As to meaning, the most common view is that the poem symbolizes the search for the Ideal and the necessary courage in pursuing that quest. A variation of this reading argues that Eldorado represents death, reflecting Poe's belief that the Ideal can be found only in the timeless realm beyond physical existence.

What is the theme of Eldorado?

Death. Almost every line in "Eldorado" is about death, whether it's the knight's approaching death (his strength fails, he must go down the "valley of the shadow") or the death of his dream of ever findin...

What does the knight in Eldorado represent?

Stanza 1. The knight is full of hope and good spirits about his chances of finding the fabled golden city, just as Poe himself started life full of hope and good spirits. He was on a mission to find happiness, and maybe even fame and riches.