The Good Morrow by John Donne

The Good Morrow by John Donne | The Good Morrow | The Good Morrow John Donne | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | John Donne | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons

The Good-Morrow

I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I

Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?

But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?

Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?

’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.

If ever any beauty I did see,

Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.

And now good-morrow to our waking souls,

Which watch not one another out of fear;

For love, all love of other sights controls,

And makes one little room an everywhere.

Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,

Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,

Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.

My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,

And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;

Where can we find two better hemispheres,

Without sharp north, without declining west?

Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;

If our two loves be one, or, thou and I

Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.

The Good Morrow

line-by-line explanation of the poem

1. I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I

Did, till we loved?

Explanation:

“I wonder, by my troth,”: The phrase “by my troth” is an old English expression that means “truly” or “indeed”. So, the speaker is saying “I truly wonder”. This gives the line a tone of sincere curiosity and introspection.

“what thou and I Did, till we loved?”: The speaker is pondering what he and his lover did before they fell in love. He’s questioning the significance and meaning of their lives before they found each other. This suggests that their love has brought about a profound change in their lives, to the point where their past activities seem almost meaningless in comparison.

In essence, this line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the transformative power of love. The speaker suggests that their lives began in earnest only when they fell in love, and everything before that seems insignificant in comparison. This is a common theme in Donne’s poetry, reflecting his belief in the spiritual and transcendent nature of love.

Poetic devices:

Rhetorical Question: The speaker asks “what thou and I Did, till we loved?” not to get an answer, but to emphasize a point or draw the reader’s attention to a theme or idea. This is a common device used in poetry to provoke thought and engage the reader.

Enjambment: Enjambment is used, creating a flowing effect between lines, emphasizing the speaker’s continuous contemplation of life before love.

2. Were we not weaned till then?

Explanation:

“Were we not weaned till then?”: The term “weaned” typically refers to the process of gradually withdrawing an infant’s dependency on the mother’s milk as the primary source of nutrition, introducing the infant to solid foods. In the context of the poem, the speaker uses “weaned” metaphorically to represent a transition from one state of being to another.

The speaker is suggesting that before they fell in love, they were like infants, dependent on immature or ‘childish’ pleasures. It is only when they fell in love (i.e., ‘weaned’) that they moved on to a more mature, fulfilling, and meaningful experience – their love for each other.

Poetic Device:

Rhetorical question: A question asked not to get an answer but to emphasize a point or draw the reader’s attention to a theme or idea. Here, the rhetorical question underscores the transformative power of love, a key theme in the poem.

3. But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?

Explanation:

“But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?”: The speaker uses the verb “sucked” to further the metaphor of being like infants (from the previous line “Were we not weaned till then?”). Here, “country pleasures” likely refers to simple, naive, or immature joys or pleasures that they indulged in before they experienced the profound love they now share. The adverb “childishly” emphasizes the immaturity and lack of depth of these past experiences.

Poetic Device:

Alliteration: A poetic device where the same letter or sound is used at the beginning of closely connected words. In this case, the repetition of the ‘c’ sound in “country” and “childishly” adds a rhythmic quality to the line.

4. Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?

Explanation:

“Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?”: The speaker is suggesting that before they fell in love, they were like the Seven Sleepers, oblivious to the world around them. The “Seven Sleepers” is a reference to a Christian and Islamic legend about seven young men who hid inside a cave to escape religious persecution and fell into a miraculous sleep for centuries. By using the verb “snorted”, the speaker might be implying that they were in a state of deep sleep or ignorance, unaware of the profound love that they would later experience.

Poetic Device:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their past state of ignorance (before they fell in love) to the Seven Sleepers’ long sleep in the cave.

Allusion: A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. In this case, the allusion to the Seven Sleepers serves to emphasize the transformative power of love, a key theme in the poem.

5. ’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.

Explanation:

“’Twas so;”: This is an archaic contraction of “it was so,” confirming that the speaker’s previous statements about their past were true. They acknowledge that they were indeed like infants or like the Seven Sleepers, oblivious to the world around them before they fell in love.

“but this, all pleasures fancies be.”: The speaker contrasts their past with their present state of being in love. The word “this” refers to their current love. The phrase “all pleasures fancies be” suggests that all other pleasures are mere fancies, or illusions, compared to the profound love they now experience.

