Dover Beach is a poem by Matthew Arnold, published in 1867. It is a dramatic monologue addressed to the narrator's lover, who is also the listener of the poem. The poem is set in Dover, a town on the coast of England, and describes the changing of the tides and the withdrawal of the sea.
The poem begins with a description of the tranquil setting of Dover Beach, with the narrator describing the sea as "calm and still." However, this peaceful setting is soon disrupted by the sounds of the incoming tide, which the narrator compares to a "grating roar." The tide is described as a "eternal note of sadness," reflecting the narrator's own feelings of melancholy and isolation.
As the poem progresses, the narrator compares the changing of the tides to the shifting and uncertain nature of human society. He laments the loss of faith and belief in the world, describing how "the world, which seems / To lie before us like a land of dreams, / So various, so beautiful, so new, / Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, / Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain."
The narrator's despair is further heightened by the fact that he is unable to find solace in the natural world, as even the beauty of the sea and the beach are tinged with sadness and a sense of loss. He describes the sea as a "darkling plain," and the beach as a "desolate shore," emphasizing the sense of isolation and emptiness that he feels.
Despite the bleak and despairing tone of the poem, the narrator ultimately finds hope in the enduring love and companionship of his lover. He implores her to "Love and be loved," and to find solace in each other in a world that seems to offer little else.
In conclusion, Dover Beach is a poignant and moving reflection on the human condition, and the search for meaning and connection in a world that can often seem bleak and uncertain. Through the use of vivid imagery and evocative language, Arnold captures the feelings of isolation and despair that many of us experience at times, and offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
