Here you are with a selection of poems about love. We are starting with the 'Desolations' chapter from our 'Love through the Ages' anthology.
To get us started, I'd like you to browse through this collection - they are from different poets writing in very different eras. See if any take your fancy.
The first question is 'What is the difference between Larkin's view of love in 'Talking in Bed' and Eliot's in 'Dedication to my Wife'?
Think about:
- how they convey their feelings and make use of familiar poetic devices
- how they have been influenced by the time they were writing (Larkin in 1964 and Eliot in 1957)
Can you compare these poems to a contrasting poem written at a different time?
Larkin's poem has a very sad and lost tone, the poet has lost the love for their partner and finds it difficult to communicate, and perhaps says things that are 'unkind' just to fill the silence.
ReplyDeletePatheticfallace is used in stanzas 2 and 3 to show that is going on in his head and the emotions he is feeling, in comparison to the still, silent awkwardness that he is feeling when laying next to his partner.
Larkin's poem has a regular structure to resemble the stagnant relationship with his partner.
Larkin's poem has a regular structure to resemble the stagnant relationship with his partner
DeleteReally like this comment, I hadn't thought of it before. Can you find another poem that uses structure in a similar way?
It could also be suggested that Larkin has an angry tone throughout his poem, as he uses a type of weather hated by most in order to portray his feelings towards the situation he is in.
DeleteIt could also be suggested that Larkin has an angry tone throughout his poem, as he uses a type of weather hated by most in order to portray his feelings towards the situation he is in.
Delete“Talking in bed ought to be easiest,”, Larkin claims that the actual act of talking should be so simple, yet he is unable to his partner like he used to.. “Lying together there goes back so far,” that they have lied together in bed before however, at the present time it does not seem the same and it is different. That the time has gone so quickly and in silence, almost boredom. The build-up of the wind and clouds personifies Larkin’s thoughts. “The wind’s incomplete unrest”, could have two meanings, that the wind is not resting completely so it is continuous or that the wind has not had a full rest that it is “incomplete” so it is calmer, much like Larkin’s thoughts, where they happen “quickly” or in “silence”.
ReplyDeleteLike the link between wind and thoughts not resting.
DeleteLarkin looks at love with a less common view and seems to take a very sombre interpretation. He presents an image of a couple who are suffering a breakdown of communication and gives the reader the impression that the love that the couple felt for each other cannot be retrieved. Larkin maybe trying to covey that they both feel not only isolated from the world around them but also secluded in their own bed. Larkin uses imagery when talking about 'dark towns heap up on the horizon'. By using this negative natural imagery he is able to convey the idea that the couple are not feeling a sense of fulfilment.
ReplyDeleteLike the isolation from the world and each other link.
DeleteI agree that 'dark towns heap up on the horizon' is a form of negative imagery conveying how the couple no longer feel a sense of fulfilment within their relationship. However, I think that the line 'the wind's incomplete unrest builds and disperses clouds in the sky' is also a form of dark imagery, which could represent how their love for one another has been dispersed and torn apart by the dark outside world, causing them to no longer be able to find words for each other that are 'true and kind'.
DeleteYou mentioned how Larkin shows the couple feel isolated from the world, reflected with them secluded to their bed. But I also feel the setting of a bed reflects the feeling of lust, showing this is all Larkin feels. Perhaps before he thought this feeling was love, and only now realises they are two very different things, explaining his emptiness inside. Larkin uses words such as 'ought to be' to reflect how reality does not match up to his expectations. His confusion of love and lust could act as an explanation to why reality is dull in comparison to expectations society are suppossed to meet.
DeleteLarkin presents a dismal image to the reader, he shows us of a broken marriage. Where the couple feel so alone and isolated that they find it challenging to engage in conversation 'talking in bed ought to be easiest'. Not only this but they also feel isolated from the world outside of the window. The structure of this poem is in four stanza's with an iambic pentameter creating a sombre tone. Larkin shows language features in his poem, imagery is used with the 'dark towns heap up on the horizon' also a metaphor as all around them new buldings are being built. In contrast with the fact that they can't seem to rebuild their relationship.