Poetic devices:

Contrast or Juxtaposition: A poetic device where two contrasting ideas are placed side by side for emphasis. Here, the speaker contrasts their past pleasures (which they now see as childish or insignificant) with their current state of profound love.

6. If ever any beauty I did see,

Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.

Explanation:

“If ever any beauty I did see,”: The speaker is reflecting on any beauty they have seen in the past. This could refer to physical beauty, such as a beautiful person or scene, or metaphorical beauty, such as a beautiful idea or experience.

“Which I desired, and got,”: The speaker acknowledges that they desired this beauty and obtained it. This could mean that they pursued and achieved a beautiful experience or relationship, or that they attained a deeper understanding or appreciation of beauty.

“’twas but a dream of thee.”: The speaker concludes that any beauty they have seen and desired was merely a dream or premonition of their lover. This suggests that their lover embodies all the beauty they have ever seen or desired. It’s as if all previous experiences of beauty were simply preparing them to recognize and appreciate the beauty of their lover.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their past experiences of beauty to a dream of their lover, emphasizing the profound and transcendent nature of their love.

7. And now good-morrow to our waking souls,

Explanation:

“And now good-morrow to our waking souls,”: The phrase “good-morrow” is an old English greeting used to wish someone a good morning. In the context of the poem, the speaker uses “good-morrow” metaphorically to signify a new beginning or awakening. The “waking souls” refers to the speaker and his lover, who have ‘awoken’ to a new reality of profound love.

This line marks a transition in the poem from reflecting on the past (what they did before they loved) to celebrating the present (their current state of love). It’s as if their souls have ‘woken up’ or come alive because of their love.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their awakening to love to the act of waking up in the morning.

8. Which watch not one another out of fear;

Explanation:

“Which watch not one another out of fear;”: The word “which” refers back to their “waking souls” mentioned in the previous line. The speaker is saying that their souls, now awakened by love, do not watch each other out of fear. This suggests a relationship based on trust, love, and mutual respect, rather than fear or insecurity.

Poetic devices:

Personification: Personification is employed as the waking souls are described as watching, adding depth and anthropomorphic qualities to the concept.

9. For love, all love of other sights controls,

Explanation:

“For love, all love of other sights controls,”: The speaker is saying that their love for each other controls or surpasses any love or appreciation they might have for other sights. This suggests that their love is so profound and all-encompassing that it dominates their perception and appreciation of the world around them.

Poetic devices:

Hyperbole: A figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. Here, the speaker uses hyperbole to emphasize the intensity and depth of their love.

10. And makes one little room an everywhere.

Explanation:

“And makes one little room an everywhere,”: The speaker is saying that their profound love transforms their perception of space. Even a small room, where they share their love, feels as vast and infinite as the entire universe. This suggests that when they are together, they don’t need anything else; their love fills their world and makes it complete.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their small room to the entire universe, emphasizing the depth and expansiveness of their love.

11. Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,

Explanation:

“Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,”: The speaker is saying that let the sea explorers go to new worlds. This is a metaphorical way of saying that other people may seek new experiences or pursue worldly adventures, but for the speaker, the love they share with their beloved is so fulfilling that they feel no need to seek anything else.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares sea explorers seeking new worlds to people seeking new experiences or adventures.

12. Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,

Explanation:

“Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,”: The speaker is saying that let the maps show other worlds upon worlds. This is a metaphorical way of saying that there are countless other experiences, adventures, and discoveries out there in the world, represented by “worlds on worlds”. However, for the speaker, the love they share with their beloved is so fulfilling that they feel no need to seek anything else.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares maps showing other worlds to the vast array of experiences and adventures available in the world.

13. Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.

Explanation:

“Let us possess one world,”: The speaker is saying that they and their beloved should possess one world. This is a metaphorical way of saying that they should share their lives and experiences together, creating a shared world of love.

“each hath one,”: The phrase “each hath one” suggests that each of them has their own world, which could represent their individual experiences, thoughts, and emotions. However, in the context of their love, these individual worlds merge into one.

“and is one.”: The phrase “and is one” further emphasizes the unity and oneness in their love. Despite their individuality, their love makes them one.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their shared love to possessing one world, emphasizing the depth and unity of their love.

Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, to emphasize his points and add rhythm to the poem. For example, the word “Let” begins three lines in a row.

