depicting one man's dreams throughout the night. However, upon a closer examination

of the literature, one will find the poem to be more an expression of the deeper current of

life, often only experienced at night through one's own dreams. Furthermore, the poem

hopes to awaken the reader to this current in hopes of bringing about a change in the way

we view reality. Metaphor, imagery and repeated themes are used throughout the poem

with the ultimate intent of awakening the human spirit to itself.

Where do we go when we sleep, and for what purpose do we sleep? This is the

illustrious idea posed by "Last Night As I Was Sleeping." Antonio Machado suggests

that perhaps our true life is that of the one experienced in our unconscious state of sleep.

Machado uses metaphors and symbols to reveal the experiences of the dreams to that of

the conscious life. The first stanza speaks of "a spring (that) was breaking out in my

heart..." (3-4). This "water of life" is not literally the leakage of water from one's heart,

words substance and potency. Nearly every line is a phrase that conjures an image to

The second stanza is particularly hopeful with its symbolism and metaphor towards the

and is vital to the development of the peom, and the awakening of the heart. It serves as

heat of a fire upon his own face, and the glowing light of the sun. Machado depicts these

the sensation of surprise and marvel. As the poem continues to describe the "spring (that)

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 995
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)