Isabella and her pot of basil Flashcards
The first line of the poem describes Isabella as an innocent and weak character. She comes across as the tragic victim.
“Fair Isabel, poor simple Isabel!”
There’s a build up for a tragic downfall and a sense that the idea of order is going to be disrupted. (dramatic irony)
“With every morn their love grew tenderer, with every eve deeper and tender still;”
Physical Description of Isabella - comes across as somewhat intimate and sexual on Lorenzo’s part.
“But her full shape would all his seeing fill;”
Shows the purity of Isabella. That she is still sweet and innocents.
“Until sweet Isabella’s untouched cheek.”
Narrators voice (sort of sarcastic) appears to mock the romance between these two characters. The narration brings the reader out of the story.
Alas! When passion is both meek and wild!”
Contrast in nouns. Shows that not everything is perfect in this poem.
“A dreary night of love and misery,”
The first time Isabella speaks, also shows how they don’t communicate their love to one another. Adding to the romance factor of this poem.
“Lorenzo!’ - here she ceased her timid quest.”
Lorenzo’s confession of love - could be considered his hamartia. So this is a turning point within the poem.
“Believe how I love thee,”
Development in character, he gains confidence when confessing love.
“his erewhile timid lips grew bold,”
Their romance is used as a metaphor for their love.
“Grew, like a lusty flower, in June’s caress.”
Romantic imagery and description.
“The inward fragrance of each other’s heart.”
Lorenzo and Isabella’s love blinds them and how reality is nothing to them only love matters.
“Unknown of any, free from whispering tale.”
Narrator breaks the story again, stopping us from getting attached to the characters.
“Were they unhappy then? - it cannot be-“
Narrator commenting and mocking past love poems.
“Too many tears for lovers have been shed,”
Foreshadowing of what is to come within the poem.
“Know there is richest juice in poison-flowers.”
