Good Morrow By John Donne

“Good Morrow” is a poem by John Donne, a 17th-century English poet. Here is the text of the poem:-

I wonder by my troth what thou and 

Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?

But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?

Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?

‘Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.

If ever any beauty I did see,

Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.

And now good morrow to our waking souls,

Which watch not one another out of fear;

For love, all love of other sights controls,

And makes one little room an everywhere.

Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone;

Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown;

Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.

My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,

And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;

Where can we find two better hemispheres,

Without sharp North, without declining West?

Whatever dies was not mixed equally;

If our two loves be one, or, thou and I

Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.

Introduction of about “John Donne”

John Donne was a clever and imaginative English poet who lived a long time ago, from 1572 to 1631. He was known for his unique way of writing and his clever use of words. Donne didn’t start off as a poet; he began his career as a lawyer and even worked as a diplomat. However, his true passion lay in writing poems that explored deep and complex ideas about love, spirituality, and life.

Donne’s poems are often filled with witty language and inventive metaphors, making them interesting and sometimes a bit challenging to understand. He liked to play with words and express deep thoughts in a way that made people think.

One of Donne’s famous works is the poem “Good Morrow,” which we talked about earlier. In his poems, he often tackled big ideas, blending emotion with intellect in a way that made his poetry both profound and entertaining. Donne’s unique style and exploration of deep themes have left a lasting impact, making him an important figure in English literature.

Summary Of this Poem “Good Morrow”

“Good Morrow” by John Donne is a love poem where the speaker reflects on life before falling in love. The speaker wonders what they were doing before finding love and suggests it was like childish and simple pleasures. The poem highlights that those experiences were like dreams compared to the real love the speaker now shares.

In the morning of awakened souls, the poem talks about how love makes a small space feel like everywhere, symbolizing the closeness between the lovers. The speaker rejects fears of separation, saying that love controls such worries.

The poem mentions explorers and maps to convey that, while others may seek new experiences, the speaker values the shared world of love with their beloved.

The last part uses the metaphor of faces as hemispheres, suggesting complete unity in love. The speaker expresses the idea that if their love is true and undivided, it will not weaken or die. Overall, the poem celebrates the transformative power of love and the deep connection it creates between two people.

figures of speech found in the poem “Good Morrow” by John Donne

1. Metaphor:
   • Example: “Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone; Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown;”
   • Explanation: In these lines, the exploration of new worlds and the reference to maps serve as metaphors. The poet is using these images to convey that while others may seek new experiences and discover different places, the speaker values the world of love shared with the beloved.
2. Metaphor:
   • Example: “And makes one little room an everywhere.”
   • Explanation: This metaphor suggests that the power of love transforms a small space into a boundless and meaningful universe. The “little room” becomes a symbol of the intimate world the lovers share, expanding beyond physical boundaries.
3. Personification:
   • Example: “And now good morrow to our waking souls,”
   • Explanation: The poet personifies the souls, attributing them the ability to “wake up” as if they were living entities. This personification adds a sense of vitality to the abstract concept of the awakening of their souls.
4. Simile:
   • Example: “But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?“
   • Explanation: The comparison using “as” or “like” is not explicitly present in this line, but the poet is making a simile by comparing their past experiences to childish indulgence in country pleasures. It emphasizes the innocence and simplicity of their previous lives before love.
5. Metaphysical Conceit:
   • Example: “My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,”
   • Explanation: This line presents a metaphysical conceit, a complex and extended metaphor. The idea that their faces are reflected in each other’s eyes suggests a profound unity and interconnection between the lovers, going beyond the literal reflection.

These figures of speech contribute to the richness of the poem by adding depth and imaginative qualities to the poet’s expression of love and introspection.

Theme Of this Poem “Good Morrow”

The theme of “Good Morrow” by John Donne is all about the discovery and power of true love. The speaker reflects on life before finding love and compares it to a kind of childlike innocence. Once in love, everything changes. The morning, or “morrow,” symbolizes the awakening of their souls to a new, profound connection.

