George Gordon (Lord Byron)

"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies."


I. Essential Questions

• How does the composition (literary elements) support the meaning (content and theme)? 

II. Background

Take Some Notes on Gordon from Encyclopedia.com and Poets' Graves:

• Years
• Troubles
• Death 

For more on Byron: Poetry Foundation 

III. Terms

• Bryonic Hero
• Review caesura (and its antithesis, emjambment) 

IV. Reading

• "The Destruction of Sennacherib"
•  "She Walks in Beauty"

V. Journal: George Gordon  

"The Destruction of Sennacherib"

• 1. Describe the rhythm (in your own words; one to two sentences).  Now, which of the following is the dominant type of foot?  How does this rhythm support the content of the poem?

 

•   2.  Identify, describe, and explain two key stylistic elements that support the poem's message (besides the rhythm above).

"She Walks in Beauty"

•  3.  Change one line of the poem by substituting a synonym or related word for the word in the poem.  Explain how the meaning of the poems is tarnished by your substitution.