Comment on the Tone of the Poem “Breathes There the Man”.

Comment on the tone of the poem “Breathes There the Man”.

The poem “Breathes There the Man” (1805) by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) is filled with strong feelings. It talks about love for one’s homeland and the sadness of those who do not care for it. Through this, Scott shares his deep connection with his native land. The tone of the poem is emotional, passionate, and a bit mournful.

Tone of the Poem

Patriotic and Proud: The first part of the poem shows a proud and patriotic tone. Scott asks if there is anyone who does not feel love for their own country. He says that such a person is “soul so dead.” This shows how strongly he feels about the importance of loving one’s homeland.

Sad and Disappointed: The tone shifts to sadness and disappointment when Scott talks about people who care only about their titles, wealth, and power. He says that even though they may have everything, they will die without honor. They will be forgotten, “unwept, unhonoured, and unsung.” This makes the tone feel gloomy and regretful.

Loving and Tender: In the second part, the tone becomes loving and tender. Scott talks about his connection to Scotland. He describes the beauty of its land, such as the mountains and streams. Even in difficult times, he finds comfort in his country. The tone here is gentle, full of affection and deep love for the land.

In short, the poem has different tones. It starts with pride and moves to sadness. The poem ends with deep love for the homeland. The tone helps show the poet’s strong emotions about his country.