Sweetest love i do not go by John Donne | Sweetest love | Sweet Love | John Donne | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sweetest love, I do not go
Sweetest love, I do not go,
For weariness of thee,
Nor in hope the world can show
A fitter love for me;
But since that I
Must die at last, ’tis best
To use myself in jest
Thus by feign’d deaths to die.
Yesternight the sun went hence,
And yet is here today;
He hath no desire nor sense,
Nor half so short a way:
Then fear not me,
But believe that I shall make
Speedier journeys, since I take
More wings and spurs than he.
O how feeble is man’s power,
That if good fortune fall,
Cannot add another hour,
Nor a lost hour recall!
But come bad chance,
And we join to’it our strength,
And we teach it art and length,
Itself o’er us to’advance.
When thou sigh’st, thou sigh’st not wind,
But sigh’st my soul away;
When thou weep’st, unkindly kind,
My life’s blood doth decay.
It cannot be
That thou lov’st me, as thou say’st,
If in thine my life thou waste,
That art the best of me.
Let not thy divining heart
Forethink me any ill;
Destiny may take thy part,
And may thy fears fulfil;
But think that we
Are but turn’d aside to sleep;
They who one another keep
Alive, ne’er parted be.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
First Stanza
Line 1: Sweetest love, I do not go,
Explanation: The speaker is addressing his beloved, calling her his “sweetest love.” He is assuring her that he is not leaving because he is tired of her or their relationship.
Line 2: For weariness of thee,
Explanation: The speaker is not leaving because he is bored with his beloved.
Line 3: Nor in hope the world can show
Explanation: The speaker is not leaving because he thinks he can find a better love elsewhere.
Line 4: A fitter love for me;
Explanation: There is no better love in the world for the speaker than his beloved.
Line 5: But since that I
Explanation: This line marks a shift in the speaker’s tone. He is now talking about his own mortality.
Line 6: Must die at last, ’tis best
Explanation: The speaker acknowledges that he must eventually die, and he says that it is best to prepare for death by practicing it.
Line 7: To use myself in jest
Explanation: This line introduces the speaker’s metaphor of his departure as a rehearsal for death. He is saying that he is practicing dying by pretending to die.
Line 8: Thus by feign’d deaths to die.
Explanation: This line completes the speaker’s metaphor. He is saying that he is practicing dying by pretending to die.
Overall, the first stanza of the poem is a beautiful and moving expression of love and devotion. The speaker is assuring his beloved that he is not leaving because he loves her less, but because he knows that he must eventually die. He is also trying to prepare himself for his death by practicing it now.
Second Stanza
Line 1: Yesternight the sun went hence,
Explanation: This line introduces the speaker’s comparison of himself to the sun. He is reassuring his beloved that even though he is leaving, he will return, just as the sun returns after setting.
Line 2: And yet is here today;
Explanation: This line emphasizes the sun’s constancy. The speaker is telling his beloved that his love for her is just as constant as the sun.
Line 3: He hath no desire nor sense,
Explanation: This line highlights the sun’s lack of motivation. The sun does not set because it wants to; it sets simply because it is its nature to do so. The speaker is suggesting that his departure is not a sign of his waning love; it is simply something that he must do.
Line 4: Nor half so short a way:
Explanation: This line emphasizes the length of the speaker’s journey. He is suggesting that his journey is much longer and more difficult than the sun’s daily journey across the sky. However, he is confident that he will return, just as the sun returns each day.
Line 5: Then fear not me,
Explanation: This line is the speaker’s direct appeal to his beloved not to be afraid of his departure. He is reassuring her that he will return, just as the sun returns each day.
Line 6: But believe that I shall make
Explanation: This line reinforces the speaker’s promise to return. He is telling his beloved that she can be confident in his love and fidelity.
Line 7: Speedier journeys, since I take
Explanation: This line explains why the speaker is confident that he will be able to return quickly. He is telling his beloved that he is traveling with more speed and determination than the sun.
Line 8: More wings and spurs than he.
Explanation: This line is a metaphor for the speaker’s love and determination. He is telling his beloved that his love for her gives him the “wings” and “spurs” he needs to travel quickly and efficiently.
