Poetry Anthology: when we two parted

Question 1

‘when we two parted in silence and tears’

Answer 1

devastation
heartbreak
not a clean parting
silence as their relationship was secret

Question 2

they name thee before me, a knell in mine ear

Answer 2

end of the era of their relationship
death to their relat.
death imagery (knell)
Embarrassment/ pain/ grief/ regret)

Question 3

thy spirit deceive

Answer 3

lied to him ( and others ) about who she was
wasn’t honest or faithful

Question 4

how should i greet thee? with silence and tears

Answer 4

cyclical poem
doesn’t know how to act around her
still in pain from the break
protecting her from shame by keeping the relationship secret showing he still cares for her
resolved to never speak again

Question 5

death imagery

Answer 5

‘pale grew thy cheek and cold,
colder thy kiss’
‘a knell in mine ear’
shows death of relat and mourning/grieving

Question 6

cold imagery

Answer 6

‘colder thy kiss’
‘the dew of the morning
sunk chill on my brow’
shows lack of loving warmth

Question 7

‘colder thy kiss’

Answer 7

emotional detachment
blaming lover for end of relat, rather than his own actions

Question 8

secrecy

Answer 8

‘in silence and tears’ cant tell anyone about it
‘they know not i knew thee’ he knew her a lot better than other people thought
‘in secret we met, in silence i grieve’