Lullaby Flashcards
Introducing addressee.
“Lay your sleeping head, my love,”
“Lay your sleeping head, my love,”
In the first line of the poem Auden makes it clear who the addressee of his poem is - his lover. There is intimacy in his word choice which allows us to envision how close the two lovers are as they sleep together and provide one another both physical and emotion comfort.
Humanity.
“Living creature” “Mortal”
“Living creature” “Mortal”
Auden makes reference to human life through his word choice here. He recognises that humanity is not immortal and that each life must come to an end, and with that unfortunate predicament whatever love that is experienced within that life will also die, no matter the power or strength of it.
Powerful love.
“Soul and body have no bounds:”
“Soul and body have no bounds:”
This quote deepens the romantic nature that Auden has set in this poem. It enhances the power of this love and how two lovers are so deeply connected that they are actually becoming one together.
God of Love.
“Grave the vision Venus sends
Of supernatural sympathy,”
“Grave the vision Venus sends
Of supernatural sympathy,”
Venus is the God of Love who has blessed this connection and love upon Auden and his lover. Yet, while Venus has bless this union upon them, there are allusions to the morbid end to relationships. This is further emphasises through his word choice in the beginning of the quote.
Survival.
“Among the glaciers and the rocks”
“Among the glaciers and the rocks”
Auden’s imagery here helps us to comprehend the strength of the love between himself and his lover. It shows us that no matter what the conditions are, their love would withstand, even if it is the harsh conditions of the outside world.
Time.
“On the stroke of midnight pass
Like vibrations of a bell,”
“On the stroke of midnight pass
Like vibrations of a bell,”
The passage of time is a big idea portrayed by Auden during this poem and is repeated throughout because Auden knows that there is a definite end to the magic of his relationship with his lover. The ringing of the bell is like a constant reminder to Auden that time is passing and only taking him closer to the end.
Fortunes.
“Dreaded cards foretell,”
“Dreaded cards foretell,”
Tarot cards are symbols of hope and the future, but through Auden’s word choice he turns them into evil fortune telling objects. They don’t tell him what he wishes was reality and instead what he know is going to happen, what is indefinite - his love will end with death.
Sensual.
“Not a whisper, not a thought,
Not a kiss nor look be lost.”
