English - Summary of Poems Flashcards
After
One of the most striking features of the blind poet, Philip Marston’s, melancholic and lyrical poems is his consistent contemplation of death. Death had taken away from Philip Marston not only love, hope, and his most treasured friendships, but also brought upon him a deep mental darkness that surpassed even the physical darkness in which he resided. The poem “After” emphasizes the brevity of life and offers a nuanced and contemplative exploration of the complexities of time and its impact on our lives.
Nearing Forty
Explores the speaker’s changing feelings and thoughts as he nears the age of forty.
Reference of fading vision etc.
A Leave-Taking
The poem “A Leave-Taking” delves into the emotional turmoil experienced by the speaker as he comes to terms with the unattainable nature of his beloved’s affection and the futility of his efforts to win her love. He expresses a sense of resignation, accepting that the person he loves will not hear, see, or love him in the same way. The speaker contemplates leaving or moving on but ultimately remains unable to fully detach himself from the emotions and longing he feels.
Septet (7 lines per stanza)
AABABAA
Mostly Iambic Pentameter (Da-dum)
I Find No Peace
Sir Thomas Wyatt, the 16th-century poet, and diplomat, introduced the sonnet form in England. He translated Petrarch’s 134th sonnet consisting of eleven syllables into (often irregular) iambic pentameter sonnets. Wyatt imitated Petrarch’s form and language but also introduced subtle changes to express his own personal and political uncertainties. The sonnet focuses on love but while the original sonnet idealizes love, Wyatt’s is a depiction of the inner struggles due to the complexities and contradictions of love.
The specific inspiration behind the poem is unknown, however, scholars speculate that the intense emotion expressed in the poem can be linked to his relationship with Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII.
