she walks in beauty quotes

Question 1

analyse ‘b___ of d___ and b_____’

Answer 1

‘best of dark and bright’ - imagery suggest the woman’s beauty is pure, alliteration highlights the contrast between dark and light. This woman is the best of both - night and day - essentials

Question 2

analyse ‘serenely sweet’ and ‘So soft,so calm’

Answer 2

use of sibilance makes these lines sound soothing like her ‘sweet’ thoughts - links with ‘dwelling-place’ (first bit of information that isn’t about her appearance - subverts the expectations of Byron) and ‘soft’ smiles

Question 3

analyse ‘One shade the more, one ray the less’

Answer 3

antithesis - the contrast between dark and light is enhanced by the line’s balanced structure

Question 4

analyse ‘mind’ and ‘heart’

Answer 4

the nouns ‘mind’ and ‘heart’ are the first stressed syllables in these lines - the emphasis this gives them shows how much the narrative values aspects

Question 5

analyse ‘innocent!’

Answer 5

Byron finds this woman ‘innocent’ either because she’s never been in love, or because she is virtuous and pure - unlike him