A common motif in the poetry of this unit is death. How do the various poets address the element of death? How is death used as a motif? Use examples from at least two of the poems studied to show how death is expressed as a motif throughout these pieces of literature. Use the following list to recall the poems studied in this unit. Use paragraph form.
1. "THE LADY OF SHALOTT" - TENNYSON
2. "ULYSSES" - TENNYSON
3. "IN MEMORIAM, A.H.H." - TENNYSON
4. "CROSSING THE BAR" - TENNYSON
5. "MY LAST DUCHESS" - BROWNING
6. "SONNET 43" BROWNING
7. "SPRING AND FALL" - HOPKINS
8. "DOVER BEACH" - ARNOLD
9. "AH, ARE YOU DIGGING ON MY GRAVE?" - HARDY
Death is a prevalent motif in the poetry of this unit, with various poets addressing the element of death in different ways. In Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott," death is portrayed as a tragic consequence of breaking a curse, as the Lady dies after looking directly at Sir Lancelot. This act of defiance against fate ultimately leads to her demise, highlighting the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Similarly, in Tennyson's "Ulysses," death is viewed as a natural part of life, with the titular character expressing his desire to continue facing new challenges and adventures until his eventual death. Ulysses embraces death as the final stage of his life journey, refusing to be content with mere existence.
In Browning's "My Last Duchess," death is subtly woven into the narrative as the Duke hints at the fate of his previous wife, whose portrait hangs on the wall. The Duke's possessiveness and control over his wife ultimately led to her death, revealing the darker undertones of power and mortality in the poem. On the other hand, in Browning's "Sonnet 43," death is portrayed as an obstacle that cannot diminish the speaker's love for their beloved. The speaker's love transcends death, symbolizing eternal affection and devotion that persists even in the face of mortality.
Through these examples, it is evident that death is used as a motif to explore themes of mortality, love, power, and fate in the poetry of this unit. Each poet approaches the element of death in a unique way, showcasing the complexity and depth of this universal human experience.