La Belle Dame Sans Merci
- Created by: Grob135
- Created on: 06-05-18 12:00
View mindmap
- La Belle Dame Sans Merci
- Context
- Uses conventions from this genre- compelling story; archaic language; simple rhyme scheme
- Keats was part of the 19th Century Romantic movement that reacted against 18th century society's interest in science
- Written at 24, died of TB 2 years later
- Structure/Form
- 1st three verses are a witness questioning him, 'O what can ail the, knight-at-arms/ Alone and palely loitering?"
- Final verse completes the framework, "And this is why i sojourn here/ Alone and palely loitering" This is repetition and a direct answer to the question.
- Middle section is a story/ reflection
- In the form of a twisted ballad- helps to convey the nature of the story
- Traditional rhythm cut short in final line of each stanza, ABCB not ABAB as expected
- Corrupt ballad- corrupt heroine
- Imagery/Language
- The knight is infatuated by the woman, "She looked at me as she did love", "And nothing else saw all day long" - This is then betrayed as he dreamed "The latest dream i ever dreamt"
- "La Belle Dame Sans Merci/ Thee hath in thrall", this conveys that the woman has complete control over the man
- Nature also plays an important role within the poem.
- At first their connotations are positive as garlands are made.
- She finds "Roots of relish sweet/ And honey wild, and manna-dew' These all give ideas of mystical power
- The idea becomes negative at the end as "the sedge is withered from the lake,/ And no birds sing"
- "Pale kings, and princes too,/ Pale warriors, death pale were they all" - The imagery of pale has lifeless connotations
- Compare
- Marriage/ partnership
- Romantic Love
- Betrayal
- Nature
- Conflict/ separation
- Context
Comments
No comments have yet been made