Recall
What does the speaker do when he is "weary with toil"?
The speaker goes to bed.
Explain the contrast between the speaker's physical and mental activity.
The speaker's body is exhausted and seeks rest, while his mind becomes actively engaged in thoughts of the beloved.
Imagine you are the speaker. Write a brief journal entry describing your feelings as you lie in bed.
Talk about feeling physically tired but being unable to sleep because of a vivid imagination.
Trace back to lines with the use of imagery in the sonnet, focusing on the contrast between light and darkness.
"My body aches, yet my mind races. I see her face in the darkness, a bright jewel against the night. I long for her presence, but find only restless thoughts."
To what extent is the speaker's mental "journey" a form of escape or a form of suffering?
The contrast between darkness (physical isolation) and light (the beloved's image) highlights the speaker's internal struggle and the power of memory to transcend physical limitations.
According to the sonnet, what begins when the body's work is finished?
A mental journey begins.
Summarize the "journey" that the speaker's mind takes.
The speaker's mind travels to the beloved, fueled by longing.
If you were to illustrate this sonnet, what visual elements would you use to represent the speaker's mental journey?
Emphasize the light imagery to symbolize the dreaming aspect of his journey and represent a long journey toward his lover.
How does the sonnet's structure (quatrains and couplet) contribute to the development of the speaker's thoughts?
A dark background with a single, bright, jewel-like light source in the center, and a faint, winding path leading toward it.
Is the sonnet effective in conveying the speaker's emotional state? Why or why not?
The quatrains build the speaker’s state, and the couplet provides a concluding summary of the speakers conflict.
What does the speaker's soul present to his "sightless view"?
The beloved's shadow.
What does the phrase "a zealous pilgrimage to thee" suggest about the speaker's feelings?
It suggests intense devotion and a deep, passionate desire to be with the beloved.
How might a reader relate to the speaker's experience of sleeplessness and longing?
It suggests intense devotion and a deep, passionate desire to be with the beloved.
What is the significance of the speaker's "sightless view" in relation to his "soul's imaginary sight"?
A reader might relate to the feeling of being unable to disconnect from thoughts of a loved one, or from the constant stimulation of technology, which creates the same feelings of unrest.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the metaphor of the "jewel" in representing the beloved.
"jewel" represents the speaker's yearn for his lover and the way it shines in the night shows how his love for her illuminates his mind.
What metaphor is used to describe the image of the beloved in the darkness?
A jewel hung in ghastly night.
How does the image of the "jewel hung in ghastly night" contribute to the meaning of the poem?
It emphasizes the beloved's preciousness and the way their memory illuminates the speaker's emotional darkness.
Apply the concept of "mental pilgrimage" to a situation where someone is thinking deeply about a goal.
It emphasizes the beloved's preciousness and the way their memory illuminates the speaker's emotional darkness.
Compare and contrast the speaker's physical weariness with his mental activity.
A student preparing for a major exam might engage in a "mental pilgrimage" by visualizing themselves successfully answering each question, and mentally reviewing key concepts.
Does the sonnet successfully portray the universal experience of longing? Justify your answer.
Physical weariness is a state of exhaustion, while mental activity is a state of restless longing, creating a contrast between the body and mind.
Who is the person that the author speaks of and why does he speak of them so passionately?
The speaker is in love with this person.
What is the meaning of the phrase "looking on darkness which the blind do see"?
It refers to the experience of closed-eye darkness, highlighting the speaker's internal vision.
If this sonnet was to be turned into a short modern song, what kind of musical style would best reflect the feelings in the poem?
It refers to the experience of closed-eye darkness, highlighting the speaker's internal vision.
What is the role of the person that the speaker is longing for, and how does that role, effect the speakers mental state.
A slow, melancholic indie folk song with a focus on introspective lyrics would fit the mood.
Which lines in the sonnet do you think are the most powerful, and why?
The beloved is the object of the speaker's desire, and their memory provides a mental escape, yet the longing also fuels the speaker's restlessness.