5 Questions
Who is the speaker addressing in the poem?
The sun
What does the speaker mean by 'feign'd deaths'?
Temporary deaths
What does the speaker say about the sun's desire and sense?
The sun has no desire or sense
What does the speaker say about man's power?
Man's power is feeble
What happens to the speaker's life's blood when the addressee weeps?
It decays
Study Notes
Speaker and Addressee
- The speaker is addressing a person they care about, possibly a loved one.
Feign'd Deaths
- The speaker refers to "feign'd deaths" as a metaphor for the emotional pain and desperation they experience when separated from the addressee.
The Sun's Desire and Sense
- The speaker describes the sun as having a desire and sense, implying that even the sun is aware of the speaker's emotional state and longs for their reunion with the addressee.
Man's Power
- The speaker asserts that man's power is limited, unlike the sun's ability to affect the speaker's emotions.
The Speaker's Life's Blood
- When the addressee weeps, the speaker's "life's blood" (their vital energy or emotional well-being) is drained or affected.
Test your knowledge of the poem "Sweetest love, I do not go" with this quiz. Engage with the themes of love, mortality, and the use of jest in the poem as you answer questions on its meaning and literary devices.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
