Introduction
Metaphor plays a crucial role in poetry in conveying a poem’s underlying themes and emotions. Tone is another essential aspect of poetry employed to pass information and meaning to its audience. This analysis focuses on the metaphor in the poem “Divorce,” the tone of the poem “Dover Beach,” and the advice to the Duchess from the monologue “My Last Duchess.”
“Divorce”
In “Divorce,” the poet utilizes the image of a house falling apart to represent the breakdown of a marriage. This metaphor is powerful because it gives the reader a concrete example of the deterioration of the relationship’s emotional foundation. With lines like “Why did you let me go so completely” (Raab), the author depicts the gradual decline that characterizes a marriage on the verge of collapse. The audience can relate to the metaphor because they have probably witnessed a relationship slowly deteriorate.
“Dover Beach”
The melancholy and reflective tone of “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold challenges readers to consider their loss of confidence in society. The lines “The Sea of Faith / Was once, too, at the full” show the speaker’s melancholic and pessimistic tone, which alludes to a yearning for a period when faith was abounding (Arnold). Despite the author’s polite and measured manner, it becomes clear to the listener that Arnold has lost faith in people and is not ready for societal changes, remaining tied to the past.
“My Last Duchess”
In “My Last Duchess,” by Robert Browning, the Duke’s monologue provides insightful details about his controlling behavior. The future Duchess should be wary of her behavior and aware of the Duke’s controlling attitude after hearing his possessive words, such as “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together” (Browning). The Duke speaks of the inappropriate behavior of his wife, who equally accepted gifts and attention from him and other men. Therefore, the new Duchess must be prepared to renounce everything in favor of the Duke and carefully consider her decision to marry him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Divorce” and “Dover Beach” use metaphors to portray their respective poems’ feelings and subjects effectively. At the same time, the Duke’s monologue in “My Last Duchess” describes his controlling and possessive behaviors. These components enhance the reading experience, help the reader relate to the poetry, and delve deeper into its meanings. By comprehending and appreciating these elements, one can better appreciate the value of poetry and the feelings it arouses.
Works Cited
Arnold, Matthew. “Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold | Poetry Foundation.” Poetry Foundation, Web.
Browning, Robert. “‘My Last Duchess’ (Dramatic Monologue).” Poetry Foundation, Web.
Raab, Zara. “The Divorce.” Loving for Keeps, Web.