When We Two Parted Flashcards
What affair is it thought ‘When We Two Parted’ is about?
Lord Byron and Lady Frances Webster who left him for Lord Wellington
What is ‘When We Two Parted’ about?
The loss of a relationship and the feelings that go with it: bitterness, regret and loss
How does the nature of their relationship affect how he reacts? Example?
It was an illicit relationship so he is unable to share his pain. (Frustration)
“In secret we met - In silence I grieve”
What is the rhyme scheme of ‘When We Two Parted’ and how many lines are there per stanza? Why
ABAB
8
Juxtaposes the feelings of loss and confusion.
His feelings haven’t changed.
The repetition of what phrase created a cyclical structure?
“In silence and tears”
(Second line and last line)
He is unable to move on.
What phrases link ‘When We Two Parted’ to death?
“A knell in mine ear” (funeral bell)
“Pale grew thy cheek” (should be flushed)
“Colder thy kiss”
How does Byron use pronouns to establish separate in ‘When We Two Parted’?
“we” is only used twice (once at the beginning and once at the end)
“me” and “thee” are used throughout the rest of the poem
How has Byron used time in ‘When We Two Parted’?
The fist stanza is written in the past (when they broke up)
The second and third are written in the present (discovers she has taken another lover)
The last is written in the future (imagines a future meeting)
What examples of bitterness and anger are used in ‘When We Two Parted’?
“Thy vows are all broken” (broken promises)
“Long, long shall I rue thee” (regret - there relationship was not worth the pain)
How does the narrator foreshadow the end of their relationship?
“Truly that hour foretold” (he knew their relationship was going to end)
“It felt like the warning” (he should have realised sooner)
How could you compare ‘When We Two Parted’ to ‘Neutral Tones’?
Similarities:
Use of death imagery to describe his lover.
Ominous and foreboding language.
Another narrator stuck in a painful situation.
Differences:
‘Neutral Tones’ used natural imagery.
‘When We Two Parted’ has a more dramatic tone
How could you compare ‘When We Two Parted’ to ‘Porphyria’s Lover’?
Similarities:
Very similar rigid form used to contrast to the narrator’s uncontrolled mental state.
End of a relationship.
Differences:
‘Porphyria’s Lover’ uses language to make it seem like his lover is still alive whereas ‘When We Two Parted’ portrays his partner as dead when they are still alive.
How does the narrator regret his love?
“A shudder comes o’er me”
“Why wert thou so dear?”
How is the partner portrayed in ‘When We Two Parted’?
She has a reputation of being promiscuous:
“And light is thou fame”