The poem emphasizes the idea that real love erases fears and boundaries. The speaker dismisses past pleasures as mere illusions compared to the genuine love experienced with the beloved. The love shared between the speaker and the beloved is portrayed as all-encompassing, making their shared space feel like it’s everywhere.

There’s also a sense of exclusivity in their love, highlighted by the rejection of exploring new worlds. Instead, the focus is on possessing and cherishing the one world they have created together. The imagery of faces as hemispheres suggests a complete and harmonious union, free from uncertainties.

In simpler terms, “Good Morrow” is a celebration of the transformative and unifying power of love, portraying it as something that changes the way we see the world and brings profound fulfillment and unity between two people.

Analysis Of This Poem Each Stanza

Stanza 1:

Summary: The speaker wonders what life was like before they fell in love. They consider if they were like children, enjoying simple pleasures, or if they were like the Seven Sleepers, a reference to a legendary group of sleepers in a cave. The speaker concludes that everything before their love was like a dream compared to the reality of their beloved.

Stanza 2

Summary: The speaker greets the morning (morrow) of their awakened souls. Love erases fears, and they no longer need to watch each other anxiously. Love is so powerful that it controls their attention, making their small space feel like the entire world. The speaker rejects the idea of exploring new worlds, emphasizing the value of their shared world.

Stanza 3:

Summary: The speaker describes the reflection of their faces in each other’s eyes, suggesting a deep connection. The hearts in their faces are true and straightforward. The comparison of faces to hemispheres signifies completeness, without any harsh or declining aspects. The speaker ponders the nature of their love, suggesting that if their love is true and equal, it cannot weaken or die.

Overall:

“Good Morrow” is a poem celebrating the discovery and power of true love. It portrays love as transformative, erasing fears and boundaries, creating a shared world that feels complete and harmonious. The poem emphasizes the profound unity between two individuals in love.

Rhyme Scheme Of this Poem Good Morrow By John Donne

“Good Morrow” by John Donne, the rhyme scheme for each stanza is AABBCCDD. This means that the first and second lines rhyme with each other, the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other, and so on. The consistent rhyme scheme gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality.

Critical Appreciation Of this Poem “Good Morrow By John Donne”

“Good Morrow” by John Donne is a beautiful poem that explores the transformative power of true love. Let’s appreciate the poem with a focus on its language, themes, and emotional impact.

1. Language and Imagery:
Donne’s use of language is rich and vivid. The poem is filled with metaphors and imagery that paint a picture of the profound nature of love. Phrases like “snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den” and “Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone” create a vibrant and imaginative atmosphere.

2. Theme of Love:
The central theme is the discovery and celebration of genuine love. Donne compares the speaker’s past experiences to mere fantasies before finding true love. The metaphor of the morning, or “morrow,” symbolizes the awakening of the souls to a deeper connection. The poem beautifully captures the idea that real love transforms and enriches life.

3. Unity and Exclusivity of Love:
The poem emphasizes the exclusivity of the love shared between the speaker and the beloved. The rejection of exploring new worlds suggests a focus on cherishing and possessing the unique world they have created together. The imagery of faces as hemispheres signifies a complete and harmonious union.

4. Emotional Impact:
The poem evokes strong emotions through its passionate language and expressions of love. The speaker’s reflection on the insignificance of past pleasures in comparison to the true love experienced adds a deep emotional layer. The poem resonates with readers as it captures the universal and timeless theme of love’s transformative power.

5. Structure and Rhyme Scheme:
The poem’s structure with consistent AABBCCDD rhyme scheme contributes to its musical quality. The rhythmic flow enhances the overall impact of the verses, making it a pleasure to read and listen to.

In conclusion, “Good Morrow” is a masterpiece that celebrates the profound beauty of love. Donne’s masterful use of language, vivid imagery, and emotional depth make this poem a timeless exploration of the transformative and unifying power of genuine love.

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