The Sun Rising Flashcards
(6 cards)
1
Q
Overview:
A
Donne here subverts the traditional aubade, addressing the sun rather than his lover. The speaker of the poem addresses the sun, chiding it for its intrusion of the lovers. The poem more broadly considers the importance of the spiritual rather than the physical.
2
Q
“Busy old fool, unruly sun.”
A
- monosyllabic address to the sun.
- subverting the typical aubade that was addressed to the lover on parting - here the speaker wishes to stay.
- disdainful tone established and carries on through the entire poem.
- exerts his power over the sun by assuring that merely closing his eyes “could eclipse and cloud” the suns authority.
- Chooses however not to do so as he wishes to continue looking at his lover.
3
Q
“she’s all states and princes I/ nothing else is.”
A
- Microcosmic image - the couple represent the entire world.
- imperial image may be viewed from a 21st century audience as being somewhat misogynistic - in actual fact probably more to flatter the woman.
- Also implies that their love has been consolidated in the lovers bed.
4
Q
“This bed thy centre is, these walls thy sphere.”
A
- microcosmic image.
- Further enforces the idea that he and his lover represent the entire world.
- Essentially shows the lovers triumphing over the sun with the sun only being “half as happy as we”.
5
Q
Context:
A
- 17th century notion of the great chain of being - the sun ranked highly, the speakers diminishing of these undermines the authority of the Great Chain of Being and puts him closer to being christ like than the son.
-Reference to the empire and discovery perhaps derived from the fact that Elizebeth I court was concerned with discovery - Donne joined Sir Walter Raleigh on an expedition to Cadiz.
6
Q
Form:
A
- Challenges the literary convention of the aubade.
- lack of structured rhyme scheme - suggests Donne’s manipulation of the natural order of the universe by putting himself above the Sun.