ReplyDeleteInteresting link between the building of new towns and lack of building in their relationship. (No ' in stanzas please).
DeleteI agree that 'dark towns heap up on the horizon' could be a metaphor for how buildings are being built, while they are unable to rebuild their relationship. However, it could also represent how the dark outside world filled with reality has ruined their once 'true and kind' love. Also, the regular structure of the poem could resemble how regular and boring their love has become, as they feel little excitement towards one another anymore.
DeleteI agree, however I also feel the line 'dark towns heap up on the horizon' reflects a darker side of love. A horizon alone would have acted as pleasant imagery to describe the feeling of love, however Larkin describes dark towns blocking the view. This could be acting as a metaphor, describing how at the beginning his love was like a horizon, but now there is darkness blocking him from feeling that love again. The alliteration on the letter 'h' possibly emphasises his hopelessness.
DeleteLarkin's poem 'Talking in Bed' is written by Philip Larkin in four, three line stanzas; there appears to be no regular rhyme scheme which may mean that Larkin is trying to write his thoughts in the way that he wishes, so it is more personal to him, it shows a stream of honesty from Larkin. The use of iambic pentameter shows a serious nature to what Larkin is writing about, now that they are talking in bed they are finding it hard not to say things that arent 'untrue' or 'unkind'.
ReplyDeleteLarkin writes how when you're with your loved one 'talking in bed ought to be easiest' as it is a figure of of 'two people being honest', however this isn't the case with his loved one. Love seems to be scant between them as Larkin focuses on the 'outside' and what is occuring there, rather than the partner next to him. The relationship has gone in to decline as after the honeymoon phase and the years together they have are out to hurt one another rather than say words that are 'true' and 'kind'.
Larkin's poem is written in 1964; at this time there was the development of new towns which has influenced his writing. Larkin has been influenced by the modern ways of life and the excitement of following new ventures; this may have influenced Larkin's writing as he is a lot more honest about his true feelings towards his partner and he may believe that there are newer things on the 'horizon' for him just like the towns that are rising.
'A Dedication to My Wife' written by T.S. Eliot is the opposite of Larkin's poem; Eliot writes about the intimate love that he has for his wife. Eliot writes about the need for one another as he writes that they 'think the same thoughts without need of speech' and that they 'babble the same speech without need of meaning'. This is a love that cannot be affected by outside sources such as the 'winter wind' or the 'sullen tropic sun' as they feel too strongly for one another.
Eliot's poem also has no regular rhyme scheme; this may be because Eliot feels so passionately about his wife that he wishes to divulge his true feelings quickly. There is also the frequent use of personal pronouns throughout the poem which allows the poem to feel personal from the readers point of view, as if they themselves could be saying it to their wives. The couplet at the end of Eliot's poem explains why he has written the poem; it may be because he wishes the 'public' to know the true feelings about his wife as he is truly unashamed that their love is this strong.
Eliot's pem was written in 1957, not long after WW2 had ended so there were still rations and the living conditions weren't to the usual standard. Eliot wrote his poem in a time where people married purely for love as they had very little else, so the passion that's shown in his poem is genuine and heartfelt.
Like the link about honesty here - honest about things going wrong for Larkin and right for TS Eliot. Good link about the influence of the post WW2 era on the poets.
Delete'Talking In Bed' by Phillip Larkin conveys a very sombre image of love to the reader and describes how 'it becomes still more difficult to find' the words to say to each other. He clearly conveys the sense of broken communication within the poem, however Larkin enables to reader to create their own perspective of love, whether this be negative or positive due to the fact that the couple may feel so comfortable with each other that they feel they do not need to speak in order to communicate. This is supported by the structure of the poem which consists of three stanzas made up of three lines each. The continuous structure may reflect the continuous silence between the couple. Whereas, 'A Dedication to My Wife' by T.S. Eliot conveys a very different image of love. His poem describes his 'dedication' to his wife, and how he feels so passionately about it that he wanted to express it within a poem for 'others to read'. His immense love for his wife is supported by the use of metaphors such as 'leaping delight' as this shows how Eliot's emotions are so vivid and magnified due to the love of his wife. Furthermore, the repetition of words such as 'same' and 'ours' shows how Eliot sees himself and his wife are one and the 'same' instead as of separate individuals.
