1) Red Red Rose

This poem which was written by Robert Burns is a poem that expresses
platonic love. This is because the poet expresses his love for the lady in
several stanzas, and he uses hyperbolic comparisons and vivid similes in
doing so. This helps him portray a love that is beyond measure. For example,
in the first stanza, he presents two similes: the first one compares his love to
a rose and the second compares it to a melody, which are both non-sexual,
yet platonic and beautiful connotations for love. Interestingly, he also uses
the phrase My Luves like as a repetition to echo is feelings through lines 1
and 3. In the second stanza, we see that he uses the adjective bonnie,
meaning, pretty, to address the young lady. This word is also non-sexual,
yet platonic, originating from the French word bon, meaning good. A
hyperbole (which is a figure of speech that shows exaggeration) is shown in
the fourth stanza, where the speaker talks to his beloved young lady telling
her that he has to leave for some time but will return to her Tho twere ten
thousand mile, with repetition in the first and second lines fare-thee-weel,
which means fare theee well. With these styles, choice of words and
expressions by the speaker, we see an absence of sexual connotations yet a
vivid presence of descriptions of authentic, platonic love.
2) Marriage Morning
This poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson is more about platonic love as well and
not about sexual love, since it revolves around the mixed feelings of joy and
anxiety that surround marriage. The poet talks about the golden close of
love, and also thorns and biers, which were mentioned more than once,
which indicate that marriage has beautiful moments and also challenges that
come by, yet also marriage a light, which is love, and it is so strong it calls to
him, since even if it is low, it sends a flash to the sun. This is why he asks
that this love should lighten into my eyes and my heart,/Into my heart and
my blood!. Afterall, it is this love which will help the marriage to succeed

and overcome the obstalces: In the end, the light will help the couple
overstep whatever thorns, briers, meadows or stiles stand in their way.
Finally, the poet questions the heart if it is ready for a love that is so strong it
never gets tired Heart, are you great enough For a love that never tires? O
heart, are you great enough for love? These questions and expressions
indicate that the author is questioning the readiness of the heart and mind to
handle a strong, passionate love that surely tends more towards being
platonic, not sexual.