Studied by 2 people
“She Walks in Beauty”
Verb “walks” is in present tense suggest her beauty is permanent or continuous
“like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies”
The women has been comparted to a perfect night
Connotations of mystery and beauty suggesting Byron doesn’t know the women well
Unconventional comparison
“best of dark and bright”
The juxtaposition suggests that she is both things at once, and therefore better than them both
“that tender light”
A soft and beautiful light lies in her face and eyes
“Which Heaven to gaudy day denies”
“Gaudy” creates a critical tone
Byron criticising daytime for being too bright
Byron challenges conventions of love and literature
“One shade the more, one ray the less”
Use of antithesis highlights how delicately balanced the woman’s beauty is.
“nameless grace”
The adjective “nameless” suggests that the woman’s beauty is beyond words
“Which waves in every raven tress”
Verb “waves” suggests that the woman’s beauty is alive since it’s present tense
Also suggests that her dark hair is very beautiful through “raven tress”
“A heart whose love is innocent!”
The poem ends with a celebration of not the woman’s appearance, but her personality, morals, and virtues.
ABAB rhyme scheme
Iambic tetrameter
Consistent 6 line stanzas
The strong structure mirrors Byron’s confidence in his love for the women
Note
Flashcard