ReplyDeleteLike the analysis of structure here Laura and how it emphasises emotion. Larkin's stanzas and Eliot's repetition are key features that shape meaning here.
DeleteLarkin's use of structure within his poem 'Talking in Bed' and Eliot's use of repetition throughout 'A Dedication to My Wife' have very similar effects but with very different meanings. Larkin uses a very simple, repetitive structure so as to reflect the fact that the couples relationship within the poem is long and as repetitive as the meticulous structure. Whereas, Eliot uses repetition of language such as 'same' and 'our' to show how the couple have been in each others lives for so long that they feel as if they are 'one'. The uses of repetition reflects two very different types of relationships, a dedicated and loving relationships and a long and unloving relationship.
DeleteA Dedication to My Wife by Eliot surrounds eternal, ceaseless and almost possessive love with his partner. 'To whom I owe the leaping delight' this line presents the image that his partner has done something amazing for him to owe her so deeply. 'No peevish winter wind shall chill' this line shows his dedication and loyalty towards his partner.
ReplyDeleteThe rhyming couplet at the end of the poem makes it evident that it is publically known that he is madly in love with her and the love will never be lost. The poem is almost written like wedding vows when he declares and presents his feelings to his wife.
Interesting link to wedding vows; TS Eliot wrote this poem for his wife to have on their wedding day and many couples use the poem as part of the wedding ceremony.
Delete'Dedication To My Wife' by T.S. Elliot can be contrasted with 'Talking In Bed' as we are able to see that Elliot is trying to convey love in a more romantic style. Elliot makes a much more heartfelt and meaningful interpretation of love. He tries to encompass all of his passion and affection towards his wife in this one sincere message. The use of words such as 'same' shows how strongly he feels about his wife and that they are almost one person. These two poems are a direct contrast and enable us to see the different view points that poets had.
ReplyDeleteYes the meanings are very different. But how do the two poets use poetic techniques? Are they similar even though emotion is different or are they different because emotion is different?
DeleteBoth poems use different techniques in order to convey a different meaning and give the reader a different impression of what love is. Larkin uses negative natural imagery so as to convey the fact that the couple are not feeling a sense of fulfilment, when talking about 'dark towns heap up on the horizon'. However Elliot uses different language techniques within his poem as he is trying to give a contrasting representation of love. Elliot uses a metaphor of 'leaping delight'. This may convey that he loves his wife so much that even his emotions are alive. This therefore presents the idea that the poets use different techniques as they are portraying two versions of love.
Delete'A Dedication to My Wife' is a poem where T.S. Eliot presents how he loves and feels for his wife. The last two lines of the poem 'this dedication is for others to read: These are private words addressed to you in public' this conveys how he wants this poem to be personal and private to his wife but yet still wants others to know how he feels for her.
ReplyDeleteThe structure of this poem is in four small stanza's with an irregular pentameter. Language is used in the first stanza 'To whom i owe the leaping delight' a metaphor which reflects the first stage of falling in love. T.S. Eliot highlights in his poem how love is eternal. This poem is very different to Larkins, as it conveys a happy relationship.
In the third stanza T.S. Eliot uses imagery of nature 'No peevish winter wind shall chill' this could present how although the seasons and weather may change, it will not affect his relationship and their love will still stand strong.
Interesting point about telling deeply personal feelings to the general public. What is gained from doing that? I am not sure about that, what do you think?
DeleteT.S. Eliot tells his deeply personal feelings to the general public as it enables him to express his love for her, he wants to show how much she means to him, while at the same time keeping a sense of privacy.