14. My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,

Explanation:

“My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,”: The speaker is saying that when they look into each other’s eyes, they can see their own reflection. This is a metaphorical way of saying that they see themselves in each other, and vice versa. It suggests a deep connection and understanding between them, as if they are mirrors to each other’s souls.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares the act of seeing their reflection in each other’s eyes to the deep connection and understanding they share.

15. And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;

Explanation:

“And true plain hearts do in the faces rest,”: The speaker is saying that their true, sincere hearts are reflected in their faces. This suggests that their love for each other is so profound and genuine that it’s visible on their faces. It also implies that there’s no deceit or pretense in their love; what you see on their faces is a true reflection of their hearts.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares the sincerity of their hearts to the expressions on their faces, emphasizing the authenticity and depth of their love.

16. Where can we find two better hemispheres,

Without sharp north, without declining west?

Explanation:

“Where can we find two better hemispheres,”: The speaker is rhetorically asking where they could find two better halves than themselves and their beloved. The term “hemispheres” metaphorically represents the speaker and their beloved, each being a half of a whole. This suggests that they complement each other perfectly, just like two halves of a sphere.

“Without sharp north, without declining west?”: The speaker further describes their perfect union by saying it lacks a “sharp north” and a “declining west”. In traditional cosmology, the north is often associated with coldness and harshness, while the west, where the sun sets, is associated with decline or end. By saying their love lacks these qualities, the speaker implies that their love is warm, enduring, and free from decline or end.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their perfect union to two hemispheres without a sharp north or declining west, emphasizing the warmth, endurance, and perfection of their love.

17. Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;

Explanation:

“Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;”: The speaker is suggesting that anything that dies was not mixed equally, implying a lack of balance or harmony. In the context of the poem, this could be interpreted as a metaphor for relationships or love. If a relationship or love ‘dies’ or ends, it could be because there was not an equal give and take, or a balanced mutual effort from both parties.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares the death of anything (which could be interpreted as the end of a relationship or love) to the concept of unequal mixing, emphasizing the importance of balance and equality in maintaining a relationship or love.

18. If our two loves be one, or, thou and I

Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.

Explanation:

“If our two loves be one,”: The speaker is suggesting that their love for each other is so profound and intertwined that it’s as if their two separate loves have become one. This signifies a deep unity and connection between them.

“or, thou and I Love so alike,”: The speaker continues by saying that they and their beloved love so similarly, further emphasizing the harmony and balance in their relationship.

“that none do slacken, none can die.”: The speaker concludes by saying that their love is so strong and balanced that it cannot slacken (weaken) or die. This suggests an enduring, immortal love that is immune to change or decay.

Poetic devices:

Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but have something in common. Here, the speaker compares their enduring, balanced love to two loves becoming one and to a love that cannot slacken or die, emphasizing the depth, unity, and immortality of their love.

Summary

This poem, “The Good-Morrow” by John Donne, reflects on the transformative power of love and the profound connection between two individuals. The poem begins with the speaker expressing wonder about what their lives were like before they fell in love. The speaker questions whether they were merely indulging in superficial pleasures or living in a state of ignorance before they found love. The references to “country pleasures” and the “Seven Sleepers’ den” suggest a sense of innocence or immaturity prior to experiencing love.

However, the speaker dismisses these previous experiences as mere illusions compared to the depth of love they now feel. They describe any beauty they encountered before as merely a reflection or anticipation of the beloved.

The poem then transitions to a celebration of their awakened love, greeting the morning (“good-morrow”) not just to the physical dawn but to the awakening of their souls through love. The speaker emphasizes that their love transcends physical distance and boundaries. They declare that love makes their shared space expansive, turning a small room into a universe where they are united.

The imagery of faces reflecting in each other’s eyes suggests a deep emotional connection and mutual understanding between the lovers. The speaker metaphorically compares their love to two hemispheres of the globe, perfectly complementing each other without any flaws or divisions. The reference to the “sharp north” and the “declining west” symbolizes conflict and imperfection, which their love transcends.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the equality and immortality of their love. The speaker suggests that if their love is truly unified and indivisible, then it cannot diminish or die. Their love is portrayed as harmonious and enduring, transcending the limitations of mortality.

Overall, “The Good-Morrow” explores themes of love, unity, and transcendence, celebrating the transformative power of deep emotional connection between two souls.

Key Points

Author

John Donne was an English poet and cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets.

