Tone Of The Poem example essay topic

Poetry is defined as the art of writing or speaking, in a rhythmical verse in order to express beautiful, imaginative thoughts. It aims to seek understanding, as it is the mark of human nature. Poems are expressed in a clear manner that directly indicates to the responder its main concerns in relation to the period of the poem. The following poems are selected as part of an analysis for this essay, "Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth" is written by Shakespeare (1564-1616) in the Elizabethan period and "When I have fears", written by John Keats (1795-1821) in the Romantic period.

The poem "Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth" is related specifically to the Elizabethan period. This poem introduces many of the themes that will define the passage of human life in time. It attempts to explain the nature of time as it passes and it acts on immortality. The use of dense writing is created throughout the whole poem as it is shaped by a variety of ideas expressed in more depth. It manipulates the audience to feel a certain way. This is created through the communication of techniques, language, use of lofty moral ideas: soul, eternity, death and a range of further aspects.

There is no use of lame ideas applied within the poem, thus the writing is based on delicate idealism. This poem is expressed formally, which conveys a sense of seriousness. It is mainly based on ideology, as human beings are depicted as na " ive and always looking towards the positive side of life. It displays a deeper emotional side to everyone's lives and displays truths that are known but not always stated.

This poem introduces many of the themes that will define the passage of human life in time and death, which is inevitable. For instance, "Why so large cost, ... is this thy body's end?" implies that it is useless spending a great deal on your image and appearance when everyone will eventually reach death and be consumed by worms. Rhyming couplets is used throughout the poem to provide emphasis and raise importance of the ideas expressed. It also binds the lines, thus providing structure. This is shown in the lines 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 5 and 7, 6 and 8, 9 and 11, 10 and 12, 13 and 14. The poem used the technique representation.

This is quoted in lines 3 to 7", Why dost thou pine within and suffer death, painting thy outward wall so costly gay... fading mansion spend?"Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth" is a representation of part of the cycle of human life. It is a construction because the meaning created is not what humans tend to recognize and believe, as they are ignorant and facing reality is not their first preference. John Keats, a poet of the Romantic age, writes the following poem "When I have fears". Poetry in this period is imaginative and fancy free, reflecting all that is spontaneous in man. This poem is specifically emotional as his expressions display a sense of fear, death in particular. He conveys a philosophical attitude towards life and death, with implications of his unpleasant experiences through life.

This probably caused his poems to be more meaningful and made him fear of the future. The tone of the poem can be classified as serious, sombre and mournful. The attitude is reflected throughout the poem. Readers will decide on the tone from past experience and contextual clues.

For instance, "before my death I do not see you and never experience love then when I do die, when I look at the shore of the world I leave alone I wonder if my fame and love I feel will never fall or disappear" is clearly recognized as relatively serious and sorrowful thoughts. Keats was emotional about leaving the world without people recognizing his work and afraid that that if he did not write poetry then he would not be able to go to his grave believing in himself. "When I have fears" is presented as a fairly subjective poem. Keats used "I" as a representation for his character and expressed his feelings and thoughts perspectively. In the first line, "When I think of death" and the effect of this is that it sounds personal. It gives the impression that the poet is talking to us directly and we are immediately invited to think of the persona.

In conclusion, both poems "Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth" and "When I have fears" reflects the main concerns of the period it was written in. Aspects of poetry in the Elizabethan period were the seriousness of purpose and lofty moral ideals. This corresponds to "Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth" as the tone and expressions in the poem are serious and sophisticated. Poetry in the Romantic age was based on human life with its sorrows, which is identical to the meaning communicated in "When I have fears.".