Love’s Philosophy (P)

Question 1

Exposition

“The fountains mingle with the river,/ And the rivers with the ocean;”

Answer 1

A01
The narrator is questioning how nature embraces but they aren’t

A02
Combining verb “mingle” – repeated in L7 – gently flirtatious
Iambic rhythm established: calm/measured/logical pace
Compelling statements/constant references to nature establish his rhetoric: conviction that they should be together
love = natural/it’s only natural that they should be together.

AO3:
Shelley was an atheist and did not believe that desire was sinful.

Question 2

Mid-point

“All things by a law divine/ In one another’s being mingle -/ Why not I with thine?”

Answer 2

A01:
He is describing how nature mingles so why aren’t they?

A02
“law divine” – inverted noun phrase elevates the tone of his argument – the idea of their union is not only natural but “divine” – adjective creates sense of reverence/celestial concept

Stanza builds to rhetorical question which finally links the examples in natural to the personal – their relationship – in a direct appeal through rhetorical question/personal pronouns. This is the turning point from general to specific and personal.

A03
Perhaps he wants to showcase the frustration that can occur if your own pace is not reciprocated by your partner

Question 3

Denouement

“And the moonbeams kiss the sea -What are all these kissings worth,If thou kiss not me?”

Answer 3

A01
Shelley finishes with a final plea for romantic interaction with his lover, a kiss

A02
Romantic imagery of moonlight – soft illumination – repetition of intimate, personifying verb “kiss” – unity of nature should justify their own union.

Once again, stanza builds to final rhetorical question – shift to direct appeal
Final line = monosyllabic therefore emphatic, departure from iambic rhythm for stark interrogative.
A03
Kelley was known for writing about love and battling contemporary norms that passionate love was a sin in the late 1700s