The Relic

Question 1

Overview:

Answer 1

Donne takes the image of a grave digger finding a wreath of hair in a grave being found and taken as a relic to reflect the spiritual nature of their love. The speaker presents the love of the couple as reflecting such perfection that the two are canonised. The love is not conveyed as being physical but rather being platonic.

Question 2

Context:

Answer 2

• Relics - body parts of saints - venerations of relics were a key part of catholicism.
• Protestants - rejected the worship of relics.
• It was common during the Elizabethan period to reuse graves - Donne uses the concept humorously.

Question 3

“Some second guest to entertain”.

Answer 3

• Somewhat light hearted and mocking tone approaching something fairly morbid.

Question 4

“A bracelet of bright hair about the bone”

Answer 4

• Suggests brightness - wealth and vitality.
• Plosives - makes the bracelets stand out.

Question 5

“will bring us to the bishop and the king”

Answer 5

• Reference to both catholicism and protestantism.
• Noting that their faith is so special that both sides of christianity would recognise its importance and venerate it.

Question 6

“the thou shalt be a Mary Magladen”

Answer 6

• Mary Magdalen - known for washing Jesus’ feet with her hair.
• Also thought to be a prostitute - allows for Donne to retain a sexual element of their relationship whilst also recognising a saintly identification.

Question 7

“I would have that age by this paper taught/ what miracles harmless lovers rought”

Answer 7

• suggestion that the poem itself will become a relic - a representation of the affection of the lovers.

Question 8

“Our hands never touched the seals”

Answer 8

• referring to a broader liturgical image.
• unbroken relationship - refers to the platonic nature of the relationship.

Question 9

Form:

Answer 9

• Regularity - could convey the persistence of their love.
• Frequent change in metre - change in arguments.