Question

Referring closely to the poem Dover Beach:

How does the poet introduce the note of melancholy and disturbance? In this context, what does he say about Faith?

Answer 1

The unpleasant sound of the waves creates ‘a sense of melancholy’ in the speaker’s head. The author is reminded of the Greek playwright Sophocles, who composed tragedies about human agony after hearing the sounds of the Aegean Sea. The speaker goes on to bemoan the loss of religion in contemporary culture. Here, he alludes to the frustration and despair of the chaotic, modern world. Additionally, he states that he believes the collapse of faith is to blame for this type of circumstance in which there is “neither joy, nor love, nor light, nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain.”

The poet claims that the globe was once covered like seawater by human faith, religious faith, and faith in one another. It was as full as the tide at the time. And this deep faith addressed many issues and made everything simple. It drew humanity together and gave life purpose. “But now I only hear melancholy’s long withdrawing roar” expresses regret that those times are now behind us. He likens humanity to the “naked shingles of the world,” prone to misfortune and misery.