The Good Morrow

 

The Good Morrow

1.  To what does “seven sleepers’ den” refer?
It refers to a legend about seven young men who slept in a cave for centuries, symbolizing a long, deep sleep.

Metaphor-He is a tiger. Conceit -He is a tiger which first chases (ধাওয়া করা) the prey (শিকার) and then hunt (শিকার করা) it.

 

2.  What is conceit?
Conceit is an extended (বর্ধিত) metaphor comparing two very different things.

3.  What is metaphysical conceit?
It is a complex and intellectual metaphor used in metaphysical poetry to connect abstract ideas with concrete images.

(জন ডান, এন্ড্রু মারভেল, হেনরি ভন)

দেহ/ আকার –ফিজিক

আত্মা, ভালোবাসা- abstract ideas

4.  What is dramatic monologue?
A dramatic monologue is a poem where a single speaker reveals their thoughts and emotions to a silent audience.

 

5.  What is allusion?
Allusion is a reference to another work, event, or figure, often without directly mentioning it.

 

যদি টাইম মেশিন পেতাম-

 

6.  What does the “Sharp north” symbolize?
The "Sharp north" symbolizes coldness, hardship, or emotional distance.

Short Questions

1.  What is conceit? Give examples from The Good Morrow.

Answer- A conceit is a type of metaphor that makes a surprising or unusual comparison between two very different things. It is often used in metaphysical poetry to show clever ideas and complex thoughts. In John Donne’s The Good-Morrow, there are several examples of conceits that connect love with new ideas.

One example is when Donne compares his and his lover’s souls to two halves of a single world. He says, "If our two loves be one, or thou and I / Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die." This conceit suggests that their love is so strong and equal that it creates a perfect balance, like two halves forming a whole.

Another example is when Donne compares their love to explorers discovering new worlds. He writes, "Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone," showing how love can open up new, exciting experiences.

2.  What are the features of metaphysical poetry? Answer referring The Good Morrow.

Metaphysical poetry has some unique features that make it different from other types of poetry. These poems often deal with deep ideas like love, life, and the soul. The poets use clever comparisons, called conceits, and create intellectual arguments. John Donne’s The Good-Morrow shows these features clearly.

One feature is the use of conceits, where Donne compares love to new worlds or to two halves of a whole. This makes the poem more thoughtful and imaginative.

Another feature is the focus on both the physical and spiritual aspects of love. In The Good-Morrow, Donne talks about how love has grown from simple attraction to a deep connection of the soul.

The poem also uses philosophical ideas, asking questions like what life was like before they fell in love. These deep thoughts and clever comparisons are typical of metaphysical poetry, as seen in The Good-Morrow.

 

Broad Questions

1. What features of metaphysical poetry do you find in The Good-Morrow"? / Or, What metaphysical qualities do you find in the poem "The Good Morrow"?

1. Metaphysical Features in "The Good-Morrow"

John Donne’s poem The Good-Morrow is an excellent example of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry often deals with deep subjects like love, life, and the nature of the universe, using intellectual arguments, imagery, and a conversational tone. Here are some features of metaphysical poetry found in the poem:

1. Intellectual Arguments (Conceits):
In The Good-Morrow, Donne presents love as a powerful intellectual connection. He compares his and his beloved’s love to explorers discovering new worlds, a metaphysical conceit (an extended metaphor) where their love is seen as something vast and undiscovered, just like new lands. For example, in the lines, "Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone," Donne compares their love to explorers finding new places, suggesting that their love is unique and boundless.

2. Exploration of the Soul and Body:
Metaphysical poetry often explores the relationship between the physical and spiritual world. In the poem, Donne talks about how the love between him and his beloved has evolved from a physical attraction to a deep, soulful connection. He mentions that their love has "awakened" their souls, implying that true love goes beyond physical attraction and touches the soul.

 

3. Use of Paradoxes:
A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. In The Good-Morrow, Donne uses paradoxes to express the completeness of their love. He suggests that two separate people can become one through love. For example, he writes, "If our two loves be one, or, thou and I / Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die." This idea of two becoming one is a paradox, but it reveals the strength and unity of their love.

4. Philosophical Themes:
The poem touches on philosophical themes like the nature of love and existence. Donne questions what life was like before they fell in love and suggests that their past experiences were meaningless compared to their present connection. This kind of philosophical questioning is typical in metaphysical poetry, as the poet tries to understand deep truths about life and love.

