How do you pronounce the words "seraphs" and "sepulchre" in Poe's Annabel Lee poem?

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In Edgar Allen Poe's "Annabel Lee" how do you pronounce the following words: "seraphs" (line 11) and "sepulchre" (line 19 & 40)?

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Answers

Katie,

The use of the word Seraphs, I think, was intended as a reference to the six winged angels that stand beside the throne of heaven or in the presense of God. Webster's appears to indicate the pronunciation as 'ser-ahfs'. It should be noted, however, that Poe was from Richmond, Virginia and spoke with a Southern accent. This may have had some influence on how he pronounced the word himself but I suspect the southern inflection was minimal.

The word sepulchre is pronounced 'sep ul cur' in most cases and there is no telling what a southern accent will do to this word. Probably very little.

Regards,

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2000


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