Drama and poetry pre-
1900
Component 1, Section 2
,Response (AO1) - 12.5%
Context (AO3) - 50%
Comparison (AO4) - 25%
Interpretations (AO5) - 12.5%
, Response (AO1)
Ar ticulate infor med, personal
and creative responses to literar y
texts, using associated concepts
and ter minology, and coherent,
accurate wr itten expression
, o In ‘From the Antique’, we find Rossetti in a lethargic mood –
embracing nihilism and longing for death. This is reflected through use
of caesura to slow the pace of the poem, thereby enhancing its
weariness.
o The poem explores the plight of middle-class women – Middle-class
Victorian women existed in comfort (for the most part) but lacked any
real freedom. The existence afforded to them was dull and monotonous
– a sort of existential drudgery.
‘go and come’
This inverted collocation contributes to the sense of lethargy
in the poem by creating a sense of discomfort.
‘Doubly blank is the woman’s lot’
This oxymoronic phrase from ‘From the Antique’ appears to
be the product of the life afforded to middle-class Victorian women - a
sort of existential drudgery.These women lived lives of relative comfort,
yet lacked the autonomy required to create meaning in their own lives.
Instead, they existed to complete endless tasks and reach milestones (e.g.
marriage) but were limited in what they could accomplish beyond
domestic activities and childrearing. Therefore, this poem can be
understood as the product of an existence limited to the confines of a
Pg. 1 ‘gilded cage’.
1900
Component 1, Section 2
,Response (AO1) - 12.5%
Context (AO3) - 50%
Comparison (AO4) - 25%
Interpretations (AO5) - 12.5%
, Response (AO1)
Ar ticulate infor med, personal
and creative responses to literar y
texts, using associated concepts
and ter minology, and coherent,
accurate wr itten expression
, o In ‘From the Antique’, we find Rossetti in a lethargic mood –
embracing nihilism and longing for death. This is reflected through use
of caesura to slow the pace of the poem, thereby enhancing its
weariness.
o The poem explores the plight of middle-class women – Middle-class
Victorian women existed in comfort (for the most part) but lacked any
real freedom. The existence afforded to them was dull and monotonous
– a sort of existential drudgery.
‘go and come’
This inverted collocation contributes to the sense of lethargy
in the poem by creating a sense of discomfort.
‘Doubly blank is the woman’s lot’
This oxymoronic phrase from ‘From the Antique’ appears to
be the product of the life afforded to middle-class Victorian women - a
sort of existential drudgery.These women lived lives of relative comfort,
yet lacked the autonomy required to create meaning in their own lives.
Instead, they existed to complete endless tasks and reach milestones (e.g.
marriage) but were limited in what they could accomplish beyond
domestic activities and childrearing. Therefore, this poem can be
understood as the product of an existence limited to the confines of a
Pg. 1 ‘gilded cage’.
