Break, Break, Break by Alfred Tennyson - Summary
The poem is written by Alfred Tennyson, a Victorian poet. It was written as an elegy in the memory of his close friend, Arthur Hallam. The pain he was going through reflects in this poem.
Stanza 1
The beginning lines of the poem describe the grief and depressed state of the poet. He says that just like the sea finds its outlet by striking its waves on the gray stone on the shore, he wish he could express his repressed thoughts and sadness that is burning inside his heart.
Stanza 2
In this stanza, Tennyson gives examples of fisherman's children and young sailors. The fisherman's boy who along with his sister can play and shout freely and involve in frolic activities. He considers a young sailor lucky as he can sing a song in his boat without any stress and repression.
Stanza 3
Tennyson notices that the huge ships return to the harbour. He feels that something is missing from his life, a friendly physical touch of a hand and a familiar voice of a loved one who has left the world. Tennyson here refers to his deceased friend Hallam.
Stanza 4
Tennyson again refers to the sea waves breaking on the rocks on the shore, he realizes that the elegant presence and grace of a dead one will never come back to him.
Stanza 1
The beginning lines of the poem describe the grief and depressed state of the poet. He says that just like the sea finds its outlet by striking its waves on the gray stone on the shore, he wish he could express his repressed thoughts and sadness that is burning inside his heart.
Stanza 2
In this stanza, Tennyson gives examples of fisherman's children and young sailors. The fisherman's boy who along with his sister can play and shout freely and involve in frolic activities. He considers a young sailor lucky as he can sing a song in his boat without any stress and repression.
Stanza 3
Tennyson notices that the huge ships return to the harbour. He feels that something is missing from his life, a friendly physical touch of a hand and a familiar voice of a loved one who has left the world. Tennyson here refers to his deceased friend Hallam.
Stanza 4
Tennyson again refers to the sea waves breaking on the rocks on the shore, he realizes that the elegant presence and grace of a dead one will never come back to him.