Here’s a detailed essay on Michael Drayton’s poem “The Parting” with clear subheadings to
help you understand and present it effectively:
Michael Drayton – “The Parting”
Introduction
Michael Drayton (1563–1631) was one of the prominent poets of the Elizabethan age. A
contemporary of Shakespeare, he was known for his sonnets and historical poems. Among his
best-known works is “Idea’s Mirror”, a sequence of sonnets expressing unfulfilled love. “The
Parting” (also known as “Since there’s no help, come let us kiss and part”) is one of Drayton’s
most famous sonnets. It beautifully captures the pain and dignity of a final farewell between
lovers.
Summary of the Poem
The poem opens with the speaker addressing his beloved, suggesting that they should part
peacefully:
“Since there’s no help, come let us kiss and part.”
He proposes a final kiss of farewell, free from anger or resentment. He declares that their love is
dead and that neither of them should try to rekindle it. He even asks her not to look back or sigh
for him, emphasizing a sense of mature detachment.
However, in the concluding lines, the tone subtly changes. The poet personifies “Love” and
“Faith,” portraying them as dying figures. Just when Love seems ready to take its last breath, the
speaker expresses a faint wish — that his beloved might look back once, and by that glance,
“new life may be infused.” Thus, the poem ends on a note of delicate hope amid despair.
Theme of the Poem
The central theme of “The Parting” is love and separation. The poet speaks about a
relationship that has reached its end. Unlike other love poems filled with bitterness or sorrow,
Drayton’s tone is calm, restrained, and dignified. He accepts the end of love with quiet
resignation but leaves a faint hope that love might revive. The poem explores the emotional
tension between finality and longing, death and possible renewal of love.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the poem is controlled, calm, and rational at first, as though the speaker accepts the
inevitable end. But as the poem moves forward, the tone shifts to emotional and tender,
revealing the speaker’s inner sadness and lingering affection. The final lines create a mood of
wistful longing, showing that even when love seems dead, a single glance or act of care can
revive it.
Imagery and Language
Drayton uses simple yet powerful imagery to convey emotional depth.
● The kiss symbolizes the end of affection but also serves as a gentle act of closure.
● The personification of Love and Faith gives a dramatic and emotional quality to the
idea of dying affection.
● Phrases like “Love’s last gasp” and “Faith to Death’s pale lips” vividly express the dying
state of the relationship.
Drayton’s language is clear and direct, avoiding excessive ornamentation. His choice of words
reflects honesty and emotional sincerity, making the poem timeless.
Structure and Form
“The Parting” is a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter
with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The first twelve lines (three quatrains) describe the speaker’s acceptance of separation, while the
final couplet introduces a sudden emotional twist — the hope for renewal. This structure
effectively mirrors the shifting emotions of the
The Final Couplets
In the last two lines, the poet’s emotional restraint gives way to a flicker of vulnerability:
“Now, at the last gasp of Love’s latest breath,
When, his pulse failing, Passion speechless lies…”
These lines use the metaphor of death to represent love’s end. Yet, the poet suggests that even in
that final moment, love might be revived by a look or a sigh. This ending makes the poem both
tragic and hopeful, showing Drayton’s mastery of emotional complexity.
Conclusion
Michael Drayton’s “The Parting” stands as one of the most moving love sonnets of the
Elizabethan age. It portrays the pain of separation with honesty, dignity, and restraint. The poem
captures the universal human experience of parting—how one must let go, yet silently hopes for
renewal. Through simple language, strong imagery, and emotional depth, Drayton transforms a
personal experience of heartbreak into a timeless expression of love and loss.
