Scribd
Upload
13 views9 pages

Anne Hathaway Poem Project

Uploaded by

ngutra4550
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views9 pages

Anne Hathaway Poem Project

Uploaded by

ngutra4550
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Anne Hathaway

Carol Ann Duffy

Jazeline C, Tristan P, Gaby S, Sandra T


Introduction
Title: Anne Hathaway

Author: Carol Ann Duffy

Summary: Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, remembers


the bed she shared with her husband as their own whimsical
safe space, after her husband’s passing. Now, as a widow she
reminisces their relationship and Shakespeare’s memory.

Inquiry: Art, creativity, and the imagination


Historical Context
Anne
Hathaway
Context: Hathaway was the wife of the
famous playwright, poet, and actor
William Shakespeare. He is recognized
for his plays, including Hamlet, Julius
Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet. She
married Shakespeare at 26 when
Shakespeare was 18, though she
outlived him by 7 years.
Importance: After his passing, William
Shakespeare in his will, leaves the
“second best bed” to Hathaway as a final
allusion to the loving and passionate
world they once shared. The poem
explores their relationship in reference to
Key literary
Techniques~Metaphors
Example: (Lines 3-5) “My lover’s words/ were shooting stars which fell to earth
as kisses/ on these lips”

Analysis: Through this metaphor, Duffy compares the flatteries Shakespeare


once spoke to Hathaway to a rarity and beauty similar to shooting stars.
Implying how special his words made Hathaway feel, while simultaneously
alluding to Shakespeare mastery of the English language.

Effect: This evokes and emphasizes the intimate relationship between


Shakespeare and Hathaway. As well as highlights how the dynamic of
Hathaway as recipient to Shakespeare's affection reflected a healthy
relationship between the two.
Key literary
Techniques~Alliteration
Example:
“Living laughing love” (Line 12)

Analysis:
The repeated soft “l” sound enhances the joy and vitality in the speaker's
memories, creating a gentle, lyrical rhythm that reflects the tenderness of her
relationship and lingering affection. This alliteration evokes movement and life,
capturing the warmth and playfulness they shared.

Effect:
This highlights the contrast between her joyful memories and her current
reality as a widow. Her memories feel vivid and alive, but now exist only in her
mind. The contrast between the vibrant “living laughing love” and the somber
“casket” underscores the shift from shared experiences to cherished
memories, intensifying her sense of loss.
Key literary
Techniques~Enjambment
Example:
“The bed we loved in was a spinning world/ of forests, castles, torchlight, cliff-tops,
seas/ where he would dive for pearls.” (Line 1)

Analysis:
The technique creates a sense of fluidity, mirroring the speaker's emotions and the
boundless nature of her relationship. The enjambment enhances the image of their
bed as a "spinning world," suggesting a dynamic, ever-moving love that transcended
the physical world. The enjambed lines enhance the emotions within the poem and
contribute to the reader’s desire to continue reading each impactful line.

Effect:
This evokes intimacy, with thoughts and memories blending seamlessly, reflecting
the limitless love they shared. Readers feel the expansiveness of their connection,
reinforcing the depth of her vivid recollections.
Analysis of
Relationships
What does Duffy say about women, men and
relationship in the poem?
In the poem “Anne Hathaway”, Carol Ann Duffy expresses the
resilience of romantic love even after death, by portraying Anne
Hathaway as a widow, fondly reminiscing over her marriage with
William Shakespeare. In this case, Hathaway griefs and celebrates
Shakespeare as a husband and famous writer by cherishing his
memory in a “casket” within her mind, similar to how he
poetically cherished her in bed.

The poem allows insight into Hathaway's untold perspective


and allows one to perceive Shakespeare in a more human light,
recognizing his relationship with his wife rather than the
playwright he is known as.

Overall, Duffy expresses the positive aspects of a long-lasting


and loving relationship through the expression of the story
Modern-Day
Connections
Connection to modern-day contemporary issues
Hathaway’s remembrance to her husband’s life and their relationship could be
connected to various modern-day experiences. One such instance would be the
poem’s references to literature and its contribution to the development of
Hathaway’s deep relationship. In the modern day, one may experience a
similarly deep connection with the representation of other forms of literature, for
example. The theme of love can transcend throughout different time periods
and be represented in various manners. The poem’s message regarding long-
lasting love can still resonate with today’s readers.
Thank you for
listening!

You might also like