2.7 She Walkes in Beauty

2.7 She Walkes in Beauty

ICE BREAKERS:
 While judging any person you would consider certain aspects. Complete the diagram after carefully thinking what aspects you would consider.
Ans: 

 Make a list of proverbs and quotations related to ‘Beauty’.
(a) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
(b) Beauty is only skin deep.
(c) Beauty is as beauty does.
(d) There is beauty in simplicity.
(e) Beauty is not in the face, it is a light in the heart.

 Discuss your impressions about someone's personality, and say what you like the most and why.
Ans:   The personality that captures the attention of all who meet her is Ms Murti.

(a) SIMPLICITY AND WARMTH : She is a brilliant engineer, extremely wealthy yet is simple, and so cheerful and warm in her interaction with anyone she meet

(b) HUMBLENESS: In spite her achievements, wealth and position she never mentions them, rather praises the efforts and achievements of other.

(c) ELEGANCE : She is graceful and elegant and yet is never dressed expensively.

(d) MOTIVATIONAL: She addresses young people and students in a way that is always encouraging and uplifting.

(e) GENEROUS She is generous in giving those who are disadvantaged. She donates for the emancipation of women for making them economically independent.

BRAINSTORMING:
(A1) (i) ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ - you have probably heard this saying. Discuss in your class how far the statement is true.
Ans: I think that the statement Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder' is true. It means that beauty doesn't exist on its own but is created by observer. For some people beauty can be something that you see, but for other people beauty can be something what they feel. Beauty is not just a fair look of a person, but it lies in her inner goodness.

(ii) Discuss with your partner about the most inspirational person you have come across. Also explain the reasons behind your opinion.
Ans: Dr. APJ Kalam, the missile-man of India is the most inspirational person for me. I salute him for his struggle and his efforts to overcome the hardships in his life. His thoughts are always encouraging for several people not only in India but also all over the world. Don't take rest after your first victory because if you fail, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just by luck'. Fail means First Attempt to Learn These thoughts always inspired me.

(A2) (i) After reading the poem match column A with 
             column B.
Ans:

(ii) The lady in the poem has a winning smile and a glowing skin. According to the poet she is blessed with these things because ....
Ans: The lady in the poem has a winning smile and a glowing skin. According to the poet she is blessed with these things because she is sincere and she had spent her days sincerely. She may not have cheated to anybody. Her mind is peaceful and her heart is innocent.

(iii) In this poem the poet brings a perfect balance of outer beauty and inner beauty. Write a few lines on how the poet brings this balance in his description.
Ans: The poet is incapable to depict the enchanted beauty of the lady in words. He has used pairs of contradictory words such as bright and dark to describe her eyes, day and night to describe her unique beauty. Such contradictory pairs of words are used in most of the lines of the poem, to bring a perfect balance of outer beauty and inner beauty.

(iv) ‘Beauty is skin deep’- Do you agree with the statement ? Or do you feel that beauty comes from within ? Explain your views in a few sentences.
Ans:  I do not agree with the statement that Beauty is skin deep. It comes from inner goodness of the person. All of us know that appearances are deceptive. All that looks beautiful may not be fair and the things which are not so fair may turn beautiful. The real beauty may not depend on the colour of the skin, but the thoughts in her heart.

(A3) (i) Find out the words which are used to describe the lady in the poem.
Ans: The poet has used following words to describe the lady in the poem- Cloudiness and starry night, mellowed tender light, nameless grace, so soft. so calm. eloquent, winning smile, innocent, etc.

(ii) A contraction is a shortened version of the written and spoken forms of the word, syllable or word groups created by omission of internal letters and sounds. Find out the instances of contractions from the poem.
Ans: The instances of contractions from the poem are as follow That's : And all that's best of dark and bright 
o'er : Or softly lightens o'er her face And on that cheek, and o'er that brow.

(A4) (i) The poet creates an imagery of light and darkness to bring out the beauty of the lady. Find out the lines with such imageries and complete the table.
Ans:  

(ii) Find out from the poem examples of :
(a) Simile : 
Example- (1) She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies:


Explanation: When two dissimilar things having at least one similar quality are directly compared. Here, the beautiful lady and the starry night are directly compares for poetic effect.

(b) Metaphor : When two dissimilar things having more similar qualities are indirectly compared.

Example- (1) Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress.

Explanation:- There is indirect comparison between the color of her hair and shiny black colour of the Raven- a big bird of the crow family,

(2) Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling place.


Explanation: There is indirect comparison between the dwelling place and the heart of the lady.

(c) Alliteration :
Example- (1) Of cloudless climes and starry skies:

Explanation: The sound of initial consonant letters is repeated for musical effect in the line.


(2) And all that's best of dark and bright 
Explanation : The sound of initial consonant letters is repeated for musical effect in the line.

(d) Personification :
Example- (1) The smiles that win, the tints that glow.

Explanation: The human quality (win) is given to the smile.

(2) Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.


Explanation: The human quality (denies) is given to the day"

(e) Antithesis : When two contradictory words, phrases or concepts are used in the given lines to highlight the thought in the sentence.

