Summary:
“When We Two Parted” is a deeply personal and melancholic poem by Lord Byron, written in 1808 and published in 1816. The poem explores themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and betrayal. Byron reflects on a past romantic relationship that ended in sorrow. He expresses feelings of grief, regret, and secrecy, suggesting that the love was not only painful but also hidden from society.
The poem is written in four octets (eight-line stanzas) and follows a regular rhyme scheme (ABABCDCD), which enhances its rhythmic flow. The tone is mournful and bitter, as Byron recalls the cold farewell, the silence between the lovers, and the deep emotional wounds that remain even after time has passed.
The poem hints that the woman he loved may have been unfaithful, adding to his sorrow. He suggests that the love they once shared is now something he cannot even talk about, making his pain even greater. The poem concludes with a haunting thought—if they ever meet again, he will greet her in silence, just as they parted.
MCQs:
- What is the central theme of When We Two Parted?
A) The excitement of a new relationship
B) The pain of lost love and betrayal
C) The beauty of nature
D) The importance of friendship
Answer: B) The pain of lost love and betrayal - Who wrote When We Two Parted?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Percy Bysshe Shelley
C) Lord Byron
D) John Keats
Answer: C) Lord Byron - What emotion dominates the poem?
A) Joy
B) Nostalgia
C) Regret and sorrow
D) Anger
Answer: C) Regret and sorrow
When We Two Parted - What does the poet mean by “silence and tears” in the first stanza?
A) He is too happy to speak
B) He is keeping his emotions hidden and suffering in silence
C) He is enjoying a peaceful moment
D) He is planning revenge
Answer: B) He is keeping his emotions hidden and suffering in silence - What literary device is used in the line “Pale grew thy cheek and cold, colder thy kiss”?
A) Simile
B) Alliteration
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Alliteration - How does the poet feel about the end of the relationship?
A) Relieved
B) Deeply saddened and betrayed
C) Hopeful for reconciliation
D) Indifferent
Answer: B) Deeply saddened and betrayed - What does the phrase “Thy vows are all broken” suggest?
A) The woman has died
B) The woman has broken her promises, possibly by being unfaithful
C) The poet regrets his own actions
D) The poet is forgetting the past
Answer: B) The woman has broken her promises, possibly by being unfaithful - How does the poet describe his feelings towards his former lover now?
A) He still loves her deeply
B) He is indifferent to her
C) He feels bitterness and sorrow
D) He wants to rekindle their relationship
Answer: C) He feels bitterness and sorrow - What does the poet predict will happen if he sees his former lover again?
A) He will be overjoyed
B) He will confront her angrily
C) He will remain silent, just as when they parted
D) He will beg for her love again
Answer: C) He will remain silent, just as when they parted - What does the phrase “They name thee before me, a knell to mine ear” suggest?
A) Hearing her name reminds him of death and sorrow
B) He is happy when people mention her
C) He still talks about her with pride
D) He has completely forgotten her
Answer: A) Hearing her name reminds him of death and sorrow
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | When We Two Parted |
| Author | Lord Byron |
| Year Written | 1808 |
| Year Published | 1816 |
| Poem Type | Lyric Poetry |
| Poetic Structure | Four stanzas of eight lines each (octets) |
| Rhyme Scheme | ABABCDCD |
| Main Themes | Love, Betrayal, Loss, Regret |
| Tone | Melancholic, Bitter, Regretful |
| Literary Devices | Alliteration, Metaphor, Symbolism, Repetition |
| Impact | Considered one of Byron’s most personal and emotional poems |