When We Two Parted

• When We Two Parted written by Lord Byron.
• Lord Byron has a controversial love life as this poem is thought to be written about one of his public affairs.
• When We Two parted has a cyclic structure which can imply the speakers sadness is repetitive and ongoing. Begins with “silence and tears” and ends with him discussing how he shall “rue thee, // Too deeply to tell”
• The poem has a accentual verse. There are two stresses per line throughout the poem such as:

  “When we two parted

  In silence and tears

  Half broken-hearted

  To sever for years.”
• The repetitive rhythm of the poem demonstrates the regularity of the speakers sadness. Byron uses a ABABCDCD rhyme scheme.