Poem Analysis: Metaphors and Symbolism

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What is the speaker's request to the object of his affection in the poem?

To go on a picnic

To go fishing with him

To take a stroll by the river

To come live with him and be his wife (correct)

What is the indirect way the speaker describes the allure of his beloved?

Describing fish in pools and brooks (correct)

Singing a love song

Comparing her to a rose

Writing a love letter

What will happen to the fish if the beloved enters the water?

They will die

They will hide in the depths

They will follow her (correct)

They will swim away

How does the beloved attract others, according to the speaker?

Honestly, as her own bait Signup and view all the answers

What does the poem show about Donne's ability?

His ability to take a standard form and apply it to a traditional spiritual metaphor Signup and view all the answers

What is the traditional subject of a pastoral poem?

A shepherd or outdoorsman Signup and view all the answers

What replaces sheep and green fields in Donne's poem?

Fish and sparkling water Signup and view all the answers

What is the rhyme scheme of each stanza in the poem?

aabb Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's attitude towards the beloved by the end of the poem?

Wiser than himself Signup and view all the answers

What topic does the speaker shift to by the end of the stanzas?

Fishing hooks Signup and view all the answers

What is the spiritual meaning of the conceit in the poem?

The beloved is Jesus, who is the fisher of men Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the beloved's eyes in the second stanza?

They make the water 'Warm'd by thy eyes, more than the sun' Signup and view all the answers

What do the fish represent on the physical level?

Men who are taken by the woman's beauty Signup and view all the answers

What is the beloved's method of drawing in her prey?

Through her natural beauty Signup and view all the answers

What is the poet's comparison of himself to?

A fish that is caught by the beloved's charms Signup and view all the answers

What is the worldly analog to the false baits used by fishermen?

Promiscuous or deceitful women Signup and view all the answers

What is the spiritual analog to the false baits used by fishermen?

Demagogues or false preachers who deceive or make false promises Signup and view all the answers

What is the poet's conclusion about the beloved in the final stanza?

She needs no deceit to attract men Signup and view all the answers

What is the poet's attitude towards the beloved at the end of the poem?

He is deeply in love with her Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the poem?

Metaphysical and spiritual Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's intention in using the metaphor of fishing?

To express the speaker's desire to be caught by the beloved Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'live bath' in the poem?

A symbol of the beloved's inner beauty Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the 'inamor'd fish' in the poem?

They are captivated by the beloved's charm Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's attitude towards the methods used by other fishermen?

Disdain for their deceitfulness Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the line 'For thou thy selfe art thine owne bait'?

The speaker is saying that the beloved's beauty is the key to attracting others Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall tone of the poem's language and imagery?

Sensual and seductive Signup and view all the answers