Final answer:
The question pertains to English poetry, exploring the variety of poetic elements that convey the universal yet subjective nature of beauty, as well as its deeper transcendent experience. Imagery, metaphor, and comparisons across different poems highlight the multi-faceted perspectives on beauty, encompassing both material brilliance and natural allure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question primarily deals with various poetic elements through a deep analysis of metaphorical language, subjective interpretations of beauty, and comparisons. The extracts provided present vivid imagery and metaphors such as the brightness of gold, the flames dressing the world, and celestial beauty. These poetic devices are used to express the complex themes of beauty being subjective yet universally recognized; material objects and nature can evoke a deeper understanding; and the transcendent experience of beauty that engages both the soul and mind.
The inclusion of a quote from the 14th century traveler Ibn Battuta emphasizes workmanship and material brilliance, while Plato's philosophy discusses beauty as an ecstatic, transcendent experience in relation to one's soul. Poems use imagery such as a candlelit room, yellow roses, and a glowing helmet to describe beauty in distinctive and sometimes contrasting ways, reflecting the universal yet personal nature of beauty.
The poets also explore notions of fame, pride, and the natural world's contribution to beauty, suggesting that both humans and nature possess the ability to create beauty. The excerpts challenge the reader to see beauty not only in joyous or benign things but also in those that are harmful or destructive, thus encapsulating the complexity and subjectivity of the concept of beauty.