We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

When We Two Parted Death Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear; (17-18)

"Knell" is synonymous with death. Always. Period. It is the bell rung to announce somebody's death. The mention of the woman's name is like the announcement that somebody is dead—is it the speaker, who feels dead or feels like death? Is it the woman, who is essentially "dead" to the speaker? It's hard to tell just whose death is being heralded by the "knell" here.

Quote #5

In silence I grieve,
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive (26-28)

Like we said, death is sneaky. Here he arrives in the form of forgetfulness. The speaker might as well be dead to the woman whose "heart" has entirely forgotten about him.