The Sunne Rising by John Donne Questions Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of “The Sun Rising”?
The author of “The Sun Rising” is John Donne.
What is the form of “The Sun Rising”?
“The Sun Rising” is a metaphysical love poem.
Who is the speaker in “The Sun Rising”?
The speaker in “The Sun Rising” is a lover lying in bed with his beloved.
What is the setting of “The Sun Rising”?
The setting of “The Sun Rising” is in the bedroom of the lovers.
What is the main theme of “The Sun Rising”?
The main theme of “The Sun Rising” is the power of love.
What is the tone of “The Sun Rising”?
The tone of “The Sun Rising” is playful and defiant.
How does the speaker address the sun in “The Sun Rising”?
The speaker addresses the sun as a ‘busy old fool’ and ‘unruly’.
Why does the speaker address the sun in this way?
The speaker scolds the sun for disturbing him and his lover.
What is meant by “court-huntsmen”?
“Court-huntsmen” refers to courtiers who accompanied the King in hunting.
What does the phrase “country ants” mean?
“Country ants” refers to farmers of the countryside who are as busy as ants.
What is meant by the phrase “the rags of time”?
“The rags of time” refers to subdivisions of time into larger units like ‘seasons’ and ‘climes’, and smaller units like ‘hours’, ‘days’, and ‘months’.
What idea does the sun have about its beams?
The sun thinks that its beams deserve respect and are strong in nature.
What does the lover mean by ‘eclipse’ and ‘cloud’?
By ‘eclipse’, the lover means the blotting out of the sun, and by ‘cloud’, he means the lessening of its brightness.
Whose eyes can blind the sun’s eyes?
The excessively shining eyes of the mistress can render the power of the sun’s eyes useless.
Why does the lover ask the sun to look ‘tomorrow late’?
The lover does not want to be disturbed so early in the morning.
What do ‘both the Indies’ refer to?
‘Both the Indies’ refer to the East Indies (popularly believed to be a home of spices) and the West Indies (popularly associated with gold mines).
Will the sun see ‘both the Indies’ where he left them yesterday?
The sun will not see ‘both the Indies’ where he left them yesterday because they will come to the mistress to be wholly absorbed in her.
What is the structure of “The Sun Rising”?
“The Sun Rising” is a 30-line poem divided into three stanzas, each containing ten lines.
What is the rhyme scheme of “The Sun Rising”?
The rhyme scheme of “The Sun Rising” is ABBACDCDEE in each stanza.
What is the message of “The Sun Rising”?
The message of “The Sun Rising” is that love is a powerful force that transcends all, even time and space.
Short Answer Questions
Who is the speaker of the poem addressing?
The speaker is addressing the sun, personifying it as an entity that can understand and respond to their feelings.
Why is the speaker upset with the sun?
The speaker is upset with the sun because it is intruding on their private moment of love. They believe that their love is more powerful than the sun’s light, and that the sun should not be bothering them.
What does the speaker compare their love to in the second stanza?
The speaker compares their love to the wealth and power of kings. They suggest that their love is even more valuable than these worldly possessions.
What challenge does the speaker issue to the sun in the second stanza?
The speaker challenges the sun to prove that its light is more powerful than their love. They suggest that if the sun can eclipse their love, then it is truly worthy of their attention.
What is the significance of the speaker’s use of the word “sphere” in the final line of the poem?
The speaker’s use of the word “sphere” suggests that their love is a complete and self-contained world. They believe that their love is the center of the universe, and that nothing else matters.
What is the theme of the poem?
The theme of the poem is the power of love. The speaker believes that love is the most important thing in the world, and that it is capable of overcoming all obstacles.
What is the significance of the setting of the poem?
The setting of the poem is a private moment between the speaker and their beloved. This setting emphasizes the intimacy of their love and the importance of their relationship.
What is the significance of the imagery of the sun in the poem?
The imagery of the sun is used to contrast with the power of love. The speaker believes that their love is even more powerful than the sun, which is a symbol of power and authority.
What is the significance of the repetition of the word “love” in the poem?
The repetition of the word “love” emphasizes the importance of this concept to the speaker. They are constantly reaffirming their belief in the power of love.
What is the effect of the speaker’s use of hyperbolic language in the poem?
The speaker’s use of hyperbolic language adds to the intensity and passion of the poem. Their exaggerated claims emphasize the depth of their love and their belief in its power.
What is the effect of the speaker’s use of personification in the poem?
The speaker’s use of personification makes the sun seem more relatable and understandable. This allows the speaker to engage in a dialogue with the sun, as if it were another person.
What is the significance of the poem’s title?
The poem’s title, “The Sun Rising,” suggests that the speaker’s love is like the sun, rising to prominence and illuminating their world. It also suggests that their love is a new beginning, full of hope and promise.
What is the overall message of the poem?
The overall message of the poem is that love is the most powerful force in the universe. It can overcome all obstacles, and it is the source of true happiness and fulfilment.
