She Walks in Beauty Flashcards
(11 cards)
Context
• He is considered a romantic poet
• He was known for his lavish lifestyle and numerous love affairs
• As a result of his failed marriage and affairs he left England in 1816 and never returned
• The inspiration behind his poem is that he saw a beautiful woman at a fashionable London party
Form
ABABAB rhyme scheme: Reflects how she is a balance of different qualities
Enjambment: The narrator is overwhelmed by the woman’s beauty
Reflects the enduring nature of the woman’s beauty
Structure
Three stanzas of equal length: Indicates he thinks her personality is the most beautiful
As the poem progresses, it focuses more on her inner beauty rather than her physical appearance
Summary of poem
The narrator describes a woman he has seen, taking in her individual features in turn
He suggests her appearance reflects her personality
Mood
Admiration - he is amazed by her
Attentiveness - thinks about her physical appearance and personality
Romantic, calm, soft tone
emphasises the woman’s perfection - praises each part of her
Language
Light and dark imagery - purity of the night sky reflects her beauty
Antithesis: Contrasting ideas are reinforced by repeated structure
‘One shade more, one ray less’: Suggests any slight change would reduce her beauty
Key Quotes
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies
A heart whose love is innocent!
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies
- Simile: Compares her beauty to a calm, clear night sky
- Alliteration: Emphasizes elegance
- Light and dark contrast: Mystery and purity
- Balance between inner and outer beauty - light and dark
A heart whose love is innocent!
- The goodness of her heart
- Exclamation mark: Shows excitement
- Her love is virtuous and pure
- emotionally and spiritually pure
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
- Sibilance: softens tone emphasising elegant presence
- Angelic imagery
- Gentle and graceful thoughts - deep inner peace
- Harmony between mins and appearance
