when we two parted

• Rhyme scheme: ABAB

  • Shows separation between the two lovers
• Extended metaphor of death through the poem.
• "Half broken-hearted, to sever for years"
• "Half broken-hearted, to sever for years"


  Violent & forceful imagery showing how sudden and intense the end of their love was.
• When we two parted is about unrequited love between Lord Byron & the woman he was having an affair with.
• "Pale grew thy cheek and cold, colder thy kiss"
• "Pale grew thy cheek and cold, colder thy kiss"


  Usage of the extended metaphor of death. Shows how her distance from him felt like her slow death.
• "A knell in mine ear"
• "In silence and tears"


  Repeated twice at the start & end of the poem, creating a cyclical structure and showing how his sadness will last forever
• "After long years, how should I greet thee? - With silence and tears."
• "I hear thy name spoken, and share in its shame."
• "I hear thy name spoken, and share in its shame."


  Uses sibilance to indicate that he must keep quiet about their relationship since it was an affair. Feels that his pain must be hidden.
• Neat verses show how he attempts to appear normal on the outside, yet is struggling with the loss of his relationship.
• Comparable with:

  • Neutral tones
  • Winter swans