This stanza introduces Richard Cory as the man that the people thought he was through pleasant word choice however, in the third stanza the mood shifts when the speaker reveals the notion that there is a darker side to Richard Cory no one knew. He was also seen as a king in that he was powerful, respected, and successful (Sweet). This use of figurative language suggests that Richard Cory was a true gentleman down to his soul-he was pure of heart, kind, and good. The word 'crown' refers to the crown of his head, as well as a crown of royalty as he was seen as a king to the speaker and the townspeople.
Refer to both the sole's of his feet and his actual soul. Here, the words 'sole' and 'crown' are used both literally and figuratively.