Overall, the second stanza of the poem is a beautiful and reassuring expression of love. The speaker is assuring his beloved that he will return quickly because he is driven by his love for her. He also compares himself to the sun, which always returns after setting.
Third Stanza
Line 1: O how feeble is man’s power,
Explanation: This line expresses the speaker’s sense of human frailty. He is suggesting that humans are powerless to control their own destiny.
Line 2: That if good fortune fall,
Explanation: This line refers to good luck or fortune. The speaker is suggesting that humans cannot prolong their good fortune.
Line 3: Cannot add another hour,
Explanation: This line emphasizes the speaker’s point that humans are powerless to control their own destiny. Even if they are fortunate, they cannot extend their lives beyond their allotted time.
Line 4: Nor a lost hour recall!
Explanation: This line reinforces the speaker’s point that humans cannot control their own destiny. Even if they lose time, they cannot get it back.
Line 5: But come bad chance,
Explanation: This line refers to bad luck or misfortune. The speaker is contrasting good fortune with bad fortune.
Line 6: And we join to’it our strength,
Explanation: This line suggests that humans have a strange tendency to make bad luck worse. Instead of accepting bad luck and moving on, humans often try to fight it, which only makes it stronger.
Line 7: And we teach it art and length,
Explanation: This line continues the speaker’s metaphor of bad luck as a force that can be taught and manipulated. Humans, through their own actions, can make bad luck last longer and have a greater impact on their lives.
Line 8: Itself o’er us to’advance.
Explanation: This line is the culmination of the speaker’s argument. He is suggesting that humans ultimately empower bad luck by trying to fight it. The more we resist bad luck, the stronger it becomes.
Overall, the third stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of human frailty and the power of bad luck. The speaker suggests that humans are powerless to control their own destiny and that they often make bad luck worse by trying to fight it. The poem is a reminder that we must accept both good and bad fortune with humility and grace.
Fourth Stanza
Line 1: When thou sigh’st, thou sigh’st not wind,
Explanation: This line introduces the speaker’s comparison of his beloved’s sighs to the wind. He is suggesting that her sighs are so powerful that they can take his breath away.
Line 2: But sigh’st my soul away;
Explanation: This line emphasizes the power of the speaker’s beloved’s sighs. He is suggesting that her sighs can consume him and take his lifeblood away.
Line 3: When thou weep’st, unkindly kind,
Explanation: This line is a paradox. The speaker is calling his beloved’s tears “unkindly kind” because they cause him pain, but they also show her love for him.
Line 4: My life’s blood doth decay.
Explanation: This line emphasizes the effect of the speaker’s beloved’s tears on him. He is suggesting that her tears drain his lifeblood and weaken him.
Line 5: It cannot be
Explanation: This line expresses the speaker’s disbelief that his beloved truly loves him. He is suggesting that if she loved him, she would not be causing him so much pain.
Line 6: That thou lov’st me, as thou say’st,
Explanation: This line is a reference to his beloved’s professions of love. The speaker is questioning her sincerity.
Line 7: If in thine my life thou waste,
Explanation: This line explains the speaker’s reason for doubting his beloved’s love. He is suggesting that her sighs and tears are draining his lifeblood and weakening him.
Line 8: That art the best of me.
Explanation: This line emphasizes the speaker’s love for his beloved. He is suggesting that she is the best thing in his life, and that he cannot imagine living without her.
Overall, the fourth stanza of the poem is a powerful and moving expression of love and doubt. The speaker is struggling to reconcile his love for his beloved with the pain that she is causing him.
Fifth Stanza
Line 1: Let not thy divining heart
Explanation: This line is the speaker’s direct address to his beloved. He is asking her not to worry about him or to predict any bad fortune for him.
Line 2: Forethink me any ill;
Explanation: This line reiterates the speaker’s request that his beloved not worry about him.
Line 3: Destiny may take thy part,
Explanation: This line acknowledges the possibility that the speaker’s beloved may have to endure bad fortune.
Line 4: And may thy fears fulfil;
Explanation: This line suggests that the speaker’s beloved’s fears may come true.
Line 5: But think that we
Explanation: This line marks a shift in the speaker’s tone. He is now asking his beloved to focus on the positive.
