When We Two Parted - Lord Byron

Analysis of Stanza 1

• When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted, To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this.
• we two > addresses his former lover directly, makes the poem feel more personal > contrasts with use of 'They' in stanza 3 - hints at a bond between the narrator and his lover which keeps them separate from others silence > could mean that they had nothing to say to each other any more, but it also hints that their relationship was secret Half broken-hearted > could suggest they weren't properly in love with each other, clear the narrator was deeply affected by their parting, perhaps he's accusing his lover of only being half in love with him, could also be referring to himself as ''Half'' of the couple, meaning he's broken-hearted and his former lover isn't sever > violent imagery suggests the parting was painful and traumatic for the narrator pale and cold > narrator describes his lover like a corpse, suggests her feelings for him have died cheek, Colder and kiss > Repetition of harsh 'k' sound emphasises coldness that hour foretold Sorrow to this. > Enjambment emphasises the link between past and present - this shows how his sorrow is ongoing

Analysis of Stanza 2

• The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow - It felt like the warning Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken And share in its shame.
• chill >