This document provides an analysis of the poem "When We Two Parted" by Lord Byron. It examines the poetic devices used and their effects, including the dramatic monologue form, alliteration, rhyme, and imagery. The analysis pays particular attention to how these devices create a sense of gloom, pain, isolation, and betrayal in the narrator as he reflects on the end of a secret love affair. Context is also provided on Byron's life and the possible inspiration for the poem in his own love affair with a married woman.

1. PLASTICPoetryNotes – GCSE EnglishLiterature PastandPresent:PoetryAnthology –Love andRelationships –WhenWe Two PartedP.6
Poetic devices and their
effects – form (ballad,sonnet,free
verse, dramatic monologue),
alliteration, rhyme, rhythm,
onomatopoeia,
Alternate rhymes –coldand foretold There isan ominousandforebodingfeel –sense of impending
gloomfortheirrelationship –alsothe general alternate rhyme
structure couldshowhowtheyare nowseparate andwill never
be together
Dramatic monologue We see hisverypersonal take on theirrelationshipandhis
growingangerand grief
Alliterationof cheek andcold,colder The repetitionof the consonantcis cuttingand harshsuggesting
theiremotional distance
Language and its effects –
what sortof words are in the poem?
Violent, loving, colloquial,archaic,
semantic fields,diction,religious,
romantic language
Verb- sunk Sense of depression and this is juxtaposed to the notion of morning –
should be a time of renewal and energy – instead itis a time of low
emotion
Adjective - broken Thissuggestsa severe break,whichcanneverbe fixedor
reunited.Italsosuggestsabetrayal of sorts.
Verb- Shudder The physical painthat comesfromhisemotional torment –she
still hasthe powerto hurt him – he isalsoportrayedas weak
here.
Alternative interpretations
– Can quotations be read in two ways
for different meanings?
‘Thyvowswere all broken’ A marriage vow has beenbroken bythe affair but alsomaybe a promise
betweenthe lovers has beenbroken. Perhaps a ‘vow’ of silence to keeptheir
affair secret.
‘the dewof the morning’ Couldsymbolisethe man’stearsorit couldsymbolise acold
sweatof the fearof suffering

2. PLASTICPoetryNotes – GCSE EnglishLiterature PastandPresent:PoetryAnthology –Love andRelationships –WhenWe Two PartedP.6
Structure and its effects –
tonal shifts,pace, caesura,what
rhyme stresses,beginning, middle,
end, repetition,dialogue and where it
happens,enjambment
Contrastof ‘insecretwe met,insilence Igrieve’ Showsthe hushed,hurriedclandestine affairincontrastto his
pitiful presentnowalone withouther– he cannot share what
happened.
Caesuraof ‘long,long’ Introducesa pause tostresshowinfinite hispainfeelsandthe
time he will spendwallowinginregret.
Repetitionof silenceandtears
At the start, bothwere sadand disconsolate –butnow afterall
these years,if the speakerwere tomeetagain,itwouldbe he
alone still grievinginthe same way – it suggestshe cannotget
overher.
Tone and its effects – talking
aboutmoods which are evoked and
where,narrative voice
Deathly tone evokedthroughwordslike‘sever’,‘pale,
‘cold,‘chill’,‘knell’
Suggeststhere isnolife nowforthe man – a sense of emotional
distance anda man trappedand constantlyhauntedbygloom
‘thyheart couldforget’ Tone of isolationandbetrayal fromthe manthat hislovercould
move on.
‘Whywert thouso dear?’ Tone of angerand disbelief athimself thathe couldhave ever
love her.
Imagery and its effects -
metaphor,simile,personification,
visual sense
‘A knell inmine ear’ Soundimagery/metaphorwhichimpliesabell beingrung – the
bell couldrepresentasense of loudnessandinescapabilityfrom
hermemory.
‘half broken-hearted–imagery Sense of beingdestroyedandthathe can neveragainbe whole
‘colderthykiss Sense imagerywhichshowsshe hasmovedonfromhim –
uncaringand harsh
Context – authorial,social and
historical
Lord Byron (1788-1824) was an English poetand one of the
mostfamous members ofthe Romantic movement.
This poem is said to be abouthis love affair with Lady Frances
Webster.Not only was she a married woman,butshe was also
the wife of one of his friends.Later,after their affair ended,
Byron learned ofLady Frances’ new affair with the Duke of
Wellington.
Veiledreferencestovows –had to keephername secretandonly
allude towhathappened.Deliberatelyvague andcouldrelate to
mostrelationships.She couldactuallyreaditandknowwithout
everbeingpublicly accused. Wayof attackingher?