Carol Ann Duffy explores different types of relationships in ‘Valentine’ and ‘Before you were mine’

The title of the poem ‘Valentine’ written by Carol Ann Duffy is very misleading. One would expect to read romantic love, instead she writes about cynical love. She has obviously been hurt in previous relationships.
The poem starts off with a positive statement-‘Not a red rose, or a satin heart’. She states that she will not give her lover a conventional valentine present. The harsh consonants give a feeling of harshness.
The poet has chosen to give her lover an onion. She uses the onion to symbolize love. Like a person we never really know what a person is really intending. She uses a metaphor to convey this idea. ‘I give you an onion, it is moon wrapped in brown paper,’-With this creates an air of mystery is created. ‘It promises light, like the careful undressing of love.’- A feeling of sensuality is created with the use of the repetition of the ‘l’ sound.
The use of the word ‘Here’ makes the reader feel that the poet is in control. She continues with the e...