Form (Rhyme Scheme)

“The Good-Morrow” is generally considered a sonnet, even though it stretches to twenty-one lines rather than the traditional fourteen. The poem is divided into three sets of seven lines that conform to a rhyming pattern of ABABCCC.

Speaker

The speaker in the poem is a lover who is expressing his deep and profound love for his beloved. The poem is a dramatic monologue, and the reader learns about the poet’s deepest loving feelings as the poem progresses.

Setting

The setting of the poem is intimate, likely a bedroom where the speaker and his beloved are together. The speaker reflects on their love and how it has transformed their perception of the world.

Theme

Plot

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on their past before they fell in love, suggesting that their lives began in earnest only when they fell in love. The speaker then celebrates their present state of love, suggesting that their love is so profound and all-encompassing that it dominates their perception and appreciation of the world.

Tone

Style

Donne’s style in “The Good-Morrow” is characterized by imaginative imagery and hyperbole. He uses metaphors to express the depth and exclusivity of the speaker’s love. He also uses imperative sentences to emphasize the speaker’s contentment with their love and lack of desire for worldly exploration or experiences outside of their love.

Message

The message of the poem is that love can be a transformative power that can change our perception of the world. When we are in love, our world becomes complete, and we feel no need to seek anything else. This is a testament to the spiritual and transcendent nature of love.

John Donne

1. Birth and Early Life John Donne was born in London, England, in 1572. He was born into a recusant Roman Catholic family during a time when practicing that religion was illegal in England.

2. Education Donne studied at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, but he did not take a degree from either university because as a Roman Catholic, he could not swear the required oath of allegiance to the Protestant queen, Elizabeth.

3. Career Donne had a diverse career. He was a poet, scholar, soldier, and secretary. Later in his life, he became a cleric in the Church of England. Under royal patronage, he was made Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London from 1621 to 1631.

4. Literary Works Donne is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His poetical works are noted for their metaphorical and sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, and satires. He is also known for his sermons.

5. Style Donne’s style is characterized by abrupt openings and 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.

6. Personal Life In 1601, Donne secretly married Anne More, with whom he had twelve children. Despite his great education and poetic talents, Donne lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends.

7. Death John Donne died on March 31, 1631.

8. Legacy Donne is often considered the greatest love poet in the English language. He is particularly famous for his mastery of metaphysical conceits. His works continue to be studied and admired for their intellectual depth and emotional resonance.

Word Meaning

Stanza	Tough Word	Meaning in English	Meaning in Hindi
1	troth	truth, faith	सत्य, विश्वास
	Thou	You	तुम
	weaned	stopped breastfeeding	दूध छुड़ाना
	childishly	in a way characteristic of a child	बचकाना तरीके से
	snorted	breathed heavily and noisily	जोर से सांस लेना
	Seven Sleepers’ den	cave where seven Christians supposedly slept for centuries	सात सोने वालों की गुफा
	Twas so	It was so	यह था तो
	fancies	ideas or beliefs that are not based on reality	कल्पनाएँ, भ्रम
	Thee	Your	तेरा
2	Good-Morrow	Good Morning
	waking souls	souls that are becoming aware and conscious	जागृत आत्माएँ
	controls	dominates, governs	नियंत्रित करता है, संचालन करता है
	everywhere	any place	हर जगह
	sea-discoverers	people who explore and discover new seas	समुद्री खोजकर्ता
	worlds on worlds	many, many worlds	अनगिनत दुनियाँ
	possess	own, have	अधिकार करना, रखना
	Hath	Has/Have
3	Thine	Your	तेरा
	True plain hearts	True hearts / True love	सच्चे सादे दिल
	hemispheres	halves of a sphere	गोलार्द्ध
	Sharp north	coldness and harshness	शीतलता और कठोरता
	declining west	west where the sun sets and seems to decline	डूबता हुआ पश्चिम
	mixed equally	combined in equal parts	समान रूप से मिलाया हुआ
	slacken	become weaker or slower	कमजोर होना, धीमा होना

Very Short Answer Questions

Q: Who is the author of “The Good-Morrow”?

A: The author of “The Good-Morrow” is John Donne.

Q: What is the main theme of “The Good-Morrow”?

A: The main theme of “The Good-Morrow” is the transformative power of love.

Q: What does the speaker reflect on in the poem?

