Broken Romantic Relationships

Question 1

Poems to Compare:

Answer 1

When we Two Parted - Lord Byron

Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy

Question 2

Relevant Context:

Answer 2

LB: was having an affair with Lady Frances Webster but she was having an affair with Lord Wellington, changed release date to protect her
TH: years after the poem, him and his wife were estranged before she died

Question 3

Structure/Form:

Answer 3

WW2P: internal monologue (can’t say it out loud); NT: dramatic monologue (confronting her to see the problems)
Both have regular rhyme schemes, WW2P: trying to stay in control of is emotions; NT: trapped in loveless relationship
Both have cyclical structure (WW2P: past to future; NT: past to present) hurt is inescapable

Question 4

Language:

Answer 4

Death – WW2P: “a knell to mine ear”, “colder thy kiss”, “I grieve”; NT: “fallen from an ash”, “alive enough to have strength to die”
Coldness in relationship – WW2P: “cold, colder they kiss”, “dew […] sunk chill on my brow”; NT: “winter’s day”
Unfaithfulness – WW2P: context + “share in its shame”; NT: “like eyes that rove”