When We Two Parted Flashcards
What is the poem about?
Byron expresses his sorrow at the loss of a relationship. He implies that the relationship was a secret so he is only able to grieve in secret.
What is the form of the poem?
Poem written in accentual verse but there are two stressed syllables per line throughout showing the two separate people. This verse is also common in old English perhaps showing their relationship is traditional and is flexible allowing expression of intense emotions.
What is the structure of the poem?
No progression in narrative to show pain is ongoing and repetitive.
What is the context of the poem?
Byron was a notorious Romantic poet who frequently had affairs and debts to pay. One of which was said to be his half sister. He created the archetypal Byronic Hero used in literary fiction.
Who wrote the poem?
Lord Byron
Finish and analyse the quote: “When we _______ //in silence _______” LINE 1-2
“When we two parted// in silence and tears”
Sombre mood introduced with tone of despair. Direct address to lover showing intimacy. Says “they” in stanza 3 symbolising how they are separate from others.
Finish and analyse the quote: “Half ___________” LINE 3
“Half broken hearted”
May be accusing his lover of only being half in love with him. Suggests they weren’t truly in love (affair). Could be referring to himself as half the couple left feeling empty without his other half.
Finish and analyse the quote: “Pale grew ______ and _______” LINE 5
“Pale grew thy cheek and cold”
Describes lover as a corpse suggesting that her feelings for him died. Death-like connotations=mourning relationship. Grew suggests relationships never ending but changing over time instead.
Analyse the quote: “The dew of the morning” LINE 9
dew= tears symbolising Byrons pain and anguish
Finish and analyse the quote: “a ____ to mine ______” LINE 18
“a knell to mine ear”
Sound of funeral bell adding to impression of speaker mourning death of the relationship. Paired with “shudder” in line 19 symbolises overwhelming of senses reflects consuming nature of relationship and heartbreak.
What is the last line of the poem?
“With silence and tears”
What can be said about the last line of the poem?
Emphatically ends with full stop showing the speaker has been left with no hope but only anguish. Repetition from stanza 1 emphasises secrecy and sorrow showing he is unable to move on.
