Symbolism Imagery Apostrophe Addressing someonesomething that is not

Symbolism & Imagery

Apostrophe – Addressing someone/something that is not there Proper Noun – a capitalised noun that has further meanings “The Sick Rose” O Rose thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm: Metaphor? Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy. What kind of bed? Synesthesia – figurative language in which different sensory experiences are mixed (colour + feeling) Personification

Story Boarding Story board the poem, creating a pictorial image for each of the lines. Think how could the language be interpreted and what each line symbolises. The story board could be literal interpretations or figurative and abstract.

‘O Rose thou art Sick’ ‘The invisible worm’ ‘That flies in the night’ ‘In the howling storm: ’ Has found out thy bed’ ‘Of crimson joy’ ‘And his dark secret love’ ‘Does thy life destroy’ Has the meaning of the poem changed? What story is it telling?

Symbol Rose Sickness Invisibility Worm Flies in the night Howling storm Bed Crimson joy Dark secret love Life Destroy Literal Figurative

Interpretations § The lament of a saddened gardener upon the diseased and ruined roses in the garden – “O Rose thou art sick” § Politically, to a corrupt England her vices – “Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy: ” § How innocent love can be corrupted by a world of lust, resulting in immorality, sexual illness or unwanted pregnancy – “his dark secret love, Does thy life destroy” § A warning against infidelity and of the persuasive charms of men – “The invisible worm, That flies in the night” § Unrequited love which has destroyed the lover through longing – “And his dark secret love, Does thy life destroy. ”

Essay Question How does William Blake use symbolism and imagery in the poem, “The Sick Rose? ” Remember to include: • A conceptualised response & interpretations • Explanation of subject, tone, and themes • ** Language analysis ** –Techniques used, and their purpose/effect –Word connotations Evidence, explanation, and analysis must all relate to the conceptualised response