Love’s Philosophy

• who wrote Love‘s Philosophy?

  Percy Bysshe Shelley (a romantic poet)
• What was his religion?

  He was a well known atheist living in a time when religion was very important.
• What was Percy like?

  He was outspoken as he was expelled from Oxford for his views. He didn’t except his inheritance and lived as a Pauper. He had scandalous relationships but did marry Mary Shelley and friends with Lord Byron.
• what does philosophy mean?

  to make sense of reality and meaning of life.
• what is romanticsm?

  an artists relationship with nature
• What is the rhyme scheme?

  constant structure with ABABCDCD scheme with masculine and feminine rhymes. With also half rhymes
• what does rhyme scheme show?

  It indicates a highly reflective and considered line of thought which supports the title of ‘philosophy’. Mix of masculine and feminine rhyme emphasises his philosophy that they should mix and mingle. Half rhyme reflects how all of nature is in harmony except for him and his lover.
• What does use of punctuation show?

  It shows in an almost child like way Shelley’s persistence in the quest for his love.
• Why is simple language used?


  It is typical of a romantic poet. It echoes simplicity and purity Shelley is indicating at with is passionate intentions and desires.
• analyse: ‘The fountains mingle with the river/And the rivers with the Ocean’


  Imagery of flowing water shows everything is connected naturally and with ease. ‘Mingle’ is a lighthearted word and physical action. The increasing scale of water as the water forms larger bodies. hints that loving something is of great significance and makes you part of something bigger.
• analyse: ‘The winds of Heaven mix for ever/With a sweet emotion’


  ’river’ and ‘ever’ are half rhymes which reflects how the couple aren’t fully united. Personification suggests nature benefits from this union as also seen by the positive adjective ‘sweet’.
• analyse: ‘Nothing is the world is single/All things by a law divine’


  Sums up narrators argument. Contrast of ‘nothing’ and ‘all’ emphasises connectivity of nature. He uses Gods law to persuade her as she is religious, arguing that it Gods plan for them to be together.
• analyse: ‘…mingle-/Why not I with thine?’


  Repetition of ‘mingle’ emphasises that everything in nature is united. Dash creates pause to emphasise the rhetorical question which is directly addressing her as he questions why they’re not together.
• analyse: ‘See the mountains kiss high Heaven/And the waves clasp one another;’


  Use of physical language of ‘kiss’ and ‘clasp’ hints at frustration that he cant do it to her.
• analyse: ‘No sister-flower would be forgiven/If it disdain’d its brother:’


  Claims his loved ones lack of love goes against Gods law and so therefore is unforgivable. Use of ‘disdain’d’ hints woman being addressed rejected narrator.
• analyse: ‘And the sunlight clasps the earth,/ And the moonbeams kiss the sea-‘


  Repetition of ‘And ‘ highlights how many examples there are of unity in nature. Mirrored repetition of ‘kiss’ and ‘clasp’ reflects narrators belief that humans mirror nature. Sibilance adds to soft, breathless atmosphere emphasising speakers desire to be affectionate with the woman. Even the sun and moon, not just nature on earth emphasise connection.
• analyse: ‘what are all these kissings worth,/If thou kiss not me?’


  Narrator concludes that what is the point of the world if his lover doesn’t love him suggesting love gives life meaning. He doesn’t see why all things in nature are in pairs and together when him and his lover aren’t. Also hyperbole as he might be deliberately exaggerating to persuade her.
• What is use of rhetorical question at end of both stanzas?

  Both stanzas lines are confident assertions contrasting rhetorical question. Final line of each stanza are monosyllabic and only has 5 syllables, increasing impact of question and makes them stand out. The lines are separated from rest of lines just as narrator is separated from his lover.
• What poem is best to compare?

  Sonnet 29