Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Why is this poem so short? Would it be better if it were longer? Why or why not? And how does this poem accomplish such a big task in so few lines?
- Why does Cornford use so much figurative language in the poem? How would the poem be different without it?
- What does the rhyme do for this poem? Is the rhyme connected in some way with the poem's content?
- Imagine the musician was tuning a violin, a cello, or an upright bass. In what ways would changing the instrument change the poem, if at all? Is the guitar the best choice? Why or why not?
- The poem's title suggests that the guitarist hasn't started playing music yet. He's just tuning up. From a figurative perspective, what is the significance of the fact that the guitarist is just tuning up? How does the act of tuning up relate to the situation between the lovers? Why not write a poem about a guy playing his guitar?