Line 6: Are but turn’d aside to sleep;
Explanation: This line is a metaphor for death. The speaker is suggesting that death is only a temporary separation, like sleep.
Line 7: They who one another keep
Explanation: This line emphasizes the strength of the speaker’s love for his beloved. He is suggesting that their love is so strong that it can transcend even death.
Line 8: Alive, ne’er parted be.
Explanation: This line reiterates the speaker’s belief that he and his beloved will never be truly parted, even by death.
Overall, the fifth stanza of the poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on love and death. The speaker is reassuring his beloved that even if their love is separated by death, their souls will always be together. He compares their love to sleep, suggesting that death is simply a temporary separation.
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | अर्थ |
| Stanza 1 | |||
| 1 | Sweetest love | Most beloved | सबसे प्यारी प्रेमिका |
| 2 | Weariness | Lack of interest or energy | थकावट |
| 2 | thee | you | तुमको |
| 4 | Fitter | More suitable or appropriate | अधिक उपयुक्त या उपयुक्त |
| 6 | Tis | It is | यह है |
| 7 | Jest | A joke or prank | मजाक या शरारत |
| 8 | Feign’d | Imaginary or pretended | काल्पनिक या बहाना |
| Stanza 2 | |||
| 1 | Yesternight | Last night | पिछली रात |
| 1 | Hence | From this place | यहां से |
| 3 | Hath | Has | है |
| 4 | Nor | Not | न |
| 5 | Fear not me | Do not be afraid of me | मुझसे मत डरो |
| 7 | Speedier | Faster | तेज |
| 8 | Spurs | inspiration | प्रेरणा |
| Stanza 3 | |||
| 1 | Feeble | Weak | कमजोर |
| 2 | Fall | To happen | होना |
| 3 | Cannot add another hour | Cannot extend one’s life | अपने जीवन को बढ़ा नहीं सकता |
| 4 | Nor a lost hour recall | Cannot bring back time that has passed | बीता हुआ समय वापस नहीं ला सकता |
| 5 | Bad chance | Bad luck | दुर्भाग्य |
| 6 | We join to’it our strength | We make bad luck stronger | हम दुर्भाग्य को मजबूत बनाते हैं |
| 7 | Teach it art and length | Teach bad luck how to last longer and how to hurt us more | दुर्भाग्य को अधिक समय तक चलने और हमें अधिक चोट पहुँचाने का तरीका सिखाते हैं |
| 8 | Itself o’er us to’advance | To take advantage of us | हमसे फायदा लेने के लिए |
| Stanza 4 | |||
| 1 | Sigh’st | Sighs | आहें भरती हो |
| 2 | soul | spirit | आत्मा |
| 3 | weep’st | weepest | रोना |
| 3 | Unkindly kind | Cruel kindness | निर्दयी दया |
| 4 | doth | Does (third person singular present of do) | |
| 4 | Decay | To waste away or deteriorate | क्षय होना या बिगड़ना |
| 6 | thou | you | तुम |
| 6 | lov’st | Obsolete form of lovest | |
| 6 | say’st | second person singular of say (sayest) | |
| 7 | in thine | In you | तेरे में |
| 7 | Waste | To consume or use up without any useful purpose | बिना किसी उपयोगी उद्देश्य के उपभोग करना या उपयोग करना |
| Stanza 5 | |||
| 1 | thy | your | तेरा |
| 1 | divine | heavenly | दिव्य |
| 2 | Forethink | To anticipate or predict | अनुमान या भविष्यवाणी करना |
| 3 | Destiny | The predetermined course of events | नियति |
| 4 | Fulfil | To carry out or bring to completion | पूरा करना या लाना |
| 6 | Turn’d aside | Digressed or diverted | भटकना या विचलित होना |
| 8 | Ne’er | Never | कभी नहीं |
| 8 | parted | separated | जुदा |
Summary
This poem, “Sweetest love, I do not go,” is a work by John Donne, a 17th-century English poet. Donne is known for his metaphysical poetry, characterized by intellectual and often elaborate metaphors and a deep exploration of complex emotions. This particular poem reflects Donne’s exploration of love, mortality, and the uncertainties of life.