In summary, The Good-Morrow contains intellectual arguments, explores the relationship between body and soul, uses paradoxes, and discusses deep philosophical ideas, all of which are common features of metaphysical poetry.

2. What are the different stages of love that you find in The Good-Morrow? / How does John Donne treat love in his poem The Good Morrow?

 

Answer-Stages of Love in "The Good-Morrow"

In The Good-Morrow, John Donne describes different stages of love, showing how love matures and deepens over time. The poem takes the reader through the journey of love from physical attraction to a spiritual connection, presenting love in a complex and philosophical way.

1. Pre-Love Stage:
At the beginning of the poem, Donne reflects on life before true love. He calls this stage a time of ignorance, where he and his beloved were like children playing. He suggests that before finding real love, they were only focused on physical pleasures, saying, "I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I / Did, till we loved?" This stage represents the time when love was shallow and based only on outward attraction.

2. Awakening to True Love:
In the second stage, Donne describes how love has "awakened" them, like waking up from a deep sleep. Their love has moved beyond physical attraction, and now it includes the soul and mind. He suggests that true love makes them feel fully alive and aware, saying, "But sucked on country pleasures, childishly? / Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers' den?" This stage is about realizing that love is not just about physical connection but also about emotional and spiritual bonding.

3. Unity and Completeness in Love:
In the final stage, Donne expresses that their love has reached a point where it is perfect and complete. He uses metaphors to show how they have become two halves of one whole, saying, "If our two loves be one, or, thou and I / Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die." This stage represents a love that is balanced, where both partners are equal and their love is everlasting. Their love is not affected by the outside world; it exists in its own universe.

Conclusion:
Donne's treatment of love in The Good-Morrow shows how love can grow and evolve. It moves from a childish, physical attraction to a deeper, soulful connection that brings completeness and unity. The poem suggests that true love transcends the physical world and becomes something eternal and spiritual.

 

To Daffodils

1.  What is personification?
Personification is giving human qualities to non-human things.

2.  What is the central idea of To Daffodils?
The poem reflects on the shortness of life, comparing it to the brief life of daffodils.

3.  What is the tone of the poem To Daffodils?
The tone is mournful and reflective.

4.  Why does Robert Herrick weep to see the daffodils?
He weeps because their short life reminds him of the fleeting nature of human life.

5.  How does a human being disappear from the earth?
Like daffodils, humans live briefly and then fade away with time.

Short Questions

1.  Why does Herrick weep to see the daffodils? Or, What makes Robert Herrick weep?

Herrick weeps when he sees the daffodils because they remind him of how quickly life passes. The daffodils bloom beautifully, but they only last for a short time before they wither and die. This makes Herrick think about how human life is similar. Just like the daffodils, people live for a short time and then grow old and pass away.

Herrick feels sad because the daffodils' short life reflects the shortness of human life. He writes, "We have short time to stay, as you, / We have as short a spring." This shows that he is comparing the daffodils’ brief life to the shortness of youth and life in general. The poem makes Herrick realize that everything in life is temporary, and this thought makes him weep.

 

 

1. Background, Summary, Themes, Messages and Speciality of To Daffodils by Robert Herrick. 

 

Background

"To Daffodils" is a poem by Robert Herrick, an English poet who lived in the 17th century. Herrick was part of a group of poets known as the Cavalier poets, who were supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War. Herrick's poetry often reflects themes of nature, love, and the fleeting nature of life. "To Daffodils" is one of his many poems that focus on nature and its deeper meanings.

 

Summary

In "To Daffodils," Herrick addresses the daffodils, a type of flower known for its bright yellow color and early spring bloom. The poet observes how quickly the daffodils bloom and then wither away. He compares the short life of the daffodils to the short span of human life. Herrick expresses a sense of sadness about how both the flowers and human lives end too soon. The poem is a reflection on the transient beauty of nature and life.

 

Themes

Transience of Life: The main theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of life. Herrick uses the short life of daffodils as a metaphor for the brevity of human existence.

 

Beauty and Ephemerality: The poem also explores how beauty is temporary. The daffodils are beautiful but their beauty does not last long, just like many beautiful moments in life.

