0% found this document useful (0 votes)
11 views2 pages

Poetry Assignment

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 2

Short analysis of :

 "Break, Break, Break" is a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1834. It is a melancholic
elegy that expresses the poet's grief and sorrow over the death of his friend Arthur Henry
Hallam. The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is
ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The repetition of the phrase "break, break, break" at
the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the theme of loss and
separation.

In the first stanza, Tennyson describes the sea breaking on the shore. He compares it to a "cold
gray stone" that never changes or moves. This image represents the unchanging nature of
nature itself, which continues to exist even after human life has ended.

In contrast to this unchanging nature, Tennyson expresses his own feelings of grief and sorrow
in the second stanza. He describes himself as standing "lonely" on the shore while he watches
"the waves lie down to die." This image represents his own sense of loss and despair as he
mourns his friend's death.

The third stanza shifts focus from Tennyson's personal grief to a more universal theme: the
inevitability of death for all living things. He describes how "the world goes on" even as people
die and are forgotten. This image emphasizes how insignificant individual lives are in comparison
to the vastness and permanence of nature.

Overall, "Break, Break, Break" is a powerful elegy that expresses deep emotions about loss and
mortality. Through its use of vivid imagery and repetition, it conveys a sense of sadness and
despair while also highlighting larger themes about human existence.
 "Dover Beach" is a poem written by Matthew Arnold in 1867. The poem is a reflection on the
state of the world and the human condition during the Victorian era. It is a melancholic and
introspective piece that explores themes of love, faith, and the loss of both.

The poem begins with a description of the sea at Dover beach, which is calm and serene. The
speaker then turns his attention to his companion, who is listening to the sound of the waves.
The speaker tells his companion that he hears something else in the sound of the waves – a
"melancholy, long, withdrawing roar." This sound represents the loss of faith in God and religion
that was occurring during this time period.

The second stanza continues this theme by describing how people used to believe in "joy, love,
and light." However, now they are left with only "ignorant armies" who fight for their own
selfish interests. The speaker laments this loss of faith and unity among people.

In the third stanza, the speaker turns his attention to his companion once again. He tells her that
they must be true to each other because they cannot rely on anything else in this world. He also
suggests that they must find comfort in each other's love because everything else is fleeting.
The final stanza brings together all of these themes by suggesting that even though there may
be no hope for humanity as a whole, individuals can still find solace in love. The speaker ends
with an image of "the eternal note of sadness" that runs through all things but suggests that
love can still bring meaning to life.

Overall, "Dover Beach" is a powerful reflection on the state of humanity during the Victorian
era. It explores themes such as faith, love, and loss while painting a vivid picture of Dover beach
as a symbol for these ideas. The poem's melancholic tone serves as a reminder that even though
life may be difficult, there is still hope to be found in love and human connection.
 Tears Idle Tears is a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, one of the most popular poets of the
Victorian era. The poem was published in 1847 as part of Tennyson's collection, The Princess: A
Medley. The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of change.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of three lines. The rhyme scheme is ABA,
with the first and third lines being iambic tetrameter and the second line being iambic trimeter.
This creates a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact.

The title itself, Tears Idle Tears, suggests that the tears shed are meaningless or futile. The first
stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by describing a feeling of sadness that cannot be
explained or understood. The speaker describes tears that are "idle" because they do not have a
specific cause or reason.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on his youth and how he felt at that time. He
remembers feeling happy and carefree but also acknowledges that those feelings were fleeting.
He realizes that he cannot go back to that time and must accept that life moves forward.

The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant as it describes a sense of loss and longing for
something that can never be regained. The speaker reflects on past experiences and
relationships that have ended, leaving him with only memories. He acknowledges that these
memories bring both joy and sadness.

In the final stanza, the speaker looks to the future with a sense of resignation. He knows that life
will continue to change and evolve but also recognizes that there will always be moments of
sadness and loss.

Overall, Tears Idle Tears is a powerful reflection on life's transience and our inability to hold
onto moments forever. Tennyson's use of language creates an emotional resonance with
readers as they too reflect on their own experiences of loss and change. The poem is a reminder
to cherish the moments we have and to accept that life will continue to move forward, whether
we are ready for it or not.

You might also like