Desire

Question 1

UMBRELLA

Answer 1

In both “Loves Philosophy” and “I Think Of Thee” the poets represent desire as strong and uncontrollable.

