In Matthew Arnolds' poem, "Dover Beach," what does the speaker have in common with Sophocles?
To determine what the speaker in Matthew Arnold's poem "Dover Beach" has in common with Sophocles, we will need to analyze the poem and the works of Sophocles.
Firstly, let's discuss the poem itself. "Dover Beach" is a lyric poem written by Matthew Arnold in 1867. The poem expresses the speaker's concerns about the spiritual and moral decline of the world. It explores themes such as the loss of faith, the fragility of human existence, and the contrast between appearance and reality.
Now, let's examine the connection between the speaker in "Dover Beach" and Sophocles. Sophocles was an ancient Greek playwright, known for his tragedies, particularly the Theban plays. His works often dealt with existential and moral dilemmas faced by individuals and communities.
The common ground between the speaker in "Dover Beach" and Sophocles lies in their shared focus on existential and moral concerns. Both explore the complex nature of human existence, addressing the uncertainties, doubts, and disillusionments associated with life.
In "Dover Beach," the speaker reflects on the decline of faith and the loss of moral certainty in the world, grappling with the despair that comes from confronting the absence of absolute truths. Similarly, Sophocles's plays often involve characters faced with challenging ethical decisions and the consequences of their actions.
Thus, the speaker in "Dover Beach" shares with Sophocles a preoccupation with the existential and moral complexities of human existence, albeit in different artistic forms.