Nature and Mortality: Herrick draws a parallel between the natural world and human life, suggesting that both are subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, and decay.

 

Messages

Appreciate the Present: Herrick encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and joy of the present moment because it will not last forever.

 

Inevitability of Death: The poem gently reminds readers of the inevitability of death. Just as the daffodils cannot escape withering, humans cannot escape mortality.

 

Embrace Life's Fleeting Moments: The poet suggests embracing life's fleeting moments of beauty and happiness, knowing they are temporary.

 

Speciality

"To Daffodils" is special for several reasons:

 

Simple Yet Profound: The poem uses simple, clear language to convey deep philosophical ideas about life and death.

 

Imagery and Symbolism: Herrick's use of the daffodils as a symbol is powerful. The flower represents not just natural beauty, but the transient nature of all beautiful things.

 

Elegance in Brevity: The poem is short, yet it captures a wide range of emotions and thoughts, making it a perfect example of how less can be more in poetry.

 

Connection with Nature: Herrick's work often celebrates the natural world. In this poem, he connects human emotions and experiences with the life cycle of a simple flower, making it relatable and poignant.

 

In conclusion, "To Daffodils" by Robert Herrick is a beautiful poem that uses the imagery of flowers to remind us of the brief and precious nature of life. It encourages us to appreciate the present and to understand the natural cycle of life and death.

 

Broad Questions

 

2. How does Robert Herrick compare human life with that of daffodils?

Or, How does Robert Herrick develop the theme of transitoriness of human life on earth? Explain. 

or, How does Robert Herrick develop the theme of transitoriness in the poem "To Daffodils"? 

 

Development of the Theme of Transitoriness in "To Daffodils" by Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick's poem "To Daffodils" beautifully explores the theme of the transitoriness, or fleeting nature, of human life. He develops this theme through various poetic techniques and comparisons that are easy to understand.

 

Comparison with Daffodils

Herrick begins by directly addressing the daffodils, noting their short lifespan. Daffodils bloom brightly but wither quickly. By comparing the daffodils to human life, he suggests that our lives are similarly brief and beautiful but soon come to an end. This comparison helps readers easily grasp the idea that life, like the flowers, is transient.

 

Imagery

Herrick uses vivid imagery to describe the daffodils. He writes about their early blooming and quick fading, which paints a clear picture in the reader's mind. When he says, "We have short time to stay, as you," he creates a strong visual connection between the flowers' short existence and our own.

 

Direct Address

By speaking directly to the daffodils, Herrick makes the poem feel personal and immediate. This technique draws readers in, making them feel as if they are part of a conversation about life and its temporary nature. It emphasizes the shared fate of both humans and flowers, making the theme more relatable.

 

Reflection on Time

Herrick reflects on the passage of time by mentioning how quickly the seasons change. Spring, when daffodils bloom, represents youth and life. But just as spring gives way to summer and then to autumn, life also moves quickly toward its end. This reflection helps reinforce the idea that time is always moving forward, and our moments of beauty and life are brief.

 

Use of Simple Language

The language Herrick uses is simple and straightforward. He doesn't use complicated words or phrases, which makes the poem accessible to everyone. This simplicity helps to convey his message clearly: that life is short, and we must cherish it while we can.

 

Emotional Tone

The tone of the poem is gently melancholic. Herrick expresses a sense of sadness about the brevity of life, but he also seems to accept it as a natural part of existence. This tone helps readers feel the weight of his message without being overwhelmed by it.

 

Conclusion

In "To Daffodils," Robert Herrick develops the theme of transitoriness by comparing human life to the short-lived daffodils, using vivid imagery, direct address, reflections on time, simple language, and a gentle emotional tone. These techniques work together to create a powerful and relatable meditation on the fleeting nature of life, encouraging readers to appreciate their time on earth and the beauty around them.

 

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

1.  What does the word curfew mean in the poem?
In the poem, "curfew" refers to the evening bell signaling the end of the day.

2.  What is an epitaph?
An epitaph is an inscription on a tombstone or a short poem in memory of the dead.

3.  Who was Cromwell?
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader during the 17th century.

4.  The path of glory leads but to the grave—what does it mean?
It means that even the most glorious lives end in death.

5.  What does Gray mean by “inevitable hour”?
The "inevitable hour" refers to the moment of death, which comes to everyone.