Comparison and Contrast within the Context of Romanticism within the Four Selected Poems - Essay Example

Comparison and Contrast within the Context of Romanticism within the Four Selected Poems When analyzing a particular period of literature, one can readily note that key similarities and divergences exist even within a particular genre. Within such a context of understanding, this particular analysis will compare and contrast four of the poems which have been studied thus far this semester: “Ode to Melancholy” by John Keats, “She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways” by William Wordsworth, “To the Evening Star” by William Blake, and “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron. For purposes of this analysis, the poems by Keats and Wordsworth will be analyzed under the rubric of poems that approach emotions by otherwise dark and/or mysterious means. In this way, Keats makes an “Ode to Melancholy” as a praiseworthy and thoughtful rendition of how sorrow and sadness integrate within the realm of human emotions. Conversely, Byron and Blake both have a brighter perspective they discuss within the confines of the very same subject matter and theme. By means of comparison and contrast of these four different poems, this analysis will seek to provide a level of discussion and contrast between how the respective authors deal with similar topics and take widely different views concerning the outlook that these emotions portend. Within the opening lines to “Ode to Melancholy”, Keats identifies sadness and the necessary suffering and sorrow that is accompanied with it. However, rather than seeking to paint a brighter picture of hope for the future or an explanation of how suffering and sadness are merely temporal and fleeting, the author instead chooses to focus upon the understanding and acceptance of suffering and sadness. Although such an approach can be understood as fundamental concepts of Eastern traditions, it was somewhat out of place for Keats own time. Imploring the reader to integrate with the full depth of sorrow and sadness, not to take the easy way out, to drink the poison without hesitation, Keats presents a very dark representation of the means whereby the individual should accept the constraints of sadness and sorrow/melancholy, and seek to come to a more full and complete appreciation for how these emotions can define the approach and life of the sufferer. In a similar way, William Wordsworth’s poem, “She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways”, discusses the sorrowful topic of the death of a woman all but unloved by anyone besides the author. Again, rather than dwelling on the brighter topics of redemption and the hope of an afterlife, a common theme within the period in question, Wordsworth instead focuses on the level of derision, ridicule, and ostracism that the woman faced as a function of her particularly dark and morose outlook on life. By using terminology such as “none to praise”/”very few to love” describes the level of ridicule that the woman’s worldview has gifted her with (Wordsworth 1). Although the approach that she utilizes as a means of defining life is unpopular within her own community and times, Wordsworth holds this up as an example of a exemplary example of a life well understood and well lived. Within both of these poems, although the subject matter is essentially the same as well as the ultimate approach that the authors take to this, the means by which this is accomplished and the utilization of both active and passive tone helps to solidify the perspectives the authors attempt to aquaint the readers with. For instance, the utilization of the active tone within “Ode to Melancholy” is useful due to the fact that the active tone is used as a mechanism to acquaint the reader with the immediacy of action and understanding that should be engaged with as a means to effect a paradigm shift in understanding the nature of melancholy and sorrow. Similarly, on the topic of death and the ultimate conclusion of one’s way of life and worldview, the passive tone is helpful to evoke the externalities of the grave and the means whereby the death of the woman signifies that her own worldview, though unpopular within her own time was nonetheless laudable and worthy of consideration if not emulation (Keats 1). Similarly, the use of direct emotions in “Ode to Melancholy” helps the reader to seek to provide a level of understanding with regards to what types of situations that such an approach would be an effective means to handle life’s many problems and sadness. In the same vein, the utilization of simile within “She Dwelt in Untrodden Ways” helps the reader to identify directly with the plight and worldview of the woman in broader terms as a means to seeking to apply her own interpretation of the world to the reality of life as it exists to the observer. Conversely, Lord Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty” presents the reader with a much different approach to life and the meaning of seeking the brighter perspectives that are exemplified therein. By means of describing the woman of the poem in continually contrasting means of black and white and light and dark, the author is able to present an image of someone who is able to withstand the dark and otherwise oppressive environment that envelopes her and yet, through it all, maintain the sweet gentle innocence of fair womanhood (Byron 1). Though the description of a woman alone in the world seemingly out of place and misunderstood bears stark similarities to the poem, “She Dwelt in Untrodden Ways”, the way that Lucy is cast and described in “She Dwelt among Untrodden Ways” exemplifies the way that goodness and virtue can stand out in an otherwise bleak environment and ultimately provide victory over the given circumstance. Finally, Blake’s “To the Evening Star” similarly evokes the image of how the opposition to evil and sadness can overcome the most abysmal of circumstances (Blake 1). In this way, the star itself provides the symbolism for how even in the darkest of situations, the optimism and point of view of hope and light can provide a way to survive even the most abysmal of situations. In the same way, the closeness of love and sexual relations are viewed as a further means to challenge the darkness and despair that might exist within the constraints of life. In this way, utilizing the emotions of sexual connection and love to conquer melancholy and hopelessness was a point of view and emotional means of explanation that had hitherto not been discussed at any real length within the other poems of the romantic era. This physical approach is unique due to the fact that the previous poems, both those that dealt with the darker and more melancholy understandings of life as well as Byron’s poem both sought to evoke a level of spiritual/emotional appreciation and/or understanding of pain and sorrow. Whereas Byron’s poem follows the same rubric and level of analysis of the subject matter that the aforementioned darker poems sought to relate, Blake’s poem makes a decided break from this level of interpretation and provides a much more carnal and erotic point of view. In conclusion, the differential between the “darker” poems and the more emotionally bright poems that have herein been discussed relate not only to the language that is used by the level to which a baseline understanding of sorrow and melancholy must be understood. Whereas Keats and Wordsworth seek to impress the reader with the fact that sorrow and melancholy are not only necessary components of life but also opportunities to acquaint oneself better with the realities of life, Byron and Blake’s poems point to the ways in which victory over sorrow and sadness can be realized by taking an alternative view of life and the situations that define it. Works Cited Blake, William. "To the Evening Star - William Blake (1757-1827) British writer." Books & Literature Classics. N.p., 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. . Byron, Lord. "Poetry Database." Byron. N.p., 2 Mar. 2009. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. . Keats, John. "Ode on Melancholy." Poetry Foundation. N.p., 15 Jan. 2011. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. . Wordsworth, William. "Wordsworth, William. 1888. Complete Poetical Works." Bartleby. N.p., 11 Jan. 2010. Web. 2 Feb. 2013. . Read More