Identify the poet of the following lines taken from the poem titled Dover Beach:

The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.

Correct option is D

Explanation:

The correct answer is Matthew Arnold.
Dover Beach is one of Matthew Arnold’s most famous poems, written in the mid-19th century. It is a lyrical meditation that explores themes of faith, uncertainty, and the loss of religious belief in a rapidly changing world. The poem begins with a serene description of the sea at night, symbolizing beauty and tranquility. However, this calmness is soon overshadowed by the poet’s melancholy reflections on the fragility of human faith and the instability of life.
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Information Booster:

"Dover Beach" is the most recognized poem of Matthew Arnold, a writer and educator of the Victorian era. The poem depicts a crisis of faith as the speaker acknowledges Christianity's declining status and believes it cannot keep up with the rapid advancement of science. Humankind's unique and central place in the universe is being called into question by new study and scholarly investigation. The poem's speaker perceives this shift almost unconsciously as she watches and hears it in the sea she is overlooking. The poem's portrayal of alienation, uncertainty, and melancholy is frequently seen as a strikingly progressive forerunner to the existentialist and absurdist religious crises of the 20th century. The poem is essentially an investigation of the meaning of life.

Major Themes in Dover Beach

• Faith and Doubt – The retreating tide symbolizes the decline of religious faith in the modern world.
  
• Uncertainty – The poem suggests that the world is chaotic and unstable, lacking moral and spiritual guidance.
  
• Nature as a Symbol – The calm sea in the opening contrasts with the turbulence of human emotions and existential uncertainty.
  
• Love as a Refuge – Arnold concludes that in an uncertain world, people can find comfort in love and companionship.
  
  

Historical Context:

• Dover Beach was written during the Victorian era, a time when traditional Christian beliefs were being challenged by scientific discoveries.
  
• The poem reflects the anxiety and skepticism many Victorians felt due to the declining influence of religion.
  
  

Literary Techniques in Dover Beach​

• Imagery – The poem uses vivid descriptions of moonlight, cliffs, and waves to create a visual and emotional impact.
  
• Symbolism – The receding sea represents the fading of religious certainty.
  
• Tone Shift – The shift from a calm and peaceful opening to a somber reflection mirrors Arnold’s growing disillusionment with the modern world.
  

Arnold uses the ebb and flow of the sea as a metaphor for the retreat of religious faith, which was being increasingly questioned during the Victorian era due to scientific advancements like Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. He expresses a sense of disillusionment with the world and suggests that human beings must rely on love and personal relationships to find meaning in life.

The poem’s tone moves from calm and peaceful to melancholic and reflective, illustrating Arnold’s belief that modern society had lost its spiritual certainty and was now standing on unstable ground.

Additional Knowledge:

Thomas Hardy  – Though a Victorian poet, Hardy’s works focused on fate, pessimism, and realism, not the spiritual concerns of Dover Beach.

Amy Levy  – A poet known for themes of feminism and isolation.

John Clare  – A Romantic poet, famous for celebrating nature and rural life, whereas Dover Beach reflects existential concerns.