Poem Analysis-She Walks in Beauty-Lord Byron

"She walks in Beauty" 
by Lord Byron

1814

      Lord Byron wrote this poem to describe the beauty of his cousin's wife, Mrs. Wilmot.  In the poem, Lord Byron isn't just talking about Mrs. Wilmot's looks, he's also talking about the things around her.  It gives me many visualizations.  Imagine the sun glowing upon someone's face as you stare at them.  Seeing that is beautiful.  It's the little things that can define beauty, and I think Lord Byron is describing this very well.  For instance, "She walks in beauty, like the night."  There is a lot of comparing going on throughout this poem.  Since the poem is written in iambic pentameter, you really feel the flow of the poem, and it's intriguing to read on.  From reading this poem, I feel as though Lord Byron views Mrs. Wilmot as wondrous.  Her innocence draws people in.  All of the different comparisons really help you visualize the aspects of beauty that are trying to be portrayed.  After reading, "Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face", it definitely helps me with the understanding.  Many metaphors are used, as well as personification.


      It seems as though Mrs. Wilmot, including everything around her, is something that Lord Byron has thought diligently about.  This poem is very simple for me to analyze.  I enjoy all of the visuals, as they give me a better understanding.  I like the way Lord Byron chose to write this poem, not only about Mrs. Wilmot, but also about the indescribable beauty that surrounds us all.

      At the end of the first paragraph, Lord Byron is describing many opposites and it starts to set the mood.  The mood I get from this is simplicity.  Mrs. Wilmot's grace is so simple and makes Lord Byron catch glimpses of this beautiful woman.

***The rhyme scheme is: ABABAB ABABAB ABABAB

The link is below to read the poem:

http://classicpoetryaloud.podomatic.com/entry/2007-06-21T05_25_11-07_00