Using a selection of pre-twentieth century verse, compare and contrast the ways in which different poets approach the themes of love and loss.

... Task: Using a selection of pre-twentieth century verse, compare and contrast the ways in which different poets approach the themes of love and loss. "When We Two Parted" written by Lord Byron, "Remember" written by Christina Rossetti and "My Last Duchess" written by Robert Browning are three pre-twentieth century poems about the ups and downs of love. "When We Two Parted" is a poem about Lord Byron's own secret relationship that failed secretly and tragically when he called it off, yet he feels heartbroken when she finds someone else, breaking their promise to wait for each other. "Remember" also describes how the plans of lovers can go wrong. Rossetti tries to prepare her lover for her impending death. She asks only that he "remembers" her. Likewise, "My Last Duchess" includes the theme of death, as a paranoid Duke tells the story of how and why he killed his wife. While

want to read more? →