A: The speaker reflects on their past and their profound love in the present.

Q: What does “weaned” metaphorically represent in the poem?

A: “Weaned” metaphorically represents a transition from one state of being to another.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “sea-discoverers” and “new worlds”?

A: “Sea-discoverers” and “new worlds” serve as metaphors for people seeking new experiences or adventures.

Q: What does “one world” represent in the poem?

A: “One world” represents the shared love and life between the speaker and their beloved.

Q: What does the speaker see when they look into each other’s eyes?

A: The speaker sees their own reflection when they look into each other’s eyes.

Q: What does “sharp north” and “declining west” represent in the poem?

A: “Sharp north” and “declining west” represent harshness and decline, respectively.

Q: What does the speaker suggest about anything that dies?

A: The speaker suggests that anything that dies was not mixed equally, implying a lack of balance or harmony.

Q: What is the tone of “The Good-Morrow”?

A: The tone of “The Good-Morrow” is reflective and celebratory.

Q: What form does “The Good-Morrow” take?

A: “The Good-Morrow” is generally considered a sonnet, even though it stretches to twenty-one lines rather than the traditional fourteen.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “sucked on country pleasures, childishly”?

A: The speaker means that they indulged in simple, I, or immature joys before they experienced profound love.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “And makes one little room an everywhere.”?

A: The speaker means that their love transforms their perception of space, making a small room feel as vast as the universe.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,”?

A: The speaker means that they see themselves in each other, suggesting a deep connection and understanding.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;”?

A: The speaker means that their true, sincere hearts are reflected in their faces.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “Where can we find two better hemispheres,”?

A: The speaker is rhetorically asking where they could find two better halves than themselves and their beloved.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “If our two loves be one, or, thou and I Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.”?

A: The speaker means that their love is so strong and balanced that it cannot slacken (weaken) or die.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,”?

A: The speaker means that there are countless other experiences, adventures, and discoveries out there in the world, but they feel no desire to pursue them because their world is complete with their love.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “For love, all love of other sights controls,”?

A: The speaker means that their love for each other controls or surpasses any love or appreciation they might have for other sights.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;”?

A: The speaker means that if a relationship or love ‘dies’ or ends, it could be because there was not an equal give and take, or a balanced mutual effort from both parties.

Short Answer Questions

Q: How does John Donne use metaphysical conceits in “The Good-Morrow”?

A: John Donne uses metaphysical conceits, or extended metaphors, throughout “The Good-Morrow” to express complex ideas about love and existence. For example, he compares the lovers to two hemispheres forming a perfect world, suggesting that their love is complete and self-sufficient.

Q: What does the speaker mean when he says “If ever any beauty I did see, Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee”?

A: The speaker is expressing that any beauty he has ever desired and obtained in the past was merely a dream or a reflection of his beloved. This suggests that his beloved embodies all the beauty he has ever sought, emphasizing the depth of his love.

Q: How does the speaker’s perception of the world change after falling in love?

A: After falling in love, the speaker’s perception of the world changes dramatically. He sees the world as complete and fulfilling within the confines of their love. He no longer desires to explore or seek new experiences, as his world is complete with his beloved.

Q: How does the speaker describe his past before falling in love?

A: The speaker describes his past before falling in love as childishly indulging in simple pleasures. He suggests that his life began in earnest only when he fell in love, indicating that his past activities seem almost meaningless in comparison to his current state of love.

Q: How does the speaker use the metaphor of “weaning” in the poem?

A: The speaker uses the metaphor of “weaning” to represent a transition from one state of being to another. In the context of the poem, it signifies the speaker’s transition from a state of childish infatuation or lust to a mature, profound love.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “one little room an everywhere”?

A: By saying “one little room an everywhere”, the speaker means that the space they share with their beloved feels as vast and fulfilling as the entire world. This underscores the idea that their love is all-encompassing and self-sufficient.

Q: How does the speaker view the world outside of their love?

A: The speaker views the world outside of their love as insignificant and uninteresting. They express a lack of desire for worldly exploration or experiences outside of their love, suggesting that their love is so fulfilling that it leaves no room for anything else.

Q: How does the speaker use the metaphor of “two better hemispheres” in the poem?

A: The speaker uses the metaphor of “two better hemispheres” to represent himself and his beloved. This suggests that they complement each other perfectly, just like two halves of a sphere, and together they form a complete and perfect world.

