Go and catch a falling star by John Donne | Go and catch a falling star | John Donne | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Go and catch a falling star
Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me where all past years are,
Or who cleft the devil’s foot,
Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy’s stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
If thou be’st born to strange sights,
Things invisible to see,
Ride ten thousand days and nights,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou return’st, wilt tell me,
All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear,
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.
If thou find’st one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet do not, I would not go,
Though at next door we might meet;
Though she were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two, or three.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
First Stanza
Line 1: Go and catch a falling star,
Explanation: This line is a hyperbolic statement that is meant to be impossible. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is physically impossible, in order to prove that something else is impossible.
Line 2: Get with child a mandrake root,
Explanation: The mandrake root is a plant that was once believed to have magical powers. It was thought to be able to bring people back from the dead and to make women pregnant. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is both impossible and magical.
Line 3: Tell me where all past years are,
Explanation: Time is something that is constantly moving forward. It is impossible to go back in time, and it is impossible to know where all of the past years have gone. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is both impossible and unknowable.
Line 4: Or who cleft the devil’s foot,
Explanation: The devil is a figure from Christian mythology who is said to be the enemy of God. The idea that someone could cleft the devil’s foot is absurd, and the speaker is using this line to further emphasize the absurdity of their challenge.
Line 5: Teach me to hear mermaids singing,
Explanation: Mermaids are mythical creatures that are said to have the body of a fish and the head and torso of a human. They are also said to have beautiful voices that can lure sailors to their deaths. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is both impossible and dangerous.
Line 6: Or to keep off envy’s stinging,
Explanation: Envy is a negative emotion that is often associated with jealousy and resentment. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is both difficult and noble.
Line 7: And find What wind Serves to advance an honest mind.
Explanation: An honest mind is a mind that is free from deceit and trickery. The speaker is challenging the listener to find something that is both rare and valuable.
Second Stanza
Line 1: If thou be’st born to strange sights,
Explanation: This line suggests that the listener is someone who is destined to experience strange and unusual things. The speaker is using this line to set up the next challenge.
Line 2: Things invisible to see,
Explanation: This line refers to things that are beyond the realm of human perception. The speaker is challenging the listener to do something that is both impossible and unknowable.
Line 3: Ride ten thousand days and nights,
Explanation: The speaker is asking the listener to take a long and arduous journey, lasting ten thousand days and nights. This is an impossible task, and the speaker is using it to emphasize the difficulty of finding a true and faithful lover.
Line 4: Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that the listener should continue their journey until they are old and grey. This suggests that finding a true and faithful lover is a lifelong quest.
Line 5: Thou, when thou return’st, wilt tell me,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that the listener should return to them after their long journey and tell them about all the strange things they have seen. This suggests that the speaker is curious about the world, but they are also afraid to leave the safety of their home.
Line 6: All strange wonders that befell thee,
Explanation: The speaker is asking the listener to tell them about all the strange and wonderful things they have seen on their journey. This suggests that the speaker is fascinated by the unknown, but they are also afraid of it.
Line 7: And swear, No where Lives a woman true, and fair.
Explanation: The speaker is asking the listener to swear that they have not found a true and faithful lover anywhere in the world. This suggests that the speaker has given up on the idea of finding love, and they believe that all women are liars and cheats.
Third Stanza
Line 1: If thou find’st one, let me know,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that if the listener is able to find a true and faithful lover, they should let them know. This suggests that the speaker is still hoping to find love, but they are not confident that it is possible.
Line 2: Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Explanation: The speaker is saying that a journey to find a true and faithful lover would be a sweet and rewarding experience. This suggests that the speaker believes that love is worth the effort, even if it is difficult to find.
Line 3: Yet do not, I would not go,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that they would not go on such a journey themselves, even if they knew that they would find a true and faithful lover. This suggests that the speaker is afraid of love, and they are not willing to risk getting hurt.
Line 4: Though at next door we might meet;
Explanation: The speaker is saying that even if a true and faithful lover lived right next door, they would not go out of their way to meet them. This suggests that the speaker is very resistant to the idea of love.
Line 5: Though she were true, when you met her,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that even if they were to meet a true and faithful lover, they would not believe that she was sincere. This suggests that the speaker has been hurt in the past, and they are now very cynical about love.
Line 6: And last, till you write your letter,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that even if a true and faithful lover remained sincere until they wrote a letter to the speaker, the speaker would not believe that she was still true. This suggests that the speaker is very paranoid and suspicious of others.
Line 7: Yet she Will be False, ere I come, to two, or three.
Explanation: The speaker is saying that even if a true and faithful lover were to remain sincere until the speaker arrived, she would have already been unfaithful to two or three other people. This suggests that the speaker believes that all women are inherently unfaithful.
