An Arundel Tomb Essay Questions

How do the speaker’s feelings about the effigy change throughout the poem?

Initially, the speaker takes little interest in the effigy. He then notices, however, that the earl and countess are holding hands, which he finds a surprisingly moving touch. He reasons with himself that it may be meaningless, however, and suggests it might have just been added at the sculptor’s whim ("sweet commissioned grace") or to impress a friend. He nonetheless marvels at the effigy’s survival throughout centuries, but he finds that the hands represent only “an almost-instinct almost true”—not quite eternal love.

How does the final line impact your interpretation of the poem? On balance, is it more hopeful or cynical towards love?

The final line can be interpreted in multiple ways. First, it can bring back an element of hope. After calling the effigy simply "untruth," the speaker concedes that it's almost true that it represents eternal love. Alternately, the line indicates that humans can in a way be immortal. After all, even if the symbol proves false, the speaker did engage with it, leaving the couple's legacy tied to him in a way it would never otherwise be if it weren't for the effigy's intertwined hands. Additionally, the line can be read in a pessimistic way, suggesting that the line itself is ironic and serves to emphasize that love does not in fact survive.