She Walks in Beauty Flashcards
who wrote it
Lord Byron
context
- many poets used nature to describe beauty
- romantic poet
- Lord Byron was known for his lavish lifestyle and scandalous affairs
when was it written
1814
key quotes
‘best of dark and bright’
‘So soft, so calm’
‘nameless grace’
‘best of dark and bright’
- the woman is an ideal mix of dark and bright things
-> poems suggests this is better than just being one or the other - contrast shows the woman is a balance of opposites, notably light and dark
- only talking about woman’s appearance - don’t learn anything about her
- poems rhyme structure reflects this
-> regular ABABAB rhyme structure, reflects the enduring nature of the woman’s beauty and how she’s a balance of both qualities
-> mostly in iambic tetrameter and uses a lot of enjambment, suggesting the narrator is overwhelmed by the woman’s beauty
‘nameless grace’
- adjective ‘nameless’
-> suggests the woman is so beautiful it can’t be put into words
The term “nameless grace” indicates that her allure transcends conventional descriptions. It is “nameless” because no single word or label can capture the full depth and mystery of her elegance. This reflects the poet’s recognition of beauty as something that defies categorization, existing beyond the limits of language.
In celebrating this “nameless grace,” Byron elevates the subject’s beauty to a level that resists logical analysis or reduction. It becomes a symbol for the sublime, where even the minutest alteration would cause the perfect blend of dark and bright to falter
‘So soft, so calm’
- use of sibilants makes these lines sound soothing
-> just like her ‘sweet’ thoughts and ‘soft’ smiles
The repetition of “so” emphasizes the extraordinary nature of her softness and calmness.
“Soft” suggests delicacy, tenderness, and an almost ethereal quality, reinforcing the poem’s idealized portrayal of beauty.
“Calm” conveys tranquility, peace, and grace, implying that her beauty is not just physical but also reflects an inner harmony.
