Poetry Anthology, When We Two Parted

About     

Written and published in 1816 however Byron said he had written this in 1808 to protect the subject, Lady Frances Webster, from scandal howevere he later discovered that she was having another affair with the Duke of Wellington. He expressed his anger in this poem. 

We know the poem is about Lady Frances as there was originally a fifth verse which named her however this final verse was never published showing he still cares somewhat about her and despite all the hurt she has put him through he still doesn't what to expose her to more scandal.

Themes:

• Seperation
  
• Forbidden love
• Failed relationships

Language

Throughout the poem there is a use of sibilance: "silence" "sever" "kiss" "shame" and "decieve". This creates anger and a hasty rhythm to the poem indicating this anger has been bottled up inside of him and he wants to release it.

"Knell"- noun, a knell is a funeral bell so Byron suggests whenever he hears Lady Frances' name he feels a pain and grief similar to that felt when someone has died yet it also constantly reminds him of the death of their relationship.

"Dew of the morning"- This suggests coldness and is a repeated theme within the poem as he describes her cheek as "cold" and her kiss as "colder". It is an example of pathetic fallacy as the sadness and coldness he is feeling is being reflected in the dew. The dew could also represent the tears he has shed over the breaking of this relationship.

Language

"A shudder comes o'er me"-verb, a shudder can be a result of extreme pleasure or one of disgust implying in the past Byron shuddered with pleasure when he was with Lady Frances however now whenever he hears her name a shudder of disgust and almost fear that she may come back and break his heart again.

"Silence and tears"- abstract nouns, this cyclical repetition of a key line highlights its importance as it starts the first stanza and ends the poem. At the start of the poem I think the silence represents the fact that he will never tell anyone about the affair as he, despite the hurt she has put him through, doesn't want to expose her to more scandal as he still cares for her however I think the silence at the end of the poem suggests he is too angry to ever talk to her again. In both cases the tears represent the grief felt, particularly by Lord Byron.

Structure and Form                                                                                                      

Rhythm-Uses an accentual rhythm (the lines have irregular length and pattern showing they are emotionally charged) suggesting Byron is very angry and upset. It breaks on line 5 and 7, mimicking the break up of their relationship which is mentioned and Byron's feelings.

"Who knew thee too well- Long,long shall I rue thee"- The use of the hypen shows Byron's emotion, particularly anger, has built up causing him to pause and compose himself. 

Change from past to present-The juxtoposition of the past and present shows that his feelings for Lady Frances have never changed despite the change in their relationship.