Love’s Philosophy - Quotes + Context Flashcards
What two forms of meter is this poem written in?
Iambic Tetrameter and Iambic Trimeter. (2 sets of 4 and 2 sets of 3)
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “The ________ mingle with the _____ and the rivers with the ______, the _____ of heaven mix for ever”
Fountains, river, ocean, winds. This quotation implies that in the natural world, love is normal and ever present and even is so in God’s kingdom, therefore it makes sense if they follow suit, perhaps even implying that it would be going against God to not love one another, this is a form of persuasion being used by Shelley.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “Nothing is the world is _____, all things by a law ______”.
Single, divine. This quotation indicates that it is God’s wish for all beings to love and that perhaps by not loving him she actually going against God. This could be seen as a form of emotional blackmail.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “No ______-flower would be forgiven if it _________ its brother.”
Sister, disdain’d. This is another form of persuasion from Shelley by using platonic love to say that everyone should help and love one another, similar to the message of the bible and indicating that the best way to help Shelley would be to love him and that would perhaps be a form of serving God’s will.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “What are all these ________ worth if thou not ____ me?
Kissings, kiss. This rhetorical question indicates that Shelley’s idea of respecting the natural world was just a form of manipulation and his true desires were simply to love the woman. This portrays him as a hypocrite as he wants her to edge God but he is giving into his lustful desires.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “The waves ____ one another.”
Clasp. The use of this present participle verb shows how possessive and passionate he is as a lover.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does this act as a metaphor for the poem as a whole?
The poem is written in an ABAB rhyme scheme
What is the significance of the name of the poem? How could this possibly be seen as a contradiction?
The term ‘philosophy’ contrasts the natural and divine imagery utilised in the poem many times, as philosophy is seen as scientific which contrasts to divinity. This could explain some of Shelley’s more hypocritical statements in the poem.
What is the poem normally interpreted as being?
A response to something that the lover said that perhaps put strain on their love for one another.
How is love presented in Love’s Philosophy?
The love is deceitful as it is fueled by lust and persuasive.
How is the relationship presented in Love’s Philosophy?
The relationship is jovial and demonstrates the happiness felt by the speaker with his lover.
‘Nothing in the world is ______’
Single
He uses the argument of the unity of God’s creation to try to persuade his lover to continue their relationship.
How does the structure reflect Love’s Philosophy?
The rhythm gives the poem a heavy, dreamy fell highlighting the spontaneity of the poet’s thoughts.
What context point could you make for Love’s Philosophy?
Percy Shelley was considered one of the founding romantic poets who wrote linking nature, love and passion.
