For our lesson we continued to look at Tithonus in closer detail.


During the lesson we were split into groups, each focussing on a single aspect. We looked at how that aspect helped to tell the story of Tithonus.


CHARACTER:


structure-
lines 1-4 is in Iambic Pentameter however line 5 changes to Dactylic Trimeter. This interrupts the rhythm of the poem, forcing the focus to now be on Tithonus instead of his surroundings.

language-
lines 1-4 also have no enjambment, however this stops at line 5 which flows onto the next line. The use of enjambment when describing the dying environment mirrors it will come to and end like the line. On the other hand, the line where Tithonus is mentioned reflects on the fact he is immortal and will go on forever, like the line.

form-
the dramatic monologue changes from dialogic (lines 1-31) to interior (lines 32-49) and then back to dialogic (lines 50-76).
However it isnt a clear change, it tends to blur from one to the other, showing the complexity of his character. The dialogic shows his isolation as Eos has been taken out of the conversation entirely, and the interior showing his sadness as he lets out his inner thoughts of desperation.



SETTING:


structure-
lines 1-4 also have no enjambment, however this stops at line 5 which flows onto the next line. The use of enjambment when describing the dying environment mirrors it will come to and end like the line. On the other hand, the line where Tithonus is mentioned reflects on the fact he is immortal and will go on forever, like the line.

language-
in line 71, there is an antithesis, 'and grassy barrows of the happier dead' this represents his feelings of being happier dead than alive.

form-
interior dramatic monologue shows the characters inner thoughts of sadness as it consists of lifeless language.


KEY MOMENTS:

structure-
lines 46-49, the smallest stanza shows him regretting his choice of immortality and is a relfection of this sadness. It is also at the cntre of the poem, representing his heart which is full of negative emotions.

language-
in line 26 there is melifluous language, 'shines in those tremulous eyes that fill with tears' however Tithonus' syntax changes in line 27 to become staccato. The line is made up of imperatives 'let me go: take back thy gift:'. This could symbolise his own death, he does not want immortality any longer.


FOCALISATION:

structure-the shift in focalisation between Tithonus and Eos in the stanzas shows the contrast between life and death, cheerful and morbid.language-in the 3rd stanza, there is an over use of plosives 'brows, bosom, pure, begins, brightens' this represents her powerful presence which has a big impact on Tithonus and his mood, consequently altering his language.


STRUCTURAL CONTRAST:

structure-
iambic pentameter to dactylic trimeter in the first stanza shows the shift between the setting and him.language-the contrast between the colours, greys represent Tithonus in his dull state and Eos is surrounded by bright and vibrant colours to represent that she is full of life and youthful.