A Comparison of Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold and Prayer Before Brith b

A Comparison of capital of Delaw be Beach by Matthew Arnold and Prayer Before Brith by Louis MacNeice Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold, create verbally in 1867, and Prayer Before Birth written in 1951 by Louis MacNeice share galore(postnominal) similarities despite being written nearly on hundred long time apart from each separate. This essay will explore the issues and ideas that both poems share, in addition to drawing attention to some of the key differences. Dover Beach is about the thoughts of a man on his honeymoon, who shares his sentiments about the suffering of the world and that fact that his love is the exactly thing which is positive about his life. Prayer Before Birth describes the thoughts of an unborn child, making a plea to be kept safe against the dangers of the earth. Both poems refer to, are about, are interested in, and are concerned with criticism of the world, and distressed narrators bit some differences can be observed. For example The unborn child in Prayer Before Birth is certain of what the world is like, and he knows what might happen to him. Matthew Arnold, on the other hand expresses uncertainty in his poem. Even with slight differences, the overriding themes /preoccupations of the two poems are the same. It is clear that both poets feel disillusioned with life, and cerebrate that there is little in life which is joyful or set for optimism. Indeed, Matthew Arnold refers to a world which, Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain. Louis MacNeice is much to a greater extent specific in is list of things which bring pain to individuals the lectures of old men, the fight with bureaucracy, the humilia... ... free thinking of his own. To him, this is a fate worse than death, and he would sooner die. What I think, is that the two poems are similar, because they are both evoke deject notes coming form the poet. Especially Prayer Before Birth, because how can a foetus be so incredibly pessimistic? Dover Beach in my opinion is more(prenominal) than poetic and more symbolic, and much more profound whereas Prayer Before Birth is more superficial and straightforward. I personally preferred Dover Beach because of its vivid imagery, and subtle references to religion. I also feel sorry for Matthew Arnold, because when he wrote that beautiful poem, he was feeling anxiety, and uncertainty. He defiantly was not content whilst writing Dover Beach. On the other hand I believe that Louis MacNeice was being cynical, and narrow minded.