Question

What effect does Mathew Arnold’s allusion to Sophocles have on the meaning of the poem “Dover Beach”?

Answer 1

The poem is about the inherent sorrows in human life.

The poet mentions Sophocles, the Greek playwright who wrote tragedies.

The melancholy tone of the poem is enhanced by the reference to the Greek playwright.

The poem deals with the helplessness of human beings and their vulnerability because of the loss of faith.

He mentions Sophocles to emphasize the themes of sorrow and helplessness.

(PLATO)

Answer 2

In "Dover Beach," writer Matthew Arnold expounds on the impact science has had on religion. Not sometime before the ballad's production, Charles Darwin distributed On the Origin of Species, in which he reported his reviews on development. Arnold's lyric is viewed as a record of the ensuing conflict amongst science and religion.