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | अर्थ |
| Stanza 1 | |||
| 1 | Catch | To seize or grasp | पकड़ना |
| 1 | Falling star | A meteor | गिरता हुआ तारा |
| 2 | Get with child | To become pregnant | गर्भवती होना |
| 2 | Mandrake root | The root of a plant that was once believed to have magical powers | मांड्रेक की जड़ |
| 3 | Past years | Years that have already passed | बीते साल |
| 4 | Cleft | To split or divide | काटना |
| 5 | mermaids | a woman who has the tail of a fish instead of legs and who lives in the sea | जलपरी |
| 6 | Keep off | To avoid or prevent something | बचाना |
| 6 | Envy’s stinging | The pain of envy | ईर्ष्या के डंक |
| 7 | Wind | A current of air | हवा |
| 7 | Serves to advance | Helps to improve or progress | सुधारने या प्रगति करने में मदद करता है |
| 7 | Honest mind | A mind that is free from deceit and trickery | ईमानदार दिमाग |
| Stanza 2 | |||
| 1 | thou | archaic or dialect form of you | तुम |
| 1 | be’st | best | श्रेष्ठ |
| 2 | invisible | hidden | अदृश्य |
| 3 | Ride | To travel on horseback or in a vehicle | घोड़े पर या वाहन में सवार होना |
| 4 | Age snow white hairs on thee | To become old and grey | उम्र के हिसाब से आपके बालों को सफेद कर देती है |
| 4 | thee | archaic or dialect form of you | तुमको |
| 5 | Thou | An archaic form of the second-person singular pronoun | तुम |
| 5 | When thou return’st | When you return | जब तुम वापस आओगे |
| 5 | Wilt tell | Will tell | बताओगे |
| 6 | Strange | Unusual or unfamiliar | अजीब |
| 6 | Wonders | Things that cause amazement or surprise | चमत्कार |
| 6 | Befell | Happened to | हुआ |
| 7 | Swear | To make a solemn promise | कसम खाओ |
| 7 | No where | Nowhere | कहीं नहीं |
| 7 | Fair | Beautiful and attractive | सुंदर |
| Stanza 3 | |||
| 1 | If thou find’st | If you find | यदि तुम पाते हो |
| 1 | Let me know | Inform me | मुझे बताओ |
| 2 | Pilgrimage | A journey to a holy place for religious purposes | तीर्थयात्रा |
| 2 | Sweet | Pleasant or agreeable | मधुर |
| 3 | Yet do not | However, do not | फिर भी नहीं |
| 4 | Though | Even | हालांकि |
| 5 | true | sincere | सच्ची |
| 6 | And last | And finally | और आखिर |
| 7 | Yet | Nevertheless | फिर भी |
| 7 | Ere I come | Before I arrive | इससे पहले कि मैं आऊँ |
Summary
“Go and catch a falling star” is a poem by John Donne, a metaphysical poet of the 17th century. It was first published in 1633, two years after Donne’s death, in a collection titled “Songs and Sonnets.” The poem is known for its wit, clever use of imagery, and exploration of themes such as love, skepticism, and the elusive nature of truth.
In John Donne’s poem “Go and Catch a Falling Star,” the speaker poses a series of challenges to the listener, asking them to perform impossible tasks in order to prove that someone can be truly faithful. The speaker’s tone is one of skepticism and pessimism, suggesting that they believe that true love and fidelity are unattainable.
The poem’s first stanza challenges the listener to catch a falling star, get with child a mandrake root, find out where all past years are, and discover who cleft the devil’s foot. These tasks are all clearly impossible, and the speaker’s use of hyperbole suggests that they believe that finding a true and faithful lover is equally impossible.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker asking the listener to ride for ten thousand days and nights until age snows white hairs on them. The speaker suggests that even if the listener were to embark on such a long and arduous journey, they would still not be able to find a true and faithful lover.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close with the speaker’s declaration that even if they were to find a true and faithful lover, they would not want to go anywhere near them. The speaker’s reason for this is that they believe that the lover would become false before they even had a chance to meet them.
Overall, “Go and Catch a Falling Star” is a poem that explores the themes of love, fidelity, and trust. The speaker’s cynical and pessimistic tone suggests that they believe that true love is unattainable, and that even if it were to exist, it would not last. The poem’s use of hyperbole and imagery reinforces this message, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Key Points
Author The poem is written by John Donne, an English metaphysical poet, and Christian cleric.
