This is my play’s last scene Questions Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of the poem “This is my play’s last scene”?
The author of the poem is John Donne.
What is the form of the poem?
The poem is a sonnet.
Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker in the poem is the poet himself, John Donne.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBACDCDEE.
How does the speaker view death in the poem?
The speaker views death as a transition from earthly life to a spiritual existence.
What does the speaker say about the separation of the body and soul?
The speaker says that death will separate his “earth-born” body from his soul.
What does the speaker say about God’s judgment?
The speaker expresses fear of God’s judgment after death.
What is the poem about?
Contemplation of death and the afterlife
How does the speaker describe the current moment in the first line?
As the last scene of their life’s play
What does the speaker compare their life’s journey to in the second line?
A pilgrimage
How does the speaker characterize the pace of their race in the third line?
Idly, yet quickly run
What will death do according to the speaker?
Instantly unjoint body and soul
What does the speaker anticipate seeing after death?
A face that instills fear
Where does the soul take flight to in line nine?
Heaven, its first seat
What happens to the earthly body after death?
It dwells in the earth
What does the speaker wish for their sins in line eleven?
To fall so that they may have their right
Where do the sins want to press the speaker, according to line twelve?
To hell
What does the speaker hope for in the last two lines?
To be imputed as righteous and purged of evil
According to the last line, what is the speaker leaving behind?
The world, the flesh, the devil
What is the overall tone of the poem?
Reflective and contemplative
What is the form of the poem?
A sonnet
What religious themes are present in the poem?
Death, afterlife, purification, righteousness
What is the significance of the word “pilgrimage” in the poem?
It symbolizes the journey of life
How does the speaker view death in the poem?
As a separation of body and soul
What three entities does the speaker leave behind in the last line?
The world, the flesh, the devil
Short Answer Questions
What is the setting of the poem?
The setting of the poem is not explicitly mentioned, but it revolves around the speaker’s impending death.
What are the main themes of the poem?
The main themes of the poem are death, the separation of the body and soul in death, and fear of death and God’s judgment.
What is the plot of the poem?
The poem begins with the speaker stating that he is in the last mile of his life. He knows that God has declared the beginning and end of his life and he’s happy to accept those limitations.
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 death is not to be feared, but seen as a transition from earthly life to a spiritual existence.
What does the speaker say about the nature of death?
The speaker suggests that death is a transition from earthly life to a spiritual existence.
What does the speaker say about his life?
The speaker says that he is in the last mile of his life and accepts the limitations set by God.
What does the speaker say about his acceptance of death?
The speaker says that he is happy to accept the limitations set by God, including his impending death.
What does the speaker say about his fear of death?
The speaker suggests that death is not to be feared, but seen as a transition to a spiritual existence.
What does the speaker say about his faith in the afterlife?
The speaker expresses faith in the promise of eternal life and the purification of the soul after death.
What does the speaker say about the end of his life?
The speaker says that he is in the last mile of his life.
What does the speaker say about his spiritual existence after death?
The speaker expresses faith in the promise of eternal life and the purification of the soul after death.
What does the speaker compare his life to in the poem?
The speaker compares his life to a play, a pilgrimage, and a race. These metaphors suggest that the speaker sees his life as a journey with a clear destination, which is death.
What does the speaker personify in the poem?
The speaker personifies death in the poem by calling it “gluttonous.” This suggests that death is a powerful and unstoppable force.
What does the speaker contrast in the poem?
The speaker contrasts his mortal body and immortal soul in the poem. He suggests that the body is mortal but the soul is immortal.
What does the speaker ask God to do in the poem?
The speaker asks God to “impute him righteous,” meaning to declare him righteous. He believes that he has been purged of evil through his faith in God.
What is the overall tone of the poem?
The overall tone of the poem is one of resignation and acceptance. The speaker knows that he must die, but he is not afraid. He is confident in his faith and in God’s forgiveness.
What is the poem about?
The poem is about the speaker’s acceptance of death and his confidence in God’s forgiveness.
What is the significance of the title of the poem?
The title of the poem, “Holy Sonnets: This is my play’s last scene,” suggests that the speaker is seeing his death as a final scene in a play. This is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the time that we have.
What are some of the themes of the poem?
Some of the themes of the poem include death and the afterlife, faith and hope, and the nature of good and evil.
What are some of the poetic devices that Donne uses in the poem?
Donne uses a variety of poetic devices in the poem, including alliteration, personification, and metaphor. These devices help to create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader’s mind.
What is the significance of the poem’s last line?
The poem’s last line, “For thus I leave the world, the flesh, and the devil,” is a reference to the three temptations that Jesus faced in the desert. By saying this, the speaker is expressing his confidence that he has overcome these temptations and that he is now ready to face death.
