The Sick Rose

    Cards (10)

    • In "The Sick Rose," Blake explores themes such as death, decay, and corruption through the use of symbolism and metaphorical language.
    • Blake's poem uses vivid imagery to convey his message about the destructive power of love.
    • What is the summary of TSR?

      The rose is sick as an unseen worm has flown under the cover of a dark/stormy night. It found the roses deep red joy and the worms hidden love destroys the roses life
    • What are the themes in TSR?

      Death
      Destruction
      Innocence
      Sex/Desire
    • What is the form and structure of TSR?

      2 quatrains
      Allegory
      Anapestic diameter
      ABCB DEFE rhyme scheme
      Balad stanzas
    • Who is the speaker in TSR?
      Th speaker seems to be apart of the poem, who can see things that the personified rose cannot.
    • What is the setting in TSR?

      It takes place in a garden on a dark, destructive stormy night.
    • What is the context of TSR?

      Experience poems depict nature in a state of corruption- at the hands of humans.
      Blake- critic of Ind Rev
      Blake believed in equality for women.
    • ‘O Rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm,‘
      Direct address/ apostrophe- personifies the rose.
      Rose- symbolic of women/ femininity.
      End stopped in ‘Thou art sick!’ suggests corruption- connotes STDS/sex.
      Assonance intensifies the destruction.
    • ‘Has found out thy bed of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy.’ 

      Assonance- furthers the sex symbolism.
      Sex was shrouded by darkness during Blakes time
      Suggests a violation and opposing forces.
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