Form The poem “Go and catch a falling star” by John Donne is a lyric poem. It consists of three stanzas, each containing nine lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCCDDD. This pattern is followed in each of the three stanzas of the poem. The form and structure of the poem contribute to its rhythmic quality and musicality. The use of rhyme and rhythm enhances the poem’s lyrical quality, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader.
Speaker The speaker in the poem is the poet himself, John Donne.
Setting The setting of the poem is not explicitly mentioned, but it revolves around the speaker’s musings on the nature of women’s fidelity.
Theme The main themes of the poem are love, infidelity, and the impossibility of finding a faithful woman.
Plot The poem begins with the speaker issuing a series of impossible commands, such as catching a falling star or finding a true and fair woman. He then muses on the nature of women’s fidelity, suggesting that it is as elusive and fleeting as a falling star.
Tone The tone of the poem is cynical and bitter, reflecting the speaker’s disillusionment with love.
Style Donne’s style is characterized by abrupt openings, various paradoxes, ironies, and dislocations. These features, along with his frequent dramatic or everyday speech rhythms, his tense syntax, and his tough eloquence, were both a reaction against the smoothness of conventional Elizabethan poetry and an adaptation into English of European baroque and mannerist techniques.
Message The message of the poem is that finding a faithful woman is as impossible as catching a falling star. The speaker suggests that women’s fidelity is elusive and fleeting, much like a falling star.
John Donne
Birth and Early Life: John Donne was born in 1572 in London, England. He was the third of six children..
Education: Donne was educated at home by private tutors until he went to Hart Hall, Oxford, at age 11. He left Oxford after three years.
Marriage: In 1601, Donne secretly married Anne More, with whom he had twelve children.
Works: Donne is known for his metaphysical poetry. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, and sermons.
Career: Donne began his career as a lawyer. He later became a cleric in the Church of England.
Death: Donne died on 31 March 1631.
Legacy: Despite his great education and poetic talents, Donne lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. He spent much of the late 16th and early 17th centuries writing letters of recommendation for patrons in hopes of securing employment, and his literary reputation remained in obscurity until 20th-century scholars rediscovered him.
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of the poem “Go and Catch a Falling Star”?
John Donne
What is the theme of the poem?
The main themes of the poem are love, infidelity, and the impossibility of finding a faithful woman.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDDD.
What does the speaker ask the reader to do in the first line of the poem?
The speaker asks the reader to “go and catch a falling star”.
What does the falling star symbolize in the poem?
The falling star symbolizes something rare and unattainable.
What does the speaker say about finding a faithful woman?
The speaker suggests that finding a faithful woman is as impossible as catching a falling star.
What does the speaker ask the reader to do if they find a faithful woman?
The speaker asks the reader to let him know.
What does the speaker say will happen before someone finds a faithful woman?
The speaker says that one could hear mermaids singing or discover a mandrake root before finding a faithful woman.
In the first stanza, what impossible tasks does the speaker mention?
Catching a falling star and getting a mandrake root with child.
What mythical creatures are mentioned in the poem?
Mermaids.
What is the significance of the line “Ride ten thousand days and nights” in the second stanza?
It emphasizes the vast and challenging nature of the journey.
What does the speaker expect the traveler to do upon returning?
Tell about all the strange wonders encountered.
In the third stanza, what does the speaker find sweet about the pilgrimage?
The potential to find a faithful woman.
What reluctance does the speaker express in the third stanza?
Reluctance to go on the pilgrimage, even if a faithful woman is nearby.
What does the speaker anticipate about the woman’s faithfulness in the third stanza?
He anticipates her eventual faithlessness.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone is skeptical and somewhat cynical.
What emotion does the speaker associate with envy in the first stanza?
Envy’s stinging.
What is the speaker’s view on the constancy of love in the poem?
The speaker is skeptical about the constancy of love.
What is the role of mandrake root in the first stanza?
It is mentioned as part of an impossible task, adding to the whimsical and fantastical nature of the poem.
What does the speaker ask to be taught in the first stanza?
To hear mermaids singing and to keep off envy’s stinging.
What does the speaker expect to find out in the first stanza regarding past years?
The location of past years.
What is the speaker’s attitude toward the possibility of finding a faithful woman in the poem?
The speaker is doubtful and cynical about finding a truly faithful woman.
What does the speaker instruct the addressee to do in the third stanza?
To let him know if they find a faithful woman.
What does the speaker say about the anticipated faithful woman in the third stanza?
She will eventually be false before the speaker arrives.
How does the speaker describe the journey in the second stanza?
As riding ten thousand days and nights.
What does the speaker ask to be taught in the first stanza regarding envy?
To keep off envy’s stinging.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the overall theme of the poem?
The overall theme of the poem is the impossibility of finding true and faithful love. The speaker uses a series of hyperbolic challenges and cynical statements to prove their point.
