Sweetest love I do not go Questions Answers
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.
