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Poetry
INTRODUCTION
A poem is a composition in verse, usually
characterised by concentrated and
heightened language in which words are
chosen for their sound and suggestive power
as well as for their meaning, and using
techniques such as rhythm and metre. To
read and hear good poetry is to appreciate the
subtleties of cadence and rhythm, the variety
of pace and pattern and all that goes to make
up the music of poetry.
Every poem that we read adds to, in some
degree, our total conception of poetry.
Of the eight poets in this selection, four are
from the classical tradition: Donne, Milton,
Blake and Coleridge. The other four are
closer to contemporary times: Yeats,
A.K.Ramanujan, Emily Dickinson and
Kamala Das.
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1
A Lecture Upon the Shadow
Shadow
John Donne was representative of the
metaphysical poets of his time. He set the
metaphysical mode by vibrancy of language
and startling imagery, and a preference for
a diction modelled on direct utterances. He
was brought up as a Roman Catholic (later
he converted to Anglicanism), and was Dean
of St. Paul’s Church till his death.
The total effect of a metaphysical poem at its
best is to startle the reader into seeing and
knowing what he has not really noticed or
thought about before. Like all Donne’s poetry
this poem too reflects an emphasis on the
intellect and wit as against feeling and John Donne
emotion. 1572-1631
Stand still and I will read to thee
A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy,
These three houres that we have spent,
Walking here, Two shadowes went
Along with us, which we our selves produc’d;
But, now the Sunne is just above our head,
We doe those shadowes tread;
And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc’d.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,
From us, and our cares; but now ’tis not so.
That love hath not attain’d the high’st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.
Except our loves at this noone stay,
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We shall new shadowes make the other way.
As the first were made to blinde
Others; these which come behinde
Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;
To me thou, falsely thine;
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadowes were away,
But these grow longer all the day,
But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.
Love is a growing, or full constant light;
And his first minute, after noone, is night.
Understanding the Poem
1. How do the shadows before noon differ from the shadows after
noon? What do the two kinds of shadow represent?
2. Love is described as light. What makes the poet talk about
shadows?
3. Comment on the use of the image of the shadows for the idea
that the poet wants to convey.
4. The poet seems to be addressing his beloved in the poem. What
is the message he wishes to convey to her?
5. Instead of ‘A Lecture Upon Love’ the poet calls the poem ‘A
Lecture Upon the Shadow’. What is the effect that this has on
our reading of the poem?
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93/A LECTURE UPON THE SHADOW
Language Work
1. Notice the spelling of the following words
houres shadowes Sunne
noone clearnesse behinde
The ‘e’ that was used in Donne’s period got dropped from English
orthography later. Pick out the other words in the poem that
have this peculiar feature.
2. Take note also that the apostrophe is not used for indicating
the possessive form: loves philosophy.
3. Examples from other poems from this period:
• How neatly doe we give one onely name
• To parents issue and the sunnes bright starre!
Try this out
Notice the adjectives in phrases such as ‘infant loves’ and
‘brave clearnesse’. What is the meaning of these adjectives
(i) in isolation
(ii) as part of these phrases.
Suggested Reading
‘Go and Catch a Falling Star’ by John Donne
‘The Flea’ by John Donne.
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