Valentine and she walks in beauty

• What are the main themes explored in Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Valentine" and Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty"?

  Both poems explore love and beauty, but with contrasting attitudes and stylistic choices.
• How does Byron's work resonate with romantic idealism?

  Byron's work reflects the pristine nature of beauty through romanticized language.
• What does Duffy challenge in her poem "Valentine"?

  Duffy challenges the conventions of romantic poetry by offering a complex exploration of love.
• How do Byron and Duffy differ in their portrayal of love and beauty?

  • Byron: Romantic idealism, pristine beauty
  • Duffy: Realistic, complex interpretation of love
• What is the opening line of Byron's poem "She Walks in Beauty"?

  "She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies."
• What literary device does Byron use to describe the woman in "She Walks in Beauty"?

  Byron uses a simile to compare her beauty to the night sky.
• What does the light imagery in Byron's poem emphasize?

  It emphasizes purity, innocence, and an idealized version of feminine beauty.
• How does the structure of Byron's poem contribute to its theme?

  The consistent rhyme scheme enhances the poem's lyrical qualities and beauty.
• What is the opening declaration of Duffy's poem "Valentine"?

  "Not a red rose or a satin heart."
• What unconventional metaphor does Duffy use in "Valentine"?

  Duffy uses an onion to symbolize the complexities of love.
• What does the onion symbolize in Duffy's "Valentine"?

  The onion symbolizes the multifaceted and sometimes painful aspects of relationships.
• How does Duffy's language in "Valentine" differ from Byron's in "She Walks in Beauty"?

  Duffy's language is intimate and confrontational, while Byron's is admiring and reverent.
• What theme does Byron focus on in "She Walks in Beauty"?

  Byron focuses on the allure of romantic love.
• How does Duffy's "Valentine" address the theme of emotional depth?

  Duffy acknowledges the discomfort that can accompany intimacy in love.
• How do the structures of Byron's and Duffy's poems reflect their themes?

  Byron uses rhymed couplets for elegance, while Duffy uses free verse for fluidity and complexity.
• What does the structure of Byron's poem enhance?

  It enhances the melodic quality and elegance of the poem.
• What does Duffy's use of free verse allow her to express?

  It allows her greater freedom of expression regarding love's complexities.
• What are the contrasting perspectives on love presented in Byron's and Duffy's poems?

  • Byron: Idealized, serene, transcendent love
  • Duffy: Raw, unfiltered, acknowledges love's imperfections
• What is the conclusion drawn about the two poems in the essay?

  Both poems engage with love and beauty but from markedly different angles.