‘When We Two Parted’ Lord Byron

Context ‘Mad, bad and dangerous to know’ Born January 22, 1788, Dover Died in 1824 at the age of 36 Was a leading figure in the Romantic Movement Had affairs with both men and women Ran up lots of debts So, Lord Byron had an affair with Lady Frances Webster in around 1813 In 1816 she started an affair with Lord Wellington He lied and said that he had written the poem in around 1808 – why might he have done this? Lady Frances Webster Lord Wellington Lord Byron Watch the first 3 minutes of the clip and summarise how Lord Byron is connected to both Lady Webster and Lord Wellington. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kpRFPBXtTU

Past He is addressing his former lover directly – makes it feel more personal Mean they had nothing left to say to each other, or their love was secret? When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this. Pale – death? Cold to touch – death? (metaphorically) Suggest that they weren’t properly in love with each other? Or because she was only half in love with him? Repetition of he harsh ‘k’ sound emphasises the coldness of the woman. ‘Sever’ - is a violent verb. It suggests the parting was painful

The cold dew on the narrator’s forehead reflects the coldness between him and his lover - foreshadowing STRUCTURE: switches to present feelings The dew of the morning Sank chill on my brow-- It felt like the warning Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken, And share in its shame. Her reputation is damaged (‘light’ = weak) because people know about her affairs Link to broken heart He is involved in her shame because he also had an affair with her He hears people talking about her affairs and it is painful to him Alliteration of ‘sh’ sound links to silence

Rhetorical question shows how deeply he felt for her – he can’t bear to hear that she’s having affairs with other men. Metaphor suggests that her name sounds like a death knell to him – sound imagery They name thee before me, A knell in mine ear; A shudder come o'er me-- Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee, Who knew thee too well-- Long, long shall I rue thee, Too deeply to tell. STRUCTURE: repetition – emphasises how long he will feel regret Thee – you He carries on addressing her directly, he is still preoccupied with her specifically Rue – regret He doesn’t just feel sadness, he regrets the relationship

No one knew they were lovers, so he can’t talk about their pain He mourns their relationship like a death In secret we met-- In silence I grieve, That thy heart could forget, Thy spirit deceive. If I should meet thee After long years, How should I greet thee?-- With silence and tears. Accusatory language suggests that he is angry with her STRUCTURE: switches to thinking about the future STRUCTURE: repetition – he’s still hurting and is unable to move on

Structure and form Alternate rhyme scheme – ABAB - CDCD Regular structure 4 verses each of 8 lines (octaves) Verses look neat and orderly but the emotions without it are painful and disturbed Is he trying to control his emotions? Is he trying to look controlled on the outside to anyone looking? Cyclical poem – shows that his feelings are the same now as they were then Internal monologue – what he would like to say

Accentual Verse Grief Metaphor Past/present Anger Repetition Regret Secrecy Cyclical Sadness Affair Rhetorical question Enjambment Reputation Internal Monologue Accentual Verse Grief Metaphor Past/present Anger Repetition Regret Secrecy Cyclical Sadness Affair Rhetorical question Enjambment Reputation Internal Monologue Accentual Verse Grief Metaphor Past/present Anger Repetition Regret Secrecy Cyclical Sadness Affair Rhetorical question Enjambment Reputation Internal Monologue Accentual Verse Grief Metaphor Past/present Anger Repetition Regret Secrecy Cyclical Sadness Affair Rhetorical question Enjambment Reputation Internal Monologue PARTED – SILENCE – HALF – SEVER – PALE – COLDER – FORETOLD – SORROW – MORNING – CHILL – WARNING – NOW – VOWS – LIGHT – I – SHAME – NAME – KNELL – WHY – THEY – RUE – SECRET – GRIEVE – FORGET – DECEIVE – IF – LONG – HOW - TEARS PARTED – SILENCE – HALF – SEVER – PALE – COLDER – FORETOLD – SORROW – MORNING – CHILL – WARNING – NOW – VOWS – LIGHT – I – SHAME – NAME – KNELL – WHY – THEY – RUE – SECRET – GRIEVE – FORGET – DECEIVE – IF – LONG – HOW - TEARS PARTED – SILENCE – HALF – SEVER – PALE – COLDER – FORETOLD – SORROW – MORNING – CHILL – WARNING – NOW – VOWS – LIGHT – I – SHAME – NAME – KNELL – WHY – THEY – RUE – SECRET – GRIEVE – FORGET – DECEIVE – IF – LONG – HOW - TEARS PARTED – SILENCE – HALF – SEVER – PALE – COLDER – FORETOLD – SORROW – MORNING – CHILL – WARNING – NOW – VOWS – LIGHT – I – SHAME – NAME – KNELL – WHY – THEY – RUE – SECRET – GRIEVE – FORGET – DECEIVE – IF – LONG – HOW - TEARS