DeleteRhian-
ReplyDeleteThe poem ‘Talking in Bed’ conveys feelings of awkwardness. Were a couple feel isolated in their relationship however cannot talk to each other and reconstruct the intimacy whereas T.S Eliot has a different interpretation of his relationship in ‘Dedication to my wife’ as he has the “rhythm that governs the repose of our sleepingtime”. Eliot describes his speech to his wife as the “same thoughts without need of speech” which counteracts with ‘Talking in Bed’ by Philip Larkin as the silence between them implies a level of rejection in their relationship. Larkin claims that the act of talking should be simple yet he is unable to talk to his partner the way they used to “Talking in bed ought to be easiest,”. However on the other hand Eliot addresses the intimate love he has with his wife. ‘Talking in Bed’ has a structure of an iambic pentameter with five feet which gives it a sombre tone. Whereas ‘Dedication to my wife’ has an irregular structure which gives a more adored tone which shines through when expressing how he feels about his relationship with his wife.
So how would you summarise the poets' use of structure here? How does structure influence tone? Can you find another poem in the anthology that backs up your point?
DeleteIn 'Dedicated to My Wife' Eliot has no set structure throughout the poem, this gives a more breathtaking tone to the poem due to the thoughts taken by T. S Eliot. A poem that links to this same tone is 'Love not me' written by John Wilbye, both poets express feelings that are only felt through 'love'. However 'Talking in Bed' has a more sombre tone as the world outside is being constructed and the couple feel isolated even when together in bed.
DeleteITS GAVIN...
ReplyDeleteLarkin’s ‘Talking in Bed’ and Elliot’s ‘Dedication to my wife’ show a contrast of emotion between two couples. Larkin’s poem shows the loss of feelings between this couple, and how this couple has a lack of interest for each other. This is a direct contrast to Elliot’s poem that shows how love should be shared between two people. Throughout ‘Talking in bed’ Larkin uses very ‘unkind’ words to fill the silence that is taking place. Both poems show a range of emotions of different poets in the time of their writing.
Need to read some of the other poems, Gavin, to back up your points about the 1950s and 60s.
DeleteJM- Larkin’s ‘Talking in bed’ and Eliot’s ‘Dedication to my wife’ show a contrast in emotion between two couples, Larkin shows how the passion of love fades away over time, whereas Eliot shows how they become one, as if they’re the same person. They ‘think the same thoughts’ and ‘smell of each other’ it represents the intimacy shared between two people. On the other hand, Larkin shows the decay of love as it comes to end. He presents a sense of broken communication in the poem however he also allows the reader to create their own opinion of love.
ReplyDeleteDo you think these poems show the difference between new love and old love Joe?
Deleteyeah
DeleteA more positive tone than of Larkin, where T.S. Elliot describes the compatibility between himself and his wife, “Who think the same thoughts without need of speech, And babble the same speech without need of meaning.”, that no explanation is needed to each point either of them make. A contradictory point of how T.S. Elliot is not ashamed to express his thoughts to his wife yet publicly, “But this dedication is for others to read: These are private words addressed to you in public.”
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of this public declaration though? How do you think this makes her feel?
DeleteThe public declaration makes T.S.Elliot’s wife feel appreciative and illustrious through Elliot’s poem. That Elliot has nothing to hide in terms of his description of his wife. As well as that he may feel that he needs to go to such lengths, of making a public declaration to almost prove his admiration and love for his wife. His wife’s response to this is unknown, as she may take the gesture negatively, for example, in embarrassment. Or she may take the gesture in a positive view as she becomes aware of the intensity of T.S.Elliot’s love for her.
DeleteTalking in bed by Philip Larkin portrays a couple who have trouble communicating and endure awkward silences where there should be comfortable silence or conversation. The couple are physically close, lying side by side but mentally very distant. Larkin understands that the relationship isn't what it "ought to be". He uses natural imagery to represent his state of mind. The impending break up builds up a storm in his mind. The "clouds" and "wind" fog his brain and make him question his relationship. The weather could also have been used by Larkin as the weather isn't something you can control. This reflects his feelings towards his partner. He wishes he felt something for them like "back so far" he did but it's uncontrollable. Talking in bed was written in the 60's. Larkin refers to "towns dark rising up which could be a reference to the acceptance of things like divorce in a lot of countries. He could even be considering separation or divorce from his own partner.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the development of new towns is a positive or negative thing in this poem? How do you think the speaker in this poem deals with change?
