“View of Scotland/Love Poem: Form and Structure” Overview

Form

The poem utilises a free verse form, deviating from traditional poetic structures and forms.
Free verse form allows for more creative freedom encouraging natural speech rhythms.

Structure

Structure is equally non-uniform, the breakdown into four stanzas is irregular, reflecting the idea that love and its perceptions can also be irregular and do not obey rules.
The transition from the third to the fourth stanza denotes a significant change of topic and tone, illustrating different phases of the poet’s relationship.
Each stanza is a stand-alone snapshot of the speaker’s experiences, further reinforcing the non-linear narrative.

Use of Contrast

Lochhead uses contrast effectively between the patriotic views about Scotland (idealised image) and the reality of living there (real image). This contrast parallels with the admiration in love and the realities of romance.
The abrupt shift between the external view (Scotland) and the internal view (Love) creates an unexpected yet potent comparison between the country and the emotion.

Visual Imagery

Lochhead’s use of visual imagery and lucid descriptions effectively captures the essence of a particular moment in time. This technique is evident in the way she describes both Scotland and her feelings of romantic love.

The key aspects in understanding the form and structure of “View of Scotland/Love Poem” are the application of free verse, effective use of structure, understanding the role of contrast, and the potent visual imagery Lochhead uses. Focusing on these areas will provide a comprehensive understanding of the poem’s form and structure.