Exploration of the Poet's Attitude to Love In Two Poems

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Exploration of the Poet's Attitude to Love In Two Poems

I am going to explore the many similarity's and differences between

the two poems 'imitations' by Dannie Abse and 'from long distance' by

Tony Harrison.

In 'First love' the structure and form is similar to 'A red, red

rose,' this is due to the rhyme. Each poem contains cross rhyme but

use it in two different patterns. 'First love' contains a much more

flowing sound, every line rhymes with another, this different to the

more simple sound of 'A red, red rose.' In 'A red, red rose.' the 2nd

and the 4th lines rhyme adding rhythm and creating a different and

much tailored sound. Not only does each poem contain cross rhyme but

both have only quatrains. Neither poem contains a couplet, this again

shows the simplicity of each writer. The form of each poem is the same

they are both story-like love poems - ballad, each about people poets.

Each poet tries to create atmosphere in different ways, in 'First

love' the author gives us the impression that we are outside. He does

this by using sentences such as 'the trees and bushes around the

place' he then tells us the effect that love causes, 'seemed midnight

at noonday' the author does this throughout the poem; 'stole my heart

away complete,' and 'then blood rushed to my face and took my sight

quite away.' However in 'A red, red rose' this is different, the three

lines; 'till a' the seas gang dry,' 'the rocks melt wi' the sun' and

'sands o'life shall run.' Give us the impression that Burns' love is

everlasting. The images of rocks melting, seas drying out and sands

running add to Burns' romantic side. Each sentence is a metaphor and

untrue however create a beautiful image of love and the real meaning.

He also tells the reader that he is 'deep in love' when in fact he

cannot be deep! This is an example of the use of another metaphor.

If Burns were not to use these, the poem would be far less romantic

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