DeleteIn this poem Larkin describes the rising of new towns as 'dark' which suggests that it is meant in a negative way. He also uses the word 'heap' which could be used for the same reason as the stormy weather is used, to represent the speakers state of mind. He has heaped conflicting feelings about his partner and doesn't know what to do. The 'Horizon' is meant by Larkin as the limit of his speakers interest in their relationship and their partner.
DeleteNegative tone is so sad as you say. Can you find another poem where loss of love is explored using similar emotion?
ReplyDelete'A Dedication to My Wife' by T.S Elliot portrays a postive image of love; Elliot uses joyus imagery by using words such as 'leaping delight' which could suggest that he has had good experiences of love. The use of long sentances such as 'The roses in the rose-garden which is ours and ours only' could suggest that that he is passionate about love and has a lot that he wants to express.
ReplyDelete'Talking in Bed' by Philip Larkin is in complete contrast to 'A Dedication to My Wife' as the outlook that he has on love is negative. The use of short sentances that are finished with full stops portrays a bitterness that Larkin has towards love. Also, Larkin uses words that reflect his postion in this relationship; for example, 'incomplete unrest' could suggest that he is feeling restless in the relationship.
In 'Talking in Bed' by Philip Larkin, the idea of questioning the state of a relationship is portrayed through links of isolation within a relationship and is emphasised as normality through the use of iambic pentameter. However T.S Elliot, tells you the state of their relationship through the use of connotations such as "breathing in unison" suggest the idea of similarity and mutually dependant.
ReplyDelete'Talking in bed' speaks of the complexities involved in relationships, specifically in reference to true loves failure to withstand the test of time. In the last line, Larkin questions whether true love is even the foundation of relationships at all. The use of negative language is paired with the tone Larkin appears to have, such as 'unrest'. He appears bored, and although he appears to enjoy the fact he can fall back on his relationship for stability, he feels like the love has gone stagnant.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, 'A Dedication to my Wife' conveys true love and dedication. The imagery created is of a happy one. The first stanza appears to focus on the similarites of the pair, and how they share a happy common ground. This poem has an irregular metre.
I agree that the imagery created in 'A dedication to my Wife' is happy. T.S Elliot creates a sense of excitment that is coming through to the reader, by using word such as 'quickens my senses' and 'leaping delight'. Although the poet presents similarities in the first stanza, in the second stanza, T.S Elliot doesn't use first person, but uses third person. This could create personal emotions for the reader as they may be able to relate to what the poet is portraying.
DeleteLarking writes in the first line of the first stanza "Talking in bed, ought to be the easiest" by writing this shows to the reader that their relationship is strained because they are struggling to communicate at the time where they should be the most relaxed, also from how the poem is set out, it would also show that they have been in a relationship for a long time and the fact that they have not been able to find anything to talk about may be because they have in fact ran out of things to say to one another
ReplyDelete'Talking in Bed' by Larkin reflects a darker side of love, as he perhaps does not feel this exciting and 'honest' love really exists, and is setting impossible expectations. Larkin seems to be merely tolerating his partner in the hope that this exciting love will eventually occur. 'Ought to be' relfects how reality does not meet these impossible expectations. Eliot's 'Dedication to my Wife' describes a much more romantic and loving relationship, perhaps because he has been with his partner in a short amount of time, whereas Larkin seems to have been in his relationship for a much longer time, suggesting the love that sparks in early relationships does not always last. Eliot uses sibilance on the line 'No sullen tropic sun shall wither', portraying a sweet tone, relfected upon their relationship. This contrasts with Larkin's repetitive and rhyming language, strongly highlighted in the last stanza, by finishing each sentence with 'find', 'kind' and 'unkind'. This could reflect the repetition of long relationships, showing they may become boring and unexciting. Therefore Larkin and Eliot's poems strongly contrast.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in 'Talking in Bed' Larkin is presenting a less romantic side of love, however I think that it is a more realistic representation of what happens to love over time . The poet doesn't seem to show much emotion throughout the poem by using lines such as 'Words at once true and kind,
DeleteOr not untrue and not unkind.' This could relfect the emotional state that he is in, in this relationship.
