LOVES P

Question 1

context

Answer 1

• One of the Romantic poets
• Staunch atheist-was expelled from university for writing in favour of atheism
• Pacifist
• Vegetarian

Question 2

How does the poem fit the conventions of romanticism?

Answer 2

• It contains simple language

- Describes the natural world

Question 3

Rhyme scheme:

Answer 3

• Shelley’s use of rhyme is a mix of masculine and feminine rhyme
• The masculine and feminine rhyme literally mingle together in the same way as the speaker wants himself(as the masculine) to mingle with his lover (as the feminine).
• Therefore, the rhyme scheme reflects the mingling together of masculine and feminine which is what the whole line of argument is based on.

Question 4

Religious imagery

Answer 4

• The poet uses religious imagery such as ‘heaven’, ‘divine’ and ‘forgiven’
• This semantic field of religion may reflect the way the speaker sees his love as perfect, pure and holy.
• However Shelley was an atheist
• Perhaps the poet used such religious imagery in an almost satirical,tongue in cheek way; he is using every argument possible to try and persuade his lover.
• Presents speaker as disingenuous

Question 5

Structure

Answer 5

• Poem is structured asa formal argument in both verses
• The speaker lists 5 factual statement and follows them with a question
• By beginning with 5 assertions the speaker sounds authoritative and accurate.
• By ending with a question the weight of the argument is stronger as everything else seems to be true so it makes sense
• This repetitive structure may reflect the repetitive demands of the speaker
• Its almost as if the argument in the first verse was clearly not successful so he repeats argument in the second verse.
• Structural repetition presents the speaker as demanding
• This is backed up by the way the whole poem is filled with references to mingling in nature

Question 6

The language between verses reflects the speakers growing frustration and a sense of urgency which grows at being rejected

Answer 6

-The references to nature become more expansive as poem progresses
-In the first verse there is earth based imagery such as ‘river’, ‘mountain’
-In the second verse the imagery becomes more celestial and wider such as ‘sunlight’ ,’moonbeams’.
-This widening scope of imagery reflects the desperation of the speaker as he turns to grander and grander imagery to persuade his lover.
-The verb usage also becomes more desperate s the poem progresses
-In verse on the speaker uses gentle verbs such as ‘mix’ and ‘mingle’
-In verse two the speaker uses harsher verbs such as clasp’ and ‘kiss’
-The verb clasp particularly has connotations of gripping tightly
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