Similarities and Differences in the Two Poems, Cousin Kate and The Seduction

The two narrative poems, ‘Cousin Kate’ and ‘The Seduction’ have a number of similarities between them, such as the poems are both based on love and the misuse of women. However, the two poems are also very different in some ways. For instance, the reactions to love vary in the poems.

‘Cousin Kate’ was set in the 1860’s and ‘The Seduction’ was set in the 1970’s, therefore, the poems are set one hundred years apart from each other. It is due to this that they have many differences between them. The difference in time contributes to the language that the poems have been written in. The two poems are also set in different areas. ‘Cousin Kate is set in the rural countryside, and ‘The Seduction’ is set in an urban area. An example of a difference is the way their emotions and views on love are presented. For the reason that the poems are set in different centuries, people thought of love differently, they did have the same morals or reactions to the pregnancies.

‘Cousin Kate’ was written by a female poet called Christina Rossetti. The poem is divided into six stanzas. It consists of an abcb rhyming scheme. For instance, the poet has rhymed ‘air and fair’. The rhyming of the words allows the poem to be read fluently and in a rhythmic pattern. The poem could be sing-songed to seem more interesting to listen to.

This poem consists of three main characters – the Cottage Maiden, Cousin Kate and the Great Lord. The three characters have three very diverse personalities in the poem. The poem is written in the first person, from the Cottage Maiden’s point of view, therefore, she is describing her feelings throughout the poem. On the other hand, you can only observe Cousin Kate and the Great Lord through the Cottage Maiden’s eyes and conseq...

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...to live.

Ultimately, as well as having their differences, the poems are very alike. They both have the same moods throughout the poem – anger, sadness and betrayal. The themes are also comparable – betrayal, respect, pain and love. However, they are different because of the way the poems have been written. ‘The Seduction’ is more like a story, going through the different stages in her life. Whereas, ‘Cousin Kate’ could be seen like a diary, the Cottage Maiden is talking about her feelings and emotions about different aspects of her life. I think that both of the poems succeed in what the poet set out to do. In ‘Cousin Kate’ I experienced the emotions the Cottage Maiden encountered. In ‘The Seduction’ I saw how inconsequential the girl’s life was to the boy. She was not ready to be a woman, but she had no choice. I felt the loneliness and betrayal she experienced.