No matter how often we hear that beauty is only skin deep, we all know the mysterious attraction of a beautiful person. Beauty moves us. We want to believe that outer appearances express inner qualities.

In the poem She Walks in Beauty, by Lord Byron, what in the woman’s appearance does the speaker praise? what conclusions does he draw about her character and personality?

This poem has been criticized as sentimental and dependent on clichés. Tell me whether or not you agree and why.

Do you think that inward nature can be revealed by outward appearances? Explain.

Just for fun: Watch this video about 500 years of female portraits in Western Art, and see how the idea of beauty has changed through time. This was nominated as Most Creative Video by the 2007 YouTube Awards. If you were wondering, the music is Bach’s Sarabande from Suite for Solo Chello, No. 1 in G Major, performed by world renowned japanese cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

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