Significance of titles

Question 1

When we two parted

Answer 1

The vagueness and reticence of the poem is important due to the fact that it is incomplete. This shows how mysterious the speaker is.

The first two words have a soft ‘W’ sound which is called the fricative sound. Whilst the second two words have a closive sound, which is harsh. This represents the separation and the things that have been changed from love to anger.

Question 2

Love’s philosophy

Answer 2

The speaker wrote the title in such a way that he believes that there are certain laws that love must abide, hence the word ‘philosophy’.

The apostrophe represents how possessive and dominant Porphyria is in the relationship. The word ‘lover’ is ironic due to the fact that he eventually kills her, which further proves how the narrator is psychotically flawed in the poem.

Question 3

Sonnet 29 - I think of thee

Answer 3

As a convention to all sonnets, it gives a number and not a title, ·but is often referred to by it’s first line. At the time it was unusual for women to write poetry with sexual references to men. The poem was not meant for publication.

Question 4

Neutral tones

Answer 4

The word ‘neutral’ represents how impartial and unbiased their relationship is.