In the first stanza, the speaker addresses a “sweetest love” and reassures that their departure is not due to weariness or the hope of finding a better love elsewhere. However, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death and suggests that it’s best to treat life as a jest, feigning deaths along the way.
The second stanza uses the metaphor of the sun, suggesting that even though it appears to set (yesternight), it rises again. The speaker uses this to convey that there is no need to fear their departure, as they will return swiftly with more determination and speed.
The third stanza reflects on the fragility of human power, noting that good fortune cannot add time to life, nor can lost time be recovered. The speaker acknowledges that adversity prompts humans to use their strength and intelligence to overcome challenges.
The fourth stanza explores the profound impact of the beloved on the speaker’s life. The imagery of sighing and weeping suggests a deep emotional connection, and the speaker questions the sincerity of the beloved’s love if it leads to the wasteful decay of the speaker’s life.
In the final stanza, the speaker addresses the beloved directly, asking not to anticipate any ill fate. The speaker acknowledges the role of destiny and fears but suggests that true lovers, those who keep each other alive, are never truly parted, even in death.
Overall, the poem is a meditation on love, mortality, and the uncertainties of life, expressed through rich metaphors and deep emotional exploration, characteristic of John Donne’s poetic style.
Key Points
Author The poem is written by John Donne, an English metaphysical poet, and Christian cleric.
Form The poem is a five-stanza piece, each stanza separated into sets of eight lines, or octaves. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDDC. This pattern is followed in each of the five stanzas of the poem.
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 impending departure from his lover.
Theme The main themes of the poem are love, departure, and death.
Plot The poem begins with the speaker stating that he is going to have to leave. This does not mean the end of their relationship though as he doesn’t actually want to go. His departure will be like the setting of the sun. He’ll be gone briefly but return as the sun does in the morning. The speaker compares himself to the sun again, this time in common steadfastness.
Tone The tone of the poem is consoling and reassuring, as the speaker tries to comfort his lover about his impending departure.
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 true love transcends physical boundaries and temporary separations. The speaker reassures his lover that just like the sun that sets and rises again, he too will return to her. He emphasizes the power of love to endure separations and the inevitability of death.
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 “Sweetest love, I do not go”?
The author of the poem is John Donne.
What is the form of the poem?
The poem is a five-stanza piece, each stanza separated into sets of eight lines, or octaves.
Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker in the poem is the poet himself, John Donne.
What is the setting of the poem?
The setting of the poem is not explicitly mentioned, but it revolves around the speaker’s impending departure from his lover.
What are the main themes of the poem?
The main themes of the poem are love, departure, and death.
What is the plot of the poem?
The poem begins with the speaker stating that he is going to have to leave. This does not mean the end of their relationship though as he doesn’t actually want to go.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is consoling and reassuring.
What is the style of the poem?
Donne’s style is characterized by abrupt openings, various paradoxes, ironies, and dislocations.
What is the message of the poem?
The message of the poem is that true love transcends physical boundaries and temporary separations.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDDC.
How does the speaker compare himself to the sun?
The speaker compares himself to the sun in terms of his steadfastness and his promise to return like the sun does every morning.
What does the speaker reassure his lover about?
The speaker reassures his lover about his impending departure and promises to return.
What does the speaker say about the power of love?
The speaker emphasizes the power of love to endure separations and the inevitability of death.
What does the speaker say about death in the poem?
The speaker suggests that death is inevitable but love can transcend it.
What does the speaker say about his departure?
The speaker says that his departure is temporary and he will return like the sun does every morning.
What does the speaker say about his return?
The speaker promises to return to his lover just like the sun that sets and rises again.
What does the speaker say about the end of their relationship?
The speaker says that his departure does not mean the end of their relationship.
What does the speaker say about his lover’s reaction to his departure?
The speaker tries to console his lover about his impending departure and reassures her of his return.
What does the speaker say about the nature of true love?
The speaker says that true love transcends physical boundaries and temporary separations.
What does the speaker say about the nature of his love for his lover?
The speaker emphasizes his steadfast love for his lover and reassures her of his return.
Why does the speaker claim not to leave due to weariness or finding a better love?
For the inevitability of death.
What metaphor is used for treating life as a jest?
Feigning deaths.
What celestial event is used as a metaphor for the speaker’s return?
The sun’s rising.
