Lecture on John Donne's 'The Sun Rising'

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to John Donne's poem 'The Sun Rising' and his poetic style.

Metaphysical Poetry

A style of poetry that employs elaborate metaphors and philosophical themes, exemplified by John Donne.

Aubade

A poem or piece of music appropriate to the dawn or morning, often lamenting the end of a romantic night.

Personification

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities; in this poem, the sun is personified as a 'busy old fool'.

Rags of time

A metaphor used in the poem to suggest that hours, days, and months are trivial compared to love.

Eclipse

A reference used in the poem indicating the speaker's desire to overshadow the sun, emphasizing the power of love over natural elements.

Contemporary Politics

John Donne's political career was impacted by his secret marriage, which led to his arrest and subsequent career shift to the clergy.

Cleric

A member of the clergy; after his political career ended, Donne became a cleric in the Church of England.

Imagery

Descriptive language used to evoke visual representations in the reader's mind, prominent in Donne’s poetry.

Juxtaposition

The placing of contrasting elements side by side; in this poem, juxtaposition highlights love's supremacy over worldly matters.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences; Donne's syntax reflects emotional intensity.

Couplet

Two consecutive rhymed lines of poetry; the poem concludes with a memorable couplet that encapsulates its themes.

Irony

A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning; present in Donne's bold claims about love.

Emotional intensity

The depth of feelings expressed in poetry; in 'The Sun Rising,' it showcases deep romantic affection.

Sacred vs Profane

A common theme in Donne’s poetry, illustrating the conflict between spiritual and earthly love.