The Sick Rose

Question 1

Who wrote it?

Answer 1

William Blake

Question 2

What movement is it and what years?

Answer 2

Romanticism

1790 - 1840

Question 3

Give 3 interpretations?

Answer 3

1. A wilting flower
2. A man cheating on his wife/STDs
3. The war

Question 4

What form is it and why?

Answer 4

A ballad because of the two quatrains with the rhyme scheme ABCB

Question 5

Analyse the form?

Answer 5

The ominous rhythm contributes to the sense of foreboding and dread

Question 6

Give quote 1?

Answer 6

“O Rose thou art sick.”

Question 7

Analyse quote 1?

Answer 7

The capitalisation of ‘Rose’ suggests it is a woman’s name.
However it may be the flower, which usually has connotations of nature, beauty, lust, love and passion.
The narrator is bluntly diagnosing them, as conveyed by the abrupt full stop, whether it is the woman is dying, or the flower wilting.

Question 8

Give quote 2?

Answer 8

“The invisible worm”

Question 9

Analyse quote 2?

Answer 9

Worms are usually found in the ground or diseases and symbolise death and decay. The bed it finds could be the flowerbed or the lovers bed.
Also, the slow movement of worms and the fact that it is invisible gives a sense of unease to the reader.

Question 10

What type is it?

Answer 10

Poem