2. What is the significance of the title of the poem?
The title of the poem is a metaphor for the unattainability of the speaker’s desires. A falling star is something that is beautiful and fleeting, and it is impossible to catch. In the same way, the speaker believes that it is impossible to find a true and faithful lover.
3. How does the use of hyperbole in the poem help to convey the speaker’s message?
The use of hyperbole in the poem helps to create a sense of absurdity and impossibility. The speaker’s challenges, such as catching a falling star or getting with child a mandrake root, are clearly impossible tasks. This suggests that the speaker believes that finding a true and faithful lover is equally impossible.
4. What is the significance of the use of imagery in the poem?
The imagery in the poem is often dark and pessimistic. The speaker uses images of death, decay, and deception to reinforce their cynical view of love. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker asks the listener to tell them where all past years are, suggesting that time is lost and cannot be recovered.
5. How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different focus. The first stanza focuses on the impossibility of finding a true and faithful lover. The second stanza focuses on the length and difficulty of the quest for love. The third stanza focuses on the speaker’s own personal experiences and their belief that all women are liars and cheats.
6. What is the speaker’s tone in the poem?
The speaker’s tone in the poem is cynical and pessimistic. They seem to have given up on the idea of finding a true and faithful lover, and they are using hyperbolic challenges and cynical statements to prove their point.
7. What is the effect of the speaker’s repetition of the word “no” in the poem?
The speaker’s repetition of the word “no” in the poem helps to create a sense of negativity and despair. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker says, “Thou, when thou return’st, wilt tell me / All strange wonders that befell thee, / And swear, No where / Lives a woman true, and fair.” The repetition of the word “no” emphasizes the speaker’s belief that there are no true and faithful women in the world.
8. What is the effect of the speaker’s use of the word “yet” in the poem?
The speaker’s use of the word “yet” in the poem creates a sense of irony and futility. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker says, “Yet do not, I would not go, / Though at next door we might meet; / Though she were true, when you met her, / And last, till you write your letter, / Yet she / Will be False, ere I come, to two, or three.” The use of the word “yet” suggests that even if the speaker were to find a true and faithful lover, they would not believe them.
9. How does the poem end?
The poem ends with the speaker’s declaration that even if they were to find a true and faithful lover, they would not go anywhere near them. This suggests that the speaker has given up on love altogether, and they believe that it is better to be alone than to risk getting hurt.
10. What is the overall message of the poem?
The overall message of the poem is that love is hopeless and that all women are liars and cheats. This message is based on the speaker’s own personal experiences, and it is likely that they are projecting their own insecurities onto the world.
11. What is the significance of the setting of the poem?
The setting of the poem is not explicitly stated, but it is implied to be a dark and desolate place. This setting reinforces the speaker’s cynical and pessimistic view of the world.
12. What is the significance of the speaker’s use of the second-person singular pronoun “thou”?
The speaker’s use of the second-person singular pronoun “thou” creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy. It also suggests that the speaker is speaking to a specific individual, rather than to the world at large.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction
“Go and Catch a Falling Star” is a poem by John Donne, a prominent figure in the metaphysical poets of 17th century England. The poem is a lyrical and bitter verse where the speaker expresses his cynical view of women’s fidelity.
Theme and Imagery
The central theme of the poem is the impossibility of finding a woman who is truly faithful. Donne uses hyperbolic and fantastical imagery to illustrate this point. The ‘falling star’ in the poem symbolizes something that is rare and nearly impossible to catch, much like the poet’s view of a faithful woman.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDDD. This structure, along with the use of iambic tetrameter, gives the poem a rhythmic quality that enhances its lyrical nature.
Exploration of Cynicism
Donne’s exploration of cynicism is evident in the impossible tasks he sets for the reader. He equates finding a faithful woman to catching a falling star, hearing mermaids singing, and finding a mandrake root. These tasks are all fantastical and unattainable, mirroring the speaker’s belief about women’s fidelity.
Examination of Women’s Fidelity
Throughout the poem, Donne examines the concept of women’s fidelity from various angles. He suggests that a woman’s faithfulness would be gone whether the reader leaves her for a while, stays with her, or neither leaves nor stays with her. This repetition emphasizes the speaker’s cynical view of women’s fidelity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Go and Catch a Falling Star” is a powerful exploration of cynicism and the perceived impossibility of finding true fidelity in women. Donne’s use of fantastical imagery and hyperbole serves to emphasize the speaker’s bitter and cynical view. Despite its seemingly negative portrayal of women, the poem provides a fascinating insight into the speaker’s disillusionment and cynicism, making it a compelling piece of metaphysical poetry.
