In the poem The Sun Rising, John Donne’s use of the word 'eclipse' in line 13 implies what?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an interpretation of John Donne's use of the word 'eclipse' in his poem 'The Sun Rising'. The focus is on understanding the literary significance and implications of this particular word choice within the context of the poem.
Answer
The speaker implies he can block the sun with a mere blink, but refrains because it would mean not seeing his lover.
The use of the word 'eclipse' in line 13 implies that the speaker can diminish the sun's power by simply closing his eyes. However, he chooses not to do so to avoid losing sight of his lover.
Answer for screen readers
The use of the word 'eclipse' in line 13 implies that the speaker can diminish the sun's power by simply closing his eyes. However, he chooses not to do so to avoid losing sight of his lover.
More Information
In John Donne's 'The Sun Rising,' the speaker playfully asserts his power over the sun. By claiming he can eclipse the sun with a wink, he suggests human ability to shut out unwanted light; however, he does not want to lose sight of his beloved's eyes, which he values more.
Tips
A common mistake is to interpret 'eclipse' too literally without understanding the playful tone of the poem and the metaphorical use of language.
Sources
- The Sun Rising Summary & Analysis by John Donne - LitCharts - litcharts.com
- Donne's Poetry “The Sun Rising” Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes - sparknotes.com
- The Sun Rising: Famous Quotes Explained | SparkNotes - sparknotes.com
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