My question is if I were to cite a specific portion of a poem from one line (see bottom for the poem), like for example in my essay if I wanted to say -the unwelcome bed - would I put quotations on it and a citation or should I just leave it because I want to talk about the symbolism the unwelcome bed has and not the rest of the line.
Also when citing a main character from a book do I put sling quotations around it i.e. 'Alice'?
Come, hearken then, ere voice of dread,
With bitter tidings laden,
Shall summon to unwelcome bed
A melancholy maiden!
We are but older children, dear,
Who fret to find our bedtime near.
I already answered your question about citing poetry.
About a book's character's name, no quotation marks are used.
no
When citing a specific portion of a poem, it is recommended to use quotation marks to indicate that you are referencing a specific phrase or line. In your essay, if you want to discuss the symbolism of "the unwelcome bed," you can put it in quotation marks. For example, you can write:
"The poet describes the melancholy maiden being summoned to 'unwelcome bed,' which symbolizes..."
As for citing a main character from a book, it is not necessary to use quotation marks around their name, especially if it is a well-known and established character. Simply mentioning the character's name in the essay is usually sufficient. For example:
"Alice goes through a transformative journey in the novel..."
However, if there is a need to emphasize or discuss the specific name itself, you may use quotation marks in that context. For example:
"The character known as 'Alice' represents..."
Remember that citation styles may vary depending on the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the citation format you are using (e.g., MLA, APA). It is always a good idea to consult a style guide or ask your instructor for clarification to ensure proper citation practices in your essay.