of one’s control. For example, Graves writes, “But… the historian of that fight/ Had not the heart to tell it right,” to preface the unconventional and dark plot to come (lines 11-12). The syntax and word choice from this part of the poem force the reader to pause and predict what will happen in the story. Analogous to the appearance contrasting the reality of World War I, the glory of the fight turns out to be deceitful. Furthermore, the story takes another unpredicted turn in which Graves uses vivid imagery to emphasize that the outcome of