The poem 'A Dedication to My Wife' by T.S. Elliot appears to represent a lighter view of love as the author openly portrays his feelings for his wife with pride. By speaking of how they are 'breathing in unison' and have the 'same thoughts without need of speech', the intimacy of two people when together and in love is portrayed greatly. In contrast to this, the poem 'Talking in Bed' by Philip Larkin appears to show a darker representation of love, portraying a sense of awkwardness between the pair whose love for each other has changed over time, claiming that it becomes 'more difficult to find words at once true and unkind' to say to one another as their relationship progresses. However, T.S. Elliot's poem was written for and read at his wedding, which could suggest that the love portrayed in the poem which he felt for his partner was something new, whereas Larkin's poem appears to be written after he has been with his partner for a long period of time, and therefore could explain why the portrayal of love between two people in this poem seems darker and more awkward.
ReplyDeleteLike the idea that no explanation is needed between the two people in love as their unity is so profound.
ReplyDeleteThe last line from T.S Eliot's poem "A dedication to my wife" "These are private words addressed to you in public" shows how Eliot truly feels for his wife for the fact that he has these overwhelming emotions to her and in order for her to know how much he does care he has put his thoughts and feelings for his wife into one poem and summed it all up in that last line, however this last line can also be used to summarize the Phillip Larkin poem "talking in bed". the entirety of this poem is Larking talking about a possible strained relationship with his wife and he feels in order to get this across to her he puts his thoughts and feelings into this poem much like Eliot did
ReplyDeleteIn the poem ‘Talking in Bed’, Larkin conveys the sense of an overwhelming emptiness in a relationship which can be seen clearly through the awkward silences when they are lying in bed together. Lugubrious feelings are present as he uses dark imagery such as when he refers to how the 'dark towns heap up on the horizon' which could be seen as it drawing parallel to the sombre tone of the couple’s relationship and personifies the concept of falling out of love.
ReplyDeleteT.S. Eliot’s ‘A Dedication to My Wife’, shows the reader the use of a light tone which juxtaposes with the theme of the poem in which he details his wife and his’ relationship and how it is ‘ours and ours only’. The deep and meaningful tone of the poem appears to have strong existential connotations and symbolises the true importance of unconditional love to Eliot while he reminisces on intimate moments they have shared together, physically and emotionally.
Rose-
DeleteI agree with Dana when she mentions Larkin's sense of emptiness and a negative tone surrounding the couple's relationship and also feel he conveys this through his use of pathetic fallacy when he refers to 'the wind's incomplete unrest'. This could be showing how the couple no longer feel complete and their feelings/future is as uncertain as the weather, compared to Dedication to My Wife where it seems as though his wife gives him a sense of completeness.
'Dedication To My Wife' by T.S Elliot portrays his intimate feelings towards his wife through a rose tinted view “To whom I owe the leaping delight” as one could assert that the poet expresses his emotions with a flowing structure which reflects his continuous love for his wife. The tranquil atmosphere of true love is portrayed to the reader as there are connotations that they have nothing to hide, as he wants the public to view how precious their love is “These are private words addressed to you in public”.
ReplyDeleteIn direct contrast to this, one could suggest that the feelings of love portrayed in “Talking in Bed” by Philip Larkin have been replaced with bitter tones with the suggestion that the married couple have started to fall out of love with one another due to the length of time they’ve spent together, leaving an awkward atmosphere as expressing small comments to be the only way to communicate “an emblem of two people being honest”. This is followed with the use of an iambic pentameter as the harsh structure and beat resembles the harsh resort of lost communication.
