These two poems are based in the 17th and the 20th century, the Demon Lover being the older one. Both of the following poems include differences and similarities. I will be explaining about both and conclude if the poems are more different or similar then one another.
The main similarities in the two poems are that both of the scenes are set at sea and conclude in death. They both also have the point of showing human greed because in the ballad the Demon is tempting the woman. The things she said "and what have you to keep me with." In the Hardy poem it's explaining about how the humans were showing off with all their jewellery and this gallant ship full of riches.
In addition the words used would be old language e.g. the word "vaingloriousness" wouldn't be used that often same goes for the word "thee" mentioned in the ballad. Another point is the writing styles of the writers are the same, in the way of the point they are getting across, they are finishing the poem while showing hints of an accident which leads to death for example in the ballad the demon kills the lady whereas the Hardy poem is ending in the spinners choice.
Now, concluding the similarities the actual structure of the poem is quite simil.iar because in almost every verse they have rhyme and a beat to the poem.
On the other hand the rhythm in the Demon Lover is on an even number of lines, 1 and 2, while the Hardy poem follows the odd pattern of 1 and 3. This could be because all Ballads are meant to be sung and this might be the way they are written like the rule of a ballad. And you can tell that the ballad is meant to be a song from the way the first paragraph is written. "Where have you been my long lost love these seven long years and more." The Convergence of the Twain is told to you like a thrilling poem about facts.
As well as that in the ballad the language is simpler and easier to understand. The time these poems were written at also differ. In the Hardy poem it is clear that the language was written at different times.
To finish of the differences, the structures of the paragraphs are different. First, the obvious, the ballad has four lines and the other has three. In the Hardy poem the lines can be said at a different speed because the last line is longer but that may also have something to do with the shape because if you turn the poem upside down and draw an outline around the words you will see a shape of a ship forming.
To conclude there are many differences and similarities. We learn that the poems are based on different things but have striking similarities. So my over all conclusion is that these poems have a more different feel to each other.
