'Match' Summary

A Match by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a dramatic monologue that explores the complexities of love, desire, and mortality. The speaker, a man deeply infatuated with a woman named Dolores, reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death. The poem is characterized by its passionate language, vivid imagery, and exploration of themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world marked by decay and impermanence. Swinburne’s characteristically rich and evocative style adds to the emotional intensity of the work, making it a powerful and enduring exploration of the human condition.