In `Talking in bed` Larkin conveys the way in which the relationship which he and his wife hold may have deteriorated over time, which is shown in the way that the length of his stanzas deteriorate throughout the poem; not only this but the repetition of negative words such as "none", "nothing" and "difficult" may imply that the feelings which he once held toward his wife had negatively changed over time.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast to this in `Dedication To My Wife` Eliot portrays the ever growing love and affection which he feels toward his wife, his hyperbole statements throughout the poem also convey this "To whom I owe the leaping delight". Unlike Larkin, Eliot suggests that he and his wife have no problems communicating and making conversation, this is achieved by the use of the word "babble" which conveys to one that he and his wife speak of anything and everything, being in constant communication.
Eliot uses words such as 'leaping' and 'delight' to reflect his complete happiness. The verb 'leaping' is often associated with a 'leap of happiness', a movement that individuals often carry out when they are overwhelmed with joy.
Deletethe poem 'dedication to my wife' by T.S. Elliot conveys a sense of love that has only been around for a few years, or a little while; as a strong sense that Elliot is showing the loving aspects of the relationship. whereas within the poem 'talking in bed' by Larkin, Larkin is showing the relationship between the two people, but later on down the line. Which comparing both poems show how the relationships change overtime.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to this, it is clear that Eliot may feel as though his love will always last forever, as he describes their bond in an extremely ambitious way. However, Larkin does not seem at all enthusiastic about the lack of love, he just seems irritated that the love they once had has deteriorated.
DeleteThis ballad by John Keats explores a sense of unrequited, obsessive love by the narrator of the tale; through a clear sense of imagery, we learn that a man has fallen in love with a "beautiful" "Elfin" woman - whom he met whilst travelling - and became bewitched by her charms and comments. It's plausible that a reader could empathise with this poor knight as he shows signs of deep emotion to this "faery's child", through his exertion of effort to make her "garlands" and "bracelets". As we learn later in the ballad, Keats does not intend to show the early beginnings of a true love (although using an ironic setting which would imply spring-time, thus implying a sense of renewal and growth), as the imagery and tone begin to create a foreboding aspect. By receiving him dream, Keats could have been suggesting a darker intention to the woman's affection, which she may have felt for others prior - resulting in "pale kings and princes" attempting to save the knight before he too, receives the same fate as them. Moreover, this constitutes a paradox in the relationship between the two key figures; it could be perceived the woman was merely a seductress who wished to obtain a justification of her obsessive self-love from a man, while the knight truly adored the woman. For this explanation, it may be inferred that his "woe-begone" state - as recalling the story - is his mourning for the love he desired, yet knew he could never have.
ReplyDeleteLily Foreman:
ReplyDeleteThe poem 'Talking in bed' by Larkin focuses on a more relaxed and isolated feeling between the married couple, their relationship is expressed in private by the intimacy of lying in bed feeling close to one another. However, this could be a negative aspect to the fact they can only talk in the comfort of their own home as it could suggest that their relationship has faded over time as they have lost the 'spark'. In contrast to this, 'Dedication to my wife' written by Eliot, expresses love in a more public way, saying that love is formed by different stages, as the first stage is the infactuation stage where there is a 'leaping delight' of seeing one another. As this could suggest the skipping of the heart when being in each others company. But, as time progresses it could suggest that you do not feel that 'spark' no longer as the rhythm of the heart could be slowing down which keeps the relationship alive, as the euphoria has dissappeared.
Larkin's view of love could be said to be that a couple should feel comfortable around each other and by saying that 'more and more time passes silently' could be showing how the couple have become distant and more like strangers. Also by saying that it is 'more difficult to find' could be conveying the lack of love within their relationship now and how love can change over time and not always be what it once was; a maybe somewhat more realistic view compared to that expressed in Dedication to my Wife.
ReplyDeleteEliot's poem contains a far more upbeat and positive view on love. By saying that him and his wife were 'breathing in unison' could be showing how he feels that when in love two people act as one. He also mentions how their 'bodies smell of each other' which could be conveying how love can involve intimacy between two people and spending a large amount of time together. When writing of the metaphoric rose garden that is theirs, this could also be portraying how love is a mutual feeling; so not only is it given but also has to be received. Finally in the last line of ' these are private words addressed to you in public' this could be seen as an extreme display of public affection and showing his true appreciation for his wife.