In this essay I will attempt to compare and contrast the poem “Meeting at Night” by Robert Browning with “Resolution and Independence” by William Wordsworth. I shall begin by analysing the poems and looking for three similarities and differences, which will make me decide my final conclusion.
The simplest similarity that links these two poems is that they are both about nature. Meeting at Night gives the impression of secrecy and darkness that goes together with the night and the morning suggests the revelation which light brings that prevents them getting together. In Resolution and Independence Wordsworth describes the nature more briefly and accurately. The language Wordsworth has used has a great effect on our senses. For example, in the first line
‘There was a roaring in the wind all night’
Here the use of metaphor ‘roaring in the wind’ used by Wordsworth relies on our sense of hearing to enable us to experience this image fully. An image however is not necessarily only a visual image; the image can be created by the poet”s use of different senses and qualities.
Both of the poems also change from negative to positive. In the first verse of Meeting at Night, Browning emphasizes a man’s desperate and brave quest for romantic pleasure, which is prevented with obstacles and doubt. Also in the poem “Meeting At Night,” a powerfully romantic mood is built almost entirely by the use of images, which practically involve all of our senses.
Only in the language of the third and fourth lines there is a hint of a metaphor used, which describes similarities between waves and living creatures:
‘And startled little waves that leap
In fiery ringlets from their sleep,’
The use of personification that gives personal qualities to the waves builds on the emotional description of nature and makes us more involved in the poem. It also helps us to relate to the description very easily. In Resolution and Independence, we are given a scene of the countryside that was stormy the previous night, but has cleared up through the morning and now proves to be a cheerful day.
Both poems use traditional poetic techniques well. In Meeting at Night, Browning uses alliteration in the line,
‘Then a mile of warm, sea – scented beach;’
The use of alliteration is used to create specific sound effects. For example, the repetition of the ‘s’ sound echoes as being read which will improve the emotional effect the poet is trying to achieve. By describing it to us using alliteration, the poet helps us hear as well as picture the scene he wishes to create. Personally this technique made me draw more attention to particular words. In Resolution and Independence in the language of the fifth line there is a hint of assonance used,
‘Over his own sweet voice the Stock – dove broods;’
The assonance is in the repetition of the “o” sound it is long and lasting and it also creates a brilliant effect by occurring in the slow and deliberate part of the poem. Resolution and Independence also uses iambic pentameter which is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one more thoughtfully than Meeting at Night e.g.
‘There was a roaring in the wind all night’
The underlined words are all stressed syllables, which make the poem easy to understand and it also results in a clear structure.
On the other hand these two poems have variety of differences. Meeting at Night has detailed narrative structure with a beginning, middle and end, but Resolution and Independence has little narrative structure but is more descriptive and accurate. The structure of Meeting at Night is clear and an important contributor to the overall effect it has on us. The way Browning slowly builds up the tension throughout the poem helps us create a feeling of real excitement and mystery. In the poem the narrative structure is revealed through a series of images and ideas, which gradually develop the feeling and the meaning. Personally Meeting at Night has engaged me to read on to find out what happens next. It also creates suspense and tension by moving from negative to positive.
The metre gives us meaning far more clearly and thoughtfully in Resolution and Independence. For example, in line 1,
‘There was a roaring in the wind all night’
The image is wild, rough and casual. But as the story gradually develops the image starts to appear normal.
Usually syllables that rhyme are stressed e.g. night–bright, floods– woods. Boring or common syllables are rarely stressed e.g. was, a, in etc. The thoughtful use of Iambic pentameter in Resolution and Independence makes the poem for us as readers far easier and straightforward. Wordsworth’s use of imagery makes us relate this poem to the environment we are living in, which makes this poem more realistic and true.
Resolution and Independence also involves animals, unlike Meeting at Night, which is more about human beings and their struggles. Personally, I believe Wordsworth highlights the needs and struggles of animals and not just humans. Also there is the use of onomatopoeia in Resolution and Independence; ‘roaring’ a word that imitates natural sound, so that sound reflects sense making the poem more exciting.
In Meeting at Night Browning takes advantage of poetic techniques such as onomatopoeia and repeats this technique repeatedly throughout the poem which creates a desired effect.
I personally believe the two poets are using different approaches to express the same emotion, which are the passion, feeling and love of nature. They also use similar ideas and images but far more differently. Both of these poets have chosen their words carefully, each word is there for a purpose. Both of these poems contain words that have their own special pleasant sounds for example ‘slushy’ and ‘roaring’. I think the easiest way a poet can create a brilliant image is through the use of metaphor, simile and personification. Effective imagery almost etches itself on our mind as readers and can be a very persuasive, acting to engage us strongly in the writing.
