She Walks in Beauty

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Notorious reputation
Had wild behaviours and affairs with men and women
Regarded as ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’
Poem is of an event where he describes a woman he lusts for - wife of his cousin?

Question 2

Social And Literary Context

Answer 2

Poem published near start of Romantic period

Relates to key references to nature

Question 3

Structure / Form

Answer 3

18 Line Lyric poem, so written to be spoken or sung to music (probably designed to woo the lady as a traditional romantic gesture).
The poem has three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is regular and follows the pattern ababab. The rhythm of the poem is highly regular. This consistent rhythm emphasises the regularity of the subject’s walk but also her faultless perfection. Working against this rhythm, Byron makes much use of enjambment. It is almost as though the speaker cannot pause for breath in trying to tell the reader about how beautiful this woman is.

Question 4

cloudless

Answer 4

cloudless climes and starry skies

Question 5

dark

Answer 5

All that’s best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes

Question 6

nameless

Answer 6

half impaired the nameless grace

Question 7

pure

Answer 7

thoughts serenely sweet express / how pure, how dear their dwelling-place

Question 8

eloquent

Answer 8

So soft, so calm yet eloquent

Question 9

peace

Answer 9

A mind at peace with all below, / A heart whose love is innocent!