The Apparition

Question 1

Overview:

Answer 1

The poem reflects a scorned lover’s reaction to unrequited love. The main conceit of the poem is that the speaker will return to the lover as a ghost to take vengeance. The scorn of the lover takes on a broader criticism of women generally and their inconstancy.

Question 2

Form:

Answer 2

• Dramatic monologue - form allows the poetic voice to address the lover directly.
• varied metre - perhaps shows the uncertainty of the poetic voice.

Question 3

“From all solicitations from me, then shall my ghost come to thy bed”.

Answer 3

• “Solicitations” - suggests that before his death the speaker had pleaded with the lover to stay with him.
• Holds connotations of sexual advances and the arguments of a lawyer.
• Contextually drawn from Donne studying law at Lincolns Inn.

Question 4

“Feigned Vestal, in worse arms shall see”.

Answer 4

• “feigned” - in the modern sense connotes false - suggests that the woman is sexually experienced but lies to her future lovers.
• An archaic meaning is eager - both however hold somewhat misogynistic outlooks on women’s sexuality.

Question 5

“false sleep will from thee shrink”

Answer 5

• Explicit mockery - suggests that when the woman tries to wake her lover, he will pretend to be asleep to avoid any more sexual activity.

Question 6

“poor aspen wretch”

Answer 6

• Aspens a type of poplar tree renowned for the leaves shaking in the ind.
• Conveys the way that the woman will tremble as a result of the ghost’s appearance.

Question 7

“than by threatenings rest still innocent”

Answer 7

• Final reference to her still being innocent suggests that she will rest innocent of the knowledge of what the speaker will sat to her.
• It could also be subverting the earlier claims regarding her leathery.