UNIT 2.7 SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY BY LORD BYRON: AN ANALYSIS, SUMMARY, POETIC DEVICES AND ACTIVITIES.


She Walks in Beauty

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 mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

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,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
- Lord Byron



About the Poet:

Lord Byron is regarded as the greatest English poet ever who influenced the England and the world by his poems. Lord Byron was a British poet and satirist. He had captured the social-cultural mirror of England through his poems. His work, a satire on the legend Don Juan is widely known.



Theme of the Poem:

Women’s beauty with inner touch and the perfect combination of harmony of beauty is the major theme of the poem ‘She walks in Beauty’. She is perfect in her appearance and in her personality. The woman beauty comes from her thought and innocent mind. It explores the idea that physical appearance depends upon inner goodness. It indicates the woman’s glowing features, eloquence of her speech and purity of her love and appearance. Poet states that this particular woman’s beauty is practically unparalleled because of the exquisite harmony and visual balance of her look.



Summary of the poem:

1st Stanza:  
In first stanza poet has decorated the purity of the beauty of the woman with the night which is cloudless and full of stars. Clear night lit brightly by stars. It suggests that beauty of the lady is not only physical but it indicates the spiritual quality of the lady. She possesses the best of dark and bright which combines the eyes of lady. These features make her look tender. The finest light and darkness comes together in harmony in this woman’s appearance, particularly within her eyes. This super combination is heavenly. Even heaven also refuses such combination and to grant this supernatural light to the showy daytime.

2nd Stanza:
Lady is perfectly beautiful. Even addition of one shade or the decay of single ray can damage the beauty of lady. This beauty is hard to put into words. Black hair of lady is compared with the brightest color of the crow. The woman’s hair gently falls on her face. Her sweet and angelic emotions play out on her face revealing her pure and precious look. The sweetest emotions have consummate the right place ultimately on the face of beautiful lady.

3rd Stanza:
Poet is influenced by the beauty of lady. He is surrendered himself under the glowing and smiling face of lady. On the woman’s cheek and forehead soft and calm but noticeable winning smiles appear. Skin tone of the lady glows immensely. These features reveal that the woman spends her days virtuously. She possesses a peaceful mind and innocent, loving heart.



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