When we Two Parted: Context

Question 1

What are the themes?

Answer 1

Loss, Distance, Death, Memory, Sadness, longing, Reminiscing, and heartbreak

Question 2

What is the context behind when we two parted?

Answer 2

• The poem was written about Lady Frances Webster who Bryon had some form of a relationship with.
• At the time this was written Lady Francis relationship with the Duke of Wellington became public and rumors spread
• Wellington was one of the few men whose fame rivaled—or even eclipsed Lord Byron’s. It is thought that Byron felt embittered upon hearing of this latter affair, and was thus spurred on to write the poem. This would explain some of the references to the speaker hearing the lover’s name associated with “shame” and “fame”—and why the affair was shrouded in secrecy.

Question 3

What happens in the poem?

Answer 3

• The speaker directly addresses a former lover who no longer shares any affection for him
• The account of the love affair may be one sided and show a unfair portrayal of the women being reflecting on Byron’s bitterness (Auto-biographical)

Question 4

Who is the author of the poem?

Answer 4

When we two parted

Question 5

What is the form/structure of the poem?

Answer 5

The rhetorical questions shows that Byron still requires closure on the relationship
- Consistent ABAB structure creates an effect of fate and certainity that the relationship is doomed
- Poem shifts between past, present and future tense emphasizing the author persistent pain
- Cyclical structure represents the no change/ stagnant feeling and emotions of the poet