Why does the speaker claim to return more swiftly than the sun?
Taking more wings and spurs.
What does the third stanza reflect on?
The fragility of human power.
What does the speaker say humans can’t do with good fortune or lost time?
Add or recall time.
What does adversity prompt humans to do, according to the poem?
Join strength, teach art.
What does the speaker question regarding the beloved’s love?
Sincerity if it leads to decay.
What does the speaker claim is sighing and weeping away?
My life’s blood.
What is the speaker’s doubt about the beloved’s professed love?
Wasting the speaker’s life.
What does the speaker ask the beloved’s divining heart not to forethink?
Any ill fate.
What role does the speaker attribute to destiny?
May take the beloved’s part.
What might fulfill the beloved’s fears, according to the speaker?
Destiny.
What does the speaker suggest about those who keep each other alive?
They are never truly parted.
In how many stanzas is the poem divided?
Five stanzas.
What is a characteristic feature of John Donne’s poetry?
Metaphysical exploration.
What emotion is deeply explored in the poem?
Love.
Summarize the poem in one sentence.
The poem reflects on love, mortality, and life’s uncertainties, employing rich metaphors and emotional depth.
Short Answer Questions
To whom is the poem addressed?
The poem is addressed to the speaker’s beloved.
Why is the speaker leaving his beloved?
The speaker is leaving his beloved because he must travel.
How does the speaker reassure his beloved that he will return?
The speaker reassures his beloved that he will return by comparing himself to the sun, which always sets but always rises again. He also says that he will travel more quickly than the sun because he is driven by his love for her.
What does the speaker mean when he says that he is “using himself in jest”?
The speaker means that he is practicing dying by pretending to die. He does this because he knows that he must eventually die, and he wants to be prepared for it.
What does the speaker mean when he says that he and his beloved are “but turn’d aside to sleep”?
The speaker means that death is only a temporary separation. He believes that he and his beloved will be reunited after death.
What is the poem’s overall theme?
The poem’s overall theme is the power of love to overcome even death.
What is the significance of the poem’s title?
The poem’s title is significant because it highlights the speaker’s love for his beloved. Even though he is leaving her, he is still thinking of her and assuring her of his love.
What is the poem’s tone?
The poem’s tone is hopeful and reassuring. The speaker is confident that he will return to his beloved, and he is excited to see her again.
What are some of the poetic devices that Donne uses in the poem?
Donne uses a variety of poetic devices in the poem, including metaphor, simile, and personification. For example, he compares himself to the sun, and he personifies death as a “bad chance.”
What is the significance of the poem’s setting?
The poem’s setting is significant because it highlights the speaker’s departure from his beloved. The fact that he is leaving at night suggests that he is leaving in secret.
What is the significance of the poem’s rhyme scheme?
The poem’s rhyme scheme is significant because it creates a sense of rhythm and flow. The ABAB rhyme scheme also helps to emphasize the speaker’s main points.
What is the significance of the poem’s imagery?
The poem’s imagery is significant because it helps to create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader’s mind. For example, the speaker’s image of his beloved’s sighs and tears stealing his soul away is particularly powerful.
What is the significance of the poem’s symbolism?
The poem’s symbolism is significant because it adds depth and meaning to the poem. For example, the sun symbolizes hope and life, while death is symbolized by the “bad chance.”
What is the poem’s message to the reader?
The poem’s message to the reader is that love is the most powerful force in the universe. It is a force that can transcend even death.
Why is the poem still relevant today?
The poem is still relevant today because it explores themes that are universal and timeless, such as love, loss, and death. The poem also offers a message of hope and reassurance, which is something that everyone needs from time to time.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction
John Donne’s poem “Song: Sweetest love, I do not go” is a beautiful and moving expression of love and devotion. The speaker is addressing his beloved, assuring her that his impending departure is not a sign of his waning love. He compares his leaving to the setting of the sun, which disappears from sight but returns again the next day. He also reminds her that their love is so strong that it can withstand even the most difficult challenges.
Themes
The poem explores a number of important themes, including:
Love: The poem is a celebration of the power of love. The speaker’s love for his beloved is so strong that it can overcome even the fear of death.
