Figurative Language
True or false: the below line is a personification:
"Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do"
What is true!
What is the rhyme scheme of the first two stanzas?
I scarce believe my love to be so pure
As I had thought it was,
Because it doth endure
Vicissitude, and season, as the grass;
Methinks I lied all winter, when I swore
My love was infinite, if spring make’ it more.
But if medicine, love, which cures all sorrow
With more, not only be no quintessence,
But mixed of all stuffs paining soul or sense,
And of the sun his working vigor borrow,
Love’s not so pure, and abstract, as they use
To say, which have no mistress but their muse,
But as all else, being elemented too,
Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do.
What is ABABCC DEEDFFGG!
What is the central theme of the first two stanzas?
What is love is impure!
Analyze the below stanza:
"I scarce believe my love to be so pure
As I had thought it was,
Because it doth endure
Vicissitude, and season, as the grass;
Methinks I lied all winter, when I swore
My love was infinite, if spring make' it more."
What is The speaker doesn't think that their love is pure anymore because it has gone through and endured things like seasonal changes and unpleasant alterations or obstacles- in other words, their love became "mixed." They also think that their love can't be infinite because their love grows like the way winter turns into spring, and since infinity can't grow, their love isn't infinite!
Who is the author of this poem?
What is John Donne!
What is the figurative language of these lines:
"But if medicine, love, which cures all sorrow With more"
What is Paradox!
What are the two stanzas forms in this poem?
What is Sestet and Octave!
Why does Donne say he doesn’t believe love is pure anymore in the first stanza?
What is love can endure changes showing that it is made up of various experiences throughout a relationship!
Analyze the stanza below:
"But if medicine, love, which cures all sorrow
With more, not only be quintessence,
But mixed of all stuffs paining soul or sense,
And of the sun his working vigor borrow,
Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use
To say, which have no mistress but their muse.
But as all else, being elemented too,
Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do."
What is: Love is the medicine that cures all sorrow with more sorrow. But even medicine isn't of pure and perfect quality, and love is like that. Love contains all the experiences and memories, whether good or bad, and it is not a pure essence that has the power to cure. Therefore, love even causes pain to the soul and senses. Love also gains power from the sun in terms of restoration power and relationship strength. Love is not as pure as people think, especially people who've never experienced love, love is made up of different elements, whether spiritual or physical, which is why it sometimes contemplates (passive) and acts (active)!
What does the word "Vicissitude" mean?
What is unwelcome changes!
What is the figurative language of this line:
"Gentle love deeds, as blossoms on a bough"
What is Simile!
What is the sound device used in this line:
"Gentle love deeds, as blossoms on a bough"
What is Assonance!
Why does Donne say that love is not so pure and abstract as people usually think it to be?
What is Love is not of perfect quality, but rather mixed of things paining soul or sense!
Analyze the stanza below:
"And yet no greater, but more eminent,
Love by the spring is grown;
As, in the firmament,
Stars by the sun are not enlarged, but shown,
Gentle love deeds, as blossoms on a bough,
From Love's awakened roots do bud out now."
What is: Instead of growing in size, the poet's love becomes more "eminent," which perhaps could be interpreted as more prominent by the spring. As in heaven, the poet compared this to how the sun's light reflects off of the stars, revealing them as brighter rather than larger. The poet then suggests that just as trees blossom in the spring, love can also awaken with warmth and fresh energy. Spring in this stanza could symbolize a time of new beginning, bringing back the vitality of life in nature and the renewal of deeper desires!
What does "Quintessence" mean?
What is perfect quality!
What is the extended metaphor in the last stanza?
If, as water stirred more circles be
Produced by one, love such additions take,
Those, like so many spheres, but one heaven make,
For they are all concentric unto thee;
And though each spring do add to love new heat,
As princes do in time of action get
New taxes, and remit them not in peace,
No winter shall abate the spring’s increase.
What is love is being compared to taxation!
What is the sound device used in this line:
"But if medicine, love, which cures all sorrow
With more, not only be no quintessence,"
What is Caesura!
The speaker acknowledges that love grows in this particular way, not in greatness but in prominence.
What is becoming more eminent
Analyze the below stanza:
"If, as water stirred more circles be
Produced by one, love such additions take,
Those, like so many spheres, but one heaven make,
For they are all concentric unto thee;
And thought each spring do add to love new heat,
As princes do in time of action get
New taxes, and remit them not in peace,
No winter shall abate the spring's increase."
What is: By stating that water stirred more circles and comparing love to water, it shows that love expands outwards. The spheres symbolize a series of globes revolving around his passion, which, is inferred to as "thee." Through this, we can tell that she's the center of his love, around which everything else revolves. The poet compares love to spring, saying that each spring brings new warmth to love, just as rulers collect taxes and don't remove them in times of peace. In the same way, love continues to grow, and no "winter" or hardships can lessen the energy and growth that love brings. Essentially, love will keep renewing itself and won't be diminished by difficulties!
True or false: John Donne is Anti-Catholic during the Anti-Catholic period.
What is False!
What is the figurative language of these two lines:
"My love was infinite, if spring make' it more"
"No winter shall abate the spring's increase."
What is Symbolism!
What Meter does this poem follow? (hint: two words!)
What is Iambic Pentameter!
What is the central theme of this poem?
What is only love that is impure is able to grow and develop!
What is the conceit of this poem in general?
What is love is being compared to a plant growing!
OR
What is love’s growth is being compared to changing seasons (spring)
OR
What is love is being compared to heaven/celestial concepts!
What type of Poetry is John Donne most known for?
What is Metaphysical Poetry!