“La Belle Dame Sans Merci” and “Bredon Hill” Essay Example

encounter with a lovely lady in the meadows. Described as having long hair, a talent for dancing, and "wild eyes," she left an impression on the knight.

The knight's actions in verse 5 indicate his strong feelings for the woman and her response during their lovemaking is unusual. In verse 6, a phallic symbol is used to describe their intercourse as he mentions riding all day with her on his horse.

These verses imply an air of peculiarity surrounding the woman who sang a faery's song, which is also an euphemism. It remains a mystery how she acquired knowledge of such a song. Additionally, in verse 7, she presents the knight with unusual nourishment options like wild honey and manna dew.

As the poem progresses, suspicions arise that the woman created a sleeping potion. In a strange language, she professes her love for the knight, leaving him feeling unsure. These strange feelings continue as she leads him to her home in an elfin grot. The abnormality of her living situation raises even more doubt about her motives. She weeps, potentially regretting whatever action she has taken, as the knight kisses her eyes shut.

The text describes the speaker's actions of closing the eyes of his partner with kisses, emphasizing their wildness and peculiar nature once again. In the 9th verse, the speaker falls asleep, potentially due to the effects of a sleeping potion. In his dream, he imagines being on a chilly hillside and encounters various figures such as kings, princes, and warriors.

All of them appeared deathly pale, indicating their illness. According to them, the woman had deceived the knight into sleeping with her. The appearance of

the people in the knight's dream is further described in verse 9, where their starved lips are seen in the dark with a frightening warning expression on their gaping mouths. The knight could discern from their appearance that they were warning him.

Upon regaining consciousness, the protagonist discovers that he is situated on a hillside, with the concluding verse being the tenth. He articulates that his isolated position is due to this specific aspect, where the absence of bird song is notable. Although this poem is primarily centered on love, melancholic themes permeate throughout.

This piece of writing explores how love affects both the physical and emotional aspects of life by analyzing Alfred Edward Housman's poem, Bredon Hill. The poem initially appears to be a positive portrayal of love, but upon closer examination, it reveals deeper and more complex emotions. The opening verse sets the scene in summertime and in present tense.

The text conveys a sense of happiness as the speaker mentions the pleasing sound of bells that can be heard. Through the second verse, expressed in the past tense, the speaker reflects on a Sunday morning and the joyful feeling evoked by looking at the "coloured counties," resulting in a happy tone emphasized by the use of alliteration.

The third stanza once again references the belle, which is a symbol of joy. The preceding stanzas have all been cheerful. "The bells ring to call her" implies that he ought not attend church since the bells are calling out to "her" rather than to him. However, his beloved decides to stay with him instead of going to church. The fourth stanza indicates that he

will eventually attend church.

By employing the phrase "springtime Thyme," the author maintains a cheerful atmosphere in the poem. Moreover, the author discloses his plan to attend church for his wedding and promises promptness upon hearing the bells. However, the introduction of the word "but" in the fifth verse typically signals a shift in tone for a poem.

The term "snow" is utilized as a representation of demise. Through the use of euphemism, the author indicates that his or her beloved has passed away. The phrase "My love rose up so early and stole out unbeknown and went to church alone" suggests a more genteel means of indicating that the individual has passed away. It is worth noting that all previous verses have been written in the past tense, and this remains true in the sixth verse.

The author is present at the church, not as a groom, but as a mourner for his wife's passing, with only a single bell tolling. The poem transitions to present tense in its seventh verse when the writer hears the beckoning of the bells summoning the faithful to worship. Despite his initial reluctance, the writer ultimately acquiesces and declares his intent to attend by stating: "Oh noisy bells be dumb, I hear you, and I will come."

It is possible that he may also travel to the church, similar to his lover's journey, indicating a potential desire to end his life due to overwhelming heartbreak. Upon reviewing both poems, it is evident that they depict different aspects of the consequences of falling in love. La belle dame sans merci highlights the physical implications, such as contracting an STI from a promiscuous

woman. On the other hand, Bredon Hill explores the emotional consequences of becoming too attached to someone you deeply love, resulting in a broken heart.