Poetry Anthology - Love

Question 1

Valentine Context and Form

By Carol Ann Duffy

Answer 1

Written by Carol Ann Duffy, the UK’s first female Poet Laureate. Duffy’s poetry is often feminist in its themes and approaches.

First person narrative in free verse, no rhyming scheme. Free verse links to its unconventional approach to love and to send a warning to lovers.

Question 2

She Walks in Beauty Context and Form

By Lord Byron

Answer 2

Written by Lord Byron, one of the most famous Romantic poets. He believed in heart over mind and emotion over logic.

Rhyme scheme is conntrolled and regular, perfect. Rich varied language, alliteration and assonance. It is lyrical, written to be put to music.

Question 3

Sonnet 43 Context and Form

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Answer 3

Written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who had a lifelong illness. She eloped to Florence with Robert Browning against the wishes of her father. Vicorian era, part of the Romantic movement. Written about her husband.

Sonnet, 14 lines with a regular, yet flexible rhyme scheme. Autobiographical poem.

Question 4

Cozy Apologia Context and Form

By Rita Dove

Answer 4

Written by Rita Dove as a defence of her and her husband’s domesticated life. Set during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and is autobiographical.

3 ten line stanzas. Stanza one has five rhyming couplets. Rhyme scheme breaks down in stanza 2 due to the disruption of the storm. The irregular rhyme and rhythm supports the disgressional, tangential, conversational tone.

Question 5

Valentine Key Quotations

By Carol Ann Duffy

Answer 5

1. ‘Not a red rose or a satin heart.’
2. ‘I give you an onion.’
3. ‘It will bind you with tears like a lover.’
4. ‘Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips.’
5. ‘Platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring.’

Question 6

She Walks in Beauty Key Quotations

By Lord Byron

Answer 6

1. ‘She walks in Beauty like the night.’
2. ‘So soft, so calm, yet eloquent.’
3. ‘A heart whose love is innocent.’
4. ‘One shade the more, one ray the less.’
5. ‘Serenely sweet express.’

Question 7

Sonnet 43 Key Quotations

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Answer 7

1. ‘How to I love thee? Let me count the ways.’
2. ‘Smiles, tears of all my life.’
3. ‘I shall love thee better after death.’
4. ‘In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.’
5. ‘I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.’

Question 8

Cozy Apologia Key Quotations

By Rita Dove

Answer 8

1. ‘I could pick anything and think of you.’
2. ‘Chain mail glinting to set me free.’
3. ‘I fill this stolen time with you.’
4. ‘Sweet and dark with a hollow centre.’
5. ‘It’s embarrassing, this happiness.’