Separation: The poem also explores the pain of separation. The speaker is saddened by the fact that he must leave his beloved, but he knows that their love will endure.
Death: The poem also deals with the theme of death. The speaker knows that he must eventually die, but he is not afraid because he believes that he and his beloved will be reunited after death.
Poetic Devices
Donne uses a variety of poetic devices in the poem, including:
Metaphor: Donne compares the speaker’s departure to the setting of the sun. This metaphor suggests that the speaker’s love for his beloved is as constant as the sun’s return.
Simile: Donne also uses a simile to compare his beloved’s sighs and tears to a wind that steals his soul away. This simile suggests that the speaker’s love for his beloved is so powerful that it consumes him.
Personification: Donne personifies death as a “bad chance.” This personification suggests that death is a powerful and unpredictable force.
Structure and Tone
The poem is written in five stanzas, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem’s tone is hopeful and reassuring. The speaker is confident that he will return to his beloved, and he is excited to see her again.
Analysis
The poem is a complex and nuanced exploration of love, separation, and death. Donne uses a variety of poetic devices to create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader’s mind. The poem’s speaker is a deeply passionate and sensitive individual who is deeply in love with his beloved. He is also a realist who understands that life is impermanent and that death is inevitable. However, the speaker’s love for his beloved gives him hope and strength in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
“Song: Sweetest love, I do not go” is a beautiful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental human experiences. Donne’s use of poetic devices and his complex and nuanced exploration of these themes make the poem a timeless classic.
Q. Discuss the poetic devices used in poem.
These are the poetic devices used in John Donne’s poem “Song: Sweetest love, I do not go”:
Metaphor
Donne uses metaphor throughout the poem to compare the speaker’s love to various things, such as the sun, a wind, and a sleep. These metaphors create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader’s mind and help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker’s love.
For example, the speaker compares his departure to the setting of the sun:
Yesternight the sun went hence,
And yet is here today;
He hath no desire nor sense,
Nor half so short a way:
This metaphor suggests that the speaker’s love for his beloved is as constant as the sun’s return. He assures her that even though he is leaving, he will eventually return to her.
The speaker also compares his beloved’s sighs and tears to a wind that steals his soul away:
When thou sigh’st, thou sigh’st not wind,
But sigh’st my soul away;
When thou weep’st, unkindly kind,
My life’s blood doth decay.
This metaphor suggests that the speaker’s love for his beloved is so powerful that it consumes him. Her sighs and tears take his breath away and drain his lifeblood.
Finally, the speaker compares their love to a sleep:
Let not thy divining heart
Forethink me any ill;
Destiny may take thy part,
And may thy fears fulfil:
But think that we
Are but turn’d aside to sleep;
They who one another keep
Alive, ne’er parted be.
This metaphor suggests that death is only a temporary separation. The speaker believes that he and his beloved will be reunited after death, just as two people who love each other will always be together, even when they are sleeping.
Personification
Donne also personifies death in the poem, calling it a “bad chance” that can be taught “art and length” by humans who join forces against it. This personification suggests that death is a powerful and unpredictable force, but it is also a force that can be overcome by love.
Other poetic devices
In addition to metaphor, simile, and personification, Donne also uses a variety of other poetic devices in the poem, including:
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, in the line “But sigh’st my soul away,” the repetition of the “s” sound creates a sense of urgency and passion.
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words. For example, in the line “Destiny may take thy part,” the repetition of the “a” sound creates a sense of softness and beauty.
Imagery: The use of vivid language to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, in the line “When thou weep’st, unkindly kind,” the image of the speaker’s beloved’s tears draining his lifeblood is particularly powerful.
Rhythm: The use of stressed and unstressed syllables to create a pattern of sound. The poem’s regular rhythm helps to create a sense of flow and movement.
Overall effect
Donne’s use of poetic devices in “Song: Sweetest love, I do not go” creates a poem that is both beautiful and moving. The poem’s vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and regular rhythm help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker’s love. The poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
Donne’s use of poetic devices in “Song: Sweetest love, I do not go” is masterful. He uses a variety of devices, including metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, assonance, imagery, and rhythm, to create a poem that is both beautiful and moving. The poem’s vivid imagery and powerful metaphors help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker’s love. The poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