Q: What does the speaker mean by “Whatever dies, was not mixed equally”?

A: By saying “Whatever dies, was not mixed equally”, the speaker suggests that anything that ends or dies lacked balance or equality. In the context of love, this could mean that a love that ends was not based on mutual feelings or efforts.

Q: How does the speaker express the idea of love’s transformative power in the poem?

A: The speaker expresses the idea of love’s transformative power by describing how their love has changed their perception of the world. They suggest that their love has made their past activities seem almost meaningless and has made their shared space feel as vast as the entire world. This underscores the idea that love can transform one’s life and perception of the world.

Essay Type Questions

Write the critical appreciation of the poem.

Introduction

“The Good-Morrow” is a metaphysical poem by John Donne that explores the theme of love in an intellectual and passionate manner. The poem is known for its complex and imaginative metaphors, which are characteristic of Donne’s metaphysical style.

Author’s Background

John Donne was an English poet and cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets, a group of 17th-century English poets who shared an interest in metaphysical concerns and a common way of investigating them. Donne’s works are noted for their strong, sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires, and sermons.

Form and Structure

“The Good-Morrow” is a unique sonnet that extends to twenty-one lines rather than the traditional fourteen. The poem is divided into three stanzas of seven lines each, following a rhyming pattern of ABABCCC. This structure contributes to the rhythm and flow of the poem, allowing the poet to develop his thoughts and ideas in a coherent and organized manner.

Speaker and Setting

The speaker in the poem is a lover who is expressing his deep and profound love for his beloved. The poem is a dramatic monologue, a type of poem in which a character speaks to a silent listener. As the poem progresses, the reader learns more about the speaker’s feelings and thoughts. The setting of the poem is intimate, likely a bedroom where the speaker and his beloved are together. This setting enhances the personal and private nature of the speaker’s reflections on their love.

Theme

The main theme of the poem is the transformative power of love. The speaker suggests that their love has brought about a profound change in their lives, making their past activities seem almost meaningless in comparison. This theme is explored through various metaphors and images throughout the poem, emphasizing the depth and intensity of the speaker’s love.

Plot

Tone

The tone of the poem is reflective and celebratory. The speaker reflects on their past and celebrates their present state of love. The tone is also sincere, as the speaker expresses their deep and genuine love for their beloved. This tone enhances the emotional depth of the poem and allows the reader to empathize with the speaker’s feelings.

Style

Poetic Devices

John Donne uses a variety of poetic devices in “The Good-Morrow”.

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things. In “The Good-Morrow”, Donne uses metaphors to express complex ideas about love. For example, he compares the lovers to two hemispheres forming a perfect world, suggesting that their love is complete and self-sufficient.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a line of poetry. In “The Good-Morrow”, Donne uses alliteration to enhance the rhythm and musicality of the poem.

Allusion

Allusion is a reference to another work of literature or historical event. In the poem, Donne alludes to the Seven Sleepers’ den, a Christian and Islamic legend, and to geographical discoveries of new lands in his time1. These allusions serve as metaphors for exploring the world of love.

Anaphora

Anaphora is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. In “The Good-Morrow”, Donne uses anaphora to emphasize certain points and add rhythm to the poem.

Personification

Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea, object, or animal is given human characteristics. While personification is not prominently used in “The Good-Morrow”, the poem does imbue love with human-like qualities, treating it as a transformative and all-encompassing entity.

Rhetorical Question

A rhetorical question is a question asked for effect, not requiring an answer. In “The Good-Morrow”, Donne uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader and provoke thought. For example, the speaker asks “Were we not weaned till then?” to reflect on their past before they fell in love.

Message

In conclusion, “The Good-Morrow” is a powerful exploration of love and its transformative power. Through its unique form, imaginative metaphors, profound themes, and use of various poetic devices, it offers a deep and insightful look into the nature of love. It stands as a testament to Donne’s mastery of metaphysical poetry and his ability to express complex ideas in a compelling and engaging manner.

The Good Morrow by John Donne | The Good Morrow | The Good Morrow John Donne | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | John Donne | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons

The Good Morrow by John Donne | The Good Morrow | The Good Morrow John Donne | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | John Donne | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons

The Good-Morrow

line-by-line explanation of the poem

Summary