Summary:
“She Walks in Beauty” is a lyrical poem by Lord Byron, written in 1814. It is one of his most famous short poems, celebrating the serene beauty of a woman. The poem is believed to have been inspired by Byron’s encounter with Lady Wilmot Horton, who was dressed in a black mourning gown adorned with glittering sequins.
Byron uses contrasting imagery of light and dark to describe the woman’s beauty, not just in her physical appearance but also in her inner grace and virtue. The poem emphasizes harmony, perfection, and the idea that true beauty comes from within. Written in iambic tetrameter, the poem is an example of Romantic poetry, filled with admiration and emotion.
MCQs:
- What is the primary theme of She Walks in Beauty?
A) Unrequited love
B) The contrast between nature and man
C) The admiration of beauty and virtue
D) The tragedy of lost love
Answer: C) The admiration of beauty and virtue - Who wrote She Walks in Beauty?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Lord Byron
C) John Keats
D) Percy Bysshe Shelley
Answer: B) Lord Byron - What inspired Byron to write this poem?
A) A tragic love story
B) His travels in Greece
C) Seeing Lady Wilmot Horton in a black dress
D) The beauty of a sunrise
Answer: C) Seeing Lady Wilmot Horton in a black dress - What poetic meter is used in the poem?
A) Iambic pentameter
B) Trochaic hexameter
C) Iambic tetrameter
D) Free verse
Answer: C) Iambic tetrameter - What literary device is heavily used in She Walks in Beauty?
A) Simile
B) Alliteration
C) Personification
D) Metaphor
Answer: D) Metaphor - What does the contrast of “dark and bright” in the poem symbolize?
A) The woman’s mysterious and radiant beauty
B) The conflict between good and evil
C) The changing seasons
D) The cycle of life and death
Answer: A) The woman’s mysterious and radiant beauty - How does Byron describe the woman’s beauty?
A) As wild and passionate
B) As delicate and harmonious
C) As overwhelming and powerful
D) As tragic and sorrowful
Answer: B) As delicate and harmonious - What is the rhyme scheme of She Walks in Beauty?
A) ABAB
B) AABB
C) ABCABC
D) ABABAB
Answer: D) ABABAB - How does Byron describe the woman’s mind and heart?
A) As dark and mysterious
B) As kind and peaceful
C) As proud and ambitious
D) As sorrowful and troubled
Answer: B) As kind and peaceful - Which literary movement does She Walks in Beauty belong to?
A) Romanticism
B) Realism
C) Modernism
D) Gothic Literature
Answer: A) Romanticism
Question | Answer |
Poem Name | She Walks in Beauty |
Author | Lord Byron |
Year Published | 1814 |
Poem Type | Lyrical Poetry |
Poetic Form | Three stanzas, iambic tetrameter |
Main Themes | Beauty, Light vs. Dark, Inner Virtue |
Inspiration | Lady Wilmot Horton’s appearance |
Symbolism | Contrast of light and dark to represent beauty and grace |
Literary Significance | One of Byron’s most famous short poems |
Writing Style | Romantic, Musical, Descriptive |
Impact | Celebrated for its simplicity and elegance |