For example - (1) And that's best of dark and bright 
Explanation: - Two contradictory words dark and bright are used to highlight the beauty of the lady.

(2) One shade the more, one ray the less

Explanation: - Two contradictory words more and less are used to highlight the beauty of the lady.

(A5) (i) Write an appreciation of the poem ‘She Walks
              in Beauty’.
Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for appreciation.
Ans: 
*ABOUT THE POEM : Lord Byron's poem open with the same word that from the title: "SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY”. These four simple words quickly create an atmosphere of admiration and mystery. It is a short eighteen line poem having three sestets (6 line) in praise of an unnamed poet uses several poetic device to express how deeply he is impressed.

*THEME : There are several themes. One is of course beauty. Each feature of the woman- her eyes, her black (RAVEN) tresses. Her soft cheek. Her clam brow and the lovely colour of skin is praised. The poet speaks of harmony. He speaks of the perfect blend of day and night, of light and dark. He speaks of the 'mellowed' or tender light which makes the beauty so rare, delicates and astonishing. The other theme is the inner beauty which is what bring the outer beauty.
He mentions 'HEAVEN' (LINE 6) which may point to a divine side to a beauty. If a person a sinless their mind is pure and clam. There is no evil so the innocence inside causes the outer beauty which is indescribable inside causes the outer beauty which is indescribable
- nameless grace (line 8].

*POETIC DEVICE : The poet uses smile [Line 1] 'Like the night alliteration - 'Cloudless climes'. 'Starry skies'. There is rhyme ababab in all the sestets. He uses metaphor -raven tress (line 15]. And personification –"smiles' that win' [line 15]. There are many examples of antithesis through which the poet stresses on balance. There is harmony of light - dark and bright'. 'tender light -gaudy day'. 'One shade more, one ray less.' These are to emphasize that the beauty is not only physical and external. The mind is calm, the heart is innocent and this causes the outer beauty. Which is seen by him.

*SPECIAL FEATURE : The poem is lyrical, has a steady rhythm and the language is rich with poetic devices. Though the poet does not name the woman, or give any details of her age, his admiration of felt in the tone.

*VALUES MESSAGES : The messages is about the importance of inner beauty, which is almost a divine thing that will make external beauty possible.


*YOUR OPINION : I feel the poem makes us realize that one should look deeper than just outward appearance. One should appreciate beauty in its entirely.

Or

 The poem  ' She Walks in Beauty written by the poet George Gordon Byron.

The opening lines and the title are same. This create captivating atmosphere in the poem. This poem is so interesting to read. It is a short lyrical poem having 18 lines. In these 18 lines three stanzas of six lines each is observed. The six lines stanza is called as sestet. This poem celebrates female beauty, he is impressed by the beauty.

The focus is given on beauty as it is a main theme of the poem. The poet describes not only her inner goodness which make her so captivatingly attractive. Both the external and internal beauty are treated in the poem. He also speaks about harmony. He relates light and dark to the beauty.


Along with this the heavenly beauty means divine beauty is the culmination of the writing.

If the person is sinless his mind is pure and calm.

Although the poem is generally thought to be a love poem, the poet never actually declares his love for this lady. Various figures of speech are used in this poem, like simile, alliteration, metaphor, personification and antithesis.


The focus had not given only on external beauty but on inner beauty as well.

If the mind is calm it causes outer beauty. Though the poet does not name the woman or give any details about her, but he admired her passionately. That can be seen by his words and writings.


He has given us a direct message about importance of beauty.

Mostly inner beauty that makes outer beauty possible. We have to focus on inner beauty rather than other appearance. Because beauty lies in viewers eyes.

(ii) Compose a poem of at least 4 - 6 lines on 'Beauty of Nature'.
Ans:                              Beauty of Nature 

How cute and mute, 

Is her dwelling place, 

Leaving this crowd.

Alone happy in forest, 

Living with a grace

So fair and happy,

Like a daisy, 

Beside the pond.

(iii) Write at least one paragraph and expand the inherent idea of the saying
‘A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever’.
Ans : A thing of Beauty is Joy Forever' is a starting line taken from the poem "Endymion" which is written by John Keats, the great Romantic poet. This phrase is used to describe the concrete beauty of the object, beautiful people or beautiful experience. It means that the beauty that can never be passed off or vanish with the passing time. It will always remain the same but its joy will increase again and again as we see it more and more with passing time. The beauty is present in every single object on this earth. Many of the times we fail to see the internal beauty. We should try to feel the beauty. Once we learn to see the internal beauty, it will change our life. The true beauty is eternal and it gives never ending joy.

(A6) (i) Browse the internet and find out different types of poems on 'Beauty'.
Ans:  “RONDEL OF MERCILESS BEAUTY” 
            BY GEOFFREY CHAUCER

Your two great eyes will slay me suddenly;
Their beauty shakes me who was once serene;
Straight through my heart the wound is quick and keen.

Only your word will heal the injury
To my hurt heart, while yet the wound is clean—
Your two great eyes will slay me suddenly;
Their beauty shakes me who was once serene.

Upon my word, I tell you faithfully
Through life and after death you are my queen;
For with my death the whole truth shall be seen.
Your two great eyes will slay me suddenly;
Their beauty shakes me who was once serene;
Straight through my heart the wound is quick and keen.

 “SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY”

   BY LORD BYRON (GEORGE GORDON)

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!

 “SONNET 54: O, HOW MUCH MORE DOTH BEAUTY BEAUTEOUS SEEM” 

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
By that sweet ornament which truth doth give!
The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live.
The canker blooms have full as deep a dye
As the perfumèd tincture of the roses,
Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly
When summer’s breath their maskèd buds discloses;
But, for their virtue only is their show,
They live unwooed and unrespected fade,
Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so;
Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made.
And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,
When that shall vade, by verse distills your truth.

“SONNET: TO TARTAR, A TERRIER BEAUTY” 

BY THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES

Snowdrop of dogs, with ear of brownest dye,
Like the last orphan leaf of naked tree
Which shudders in black autumn; though by thee,
Of hearing careless and untutored eye,
Not understood articulate speech of men
Nor marked the artificial mind of books,
-The mortal’s voice eternized by the pen,-
Yet hast thou thought and language all unknown
To Babel’s scholars; oft intensest looks,
Long scrutiny over some dark-veined stone
Dost thou bestow, learning dead mysteries
Of the world’s birth-day, oft in eager tone
With quick-tailed fellows bandiest prompt replies,
Solicitudes canine, four-footed amities.

(ii) Byron’s name is often taken along with his two contemporaries – Shelley and Keats. Go to your school/college library and read some poems written by P. B. Shelley and John Keats to get a better idea about the Romantic Poets.
Ans:                           The Cloud

BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers,

From the seas and the streams;

I bear light shade for the leaves when laid

In their noonday dreams.

From my wings are shaken the dews that waken

The sweet buds every one,

When rocked to rest on their mother's breast,

As she dances about the sun.

I wield the flail of the lashing hail,

And whiten the green plains under,

And then again I dissolve it in rain,

And laugh as I pass in thunder.

I sift the snow on the mountains below,

And their great pines groan aghast;

And all the night 'tis my pillow white,

While I sleep in the arms of the blast.

Sublime on the towers of my skiey bowers,

Lightning my pilot sits;

In a cavern under is fettered the thunder,

It struggles and howls at fits;

Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,

This pilot is guiding me,

Lured by the love of the genii that move

In the depths of the purple sea;

Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills,

Over the lakes and the plains,

Wherever he dream, under mountain or stream,

The Spirit he loves remains;

And I all the while bask in Heaven's blue smile,

Whilst he is dissolving in rains.

The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,

And his burning plumes outspread,

Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,

When the morning star shines dead;

As on the jag of a mountain crag,

Which an earthquake rocks and swings,

An eagle alit one moment may sit

In the light of its golden wings.

And when Sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath,

Its ardours of rest and of love,

And the crimson pall of eve may fall

From the depth of Heaven above,

With wings folded I rest, on mine aëry nest,

As still as a brooding dove.

That orbèd maiden with white fire laden,

Whom mortals call the Moon,

Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,

By the midnight breezes strewn;

And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,

Which only the angels hear,

May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof,

The stars peep behind her and peer;

And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,

Like a swarm of golden bees,

When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,

Till calm the rivers, lakes, and seas,

Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,

Are each paved with the moon and these.

I bind the Sun's throne with a burning zone,

And the Moon's with a girdle of pearl;

The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim,

When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.

From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,

Over a torrent sea,

Sunbeam-proof, I hang like a roof,

The mountains its columns be.

The triumphal arch through which I march

With hurricane, fire, and snow,

When the Powers of the air are chained to my chair,

Is the million-coloured bow;

The sphere-fire above its soft colours wove,

While the moist Earth was laughing below.

I am the daughter of Earth and Water,

And the nursling of the Sky;

I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;

I change, but I cannot die.

For after the rain when with never a stain

The pavilion of Heaven is bare,

And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams

Build up the blue dome of air,

I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,

And out of the caverns of rain,

Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,

I arise and unbuild it again.

Ozymandias

BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

I met a traveller from an antique land,

Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,

Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal, these words appear:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

On First Looking into Chapman's Homer

John Keats

Much have I traveled in the realms of gold
    And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
    Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
    That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne;
    Yet never did I breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
    When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
    He stared at the Pacific—and all his men
Looked at each other with a wild surmise—
    Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

I cry your mercy—pity—love!—ay, love

John Keats

To Fanny.

I cry your mercy—pity—love!—ay, love!
  Merciful love that tantalises not
One-thoughted, never-wandering, guileless love,
  Unmask'd, and being seen—without a blot!
O! let me have thee whole,—all—all—be mine!
  That shape, that fairness, that sweet minor zest
Of love, your kiss,—those hands, those eyes divine,
  That warm, white, lucent, million-pleasured breast,—
Yourself—your soul—in pity give me all,
  Withhold no atom's atom or I die,
Or living on, perhaps, your wretched thrall,
  Forget, in the mist of idle misery,
Life's purposes,—the palate of my mind
Losing its gust, and my ambition blind!