Literary Devices in “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron
Lord Byron used poetic devices to enhance the meaning of the poem. Here is an analysis of the literary devices in “She Walks in Beauty”.
Content Analysis of the Poem, She Walks in Beauty
Themes in “She Walks in Beauty”
Literary Devices in “She Walks in Beauty”
1. Simile
Example:
“She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright”
(Stanza 1 / Lines 1-3)
This directly compares the woman’s beauty to a clear, star-filled night. It shows the harmony between opposing elements – night (dark sky) and stars (a form of light). The ways these two co-exist to make a beautiful harmonious night sky express the depth of the idealized beauty of the woman.
2. Metaphor
Lord Byron used metaphor to express how profound the beauty of the woman he describes.
Example 1:
The woman’s beauty is compared to the Night Sky (Lines 1-2). This depicts clarity, lack of imperfection, serenity, and how radiant her beauty is.
Example 2:
“Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”
(Stanza 2 / Line 11-12)
The woman’s mind is described as the “dwelling-place” of her thoughts which are “serenely sweet”. This elevates the woman’s inner self portraying her as having a peaceful and clear mind. This state of her mind is also reflected in her beauty, making her more beautiful.
Example 3:
“Which waves in every raven tress,”
(Stanza 2 / Line 9)
“Raven tress” is used to describe the woman’s hair. It links the darkness of her hair to the beauty of a raven. It also suggests both mystery and elegance, opposing features that merge to create in-depth beauty.
Example 4:
“And all that is best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;”
(Stanza 2 / Line 3-4)
This suggests a harmony between light and darkness. How the two opposing elements fuse and blend to create incredible beauty. This expression is used to emphasize balance and perfection of the woman’s beauty.
3. Repetition
Lord Byron used repetition in “She Walks in Beauty” to enhance the musicality of the poem. It is said that the original intention of “She Walks in Beauty” was for a song and it was published in Hebrew Melodies.
Repetition in the poem also emphasizes some qualities of the woman and creates vivid imagery.
a. Alliteration
Example
“Of cloudless climes and starry skies;” (Stanza 1 / Line 2)
/c/ is repeated in “cloudless” and “climes” and /s/ is repeated in “starry” and “skies”.
b. Diacope
Diacope is a type of repetition where a word or phrase is repeated with one or more words in between, emphasizing a point or idea.
Example:
“Meet in her aspect and her eyes;”
(Stanza 1 / Line 4)
“Her” is repeated to emphasize the qualities of the woman.
c. Assonance
“Had half impaired the nameless grace” (Stanza 2 / Line 8)
/a/ is repeated in “had”, “half”, “nameless”, and “grace”.
Another example of this is the repetition of /e/ in the words in line 11, stanza 2.
“Where thoughts serenely sweet express,”
d. Consonance
An example of this is the repetition of /s/ in the words in line 11, stanza 2.
“Where thoughts serenely sweet express,”
e. Euphony
This is the use of soft pleasant sounds to create a melodious effect. An example is seen in line 14, stanza 3.
“So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,”
4. Juxtaposition
Contrasting images like “dark and light”, “shade and ray”, and “day and night” were used to emphasize the woman’s beauty and showcase the harmony that exists between the opposing elements/qualities.
5. Personification
Example 1:
In stanza 3, the woman’s cheek and brow were given human quality. The cheek and brow are said to be “calm” and “eloquent” (Lines 13-14).
Example 2:
Also, her smiles are said to “win” (Line 15).
Example 3:
“Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”
(Stanza 2 / Lines 11-12)
The thoughts of the woman here are assigned a dwelling place.
6. Sibilance
The frequent use of /s/ in the poem creates a soft, whispering quality that adds to the poem’s soothing tone.
Example:
“One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,”
(Stanza 2 / Lines 7-11)
7. Imagery
The contrast between day and night and bright and dark in stanza 1 was used to portray the balance in the woman’s features. In the physical sense, these may refer to her dark hair and light skin. Figuratively, they may refer to the goodness and mysterious aspects of her personality.
Whatever the case, both sides of her person contribute to her exceptional beauty as described in the poem.
Other examples of imagery in the poem include “starry sky”, “cloudless clime”, “cheek”, and “brow”.
8. Symbolism
Example 1:
Some Christian symbols of purity, supernatural power, and chastity were used in the poem.
Examples
i. Heaven
ii. Pure
iii. Innocence
iv. Serenely
v. Goodness
The use of these words to describe the object of the poem further elevates her position causing the reader to imagine the beauty that is heavenly like that of saints and angels. Also, these words portray the woman as having very strong moral values. This therefore makes her even more beautiful.
Example 2:
“One share the more, one ray the less, / Had half impaired the nameless grace (Line 13-14)
This represents balance and perfection. If just a stroke less or more is applied to the muse, the beauty will be impaired.
Example 3:
The use of words like “cloudless” depicts no flaws.
“She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies;” (Lines 1-2)
This shows that the woman described is flawless in appearance and character. No blemish or dirt can be found on her person. She simply is perfect and it is clear for all to see.
Conclusion
The use of literary devices in “She Walks in Beauty” enhances the musicality and romanticism of the poem.
Read also:
Content Analysis of the Poem, She Walks in Beauty
Themes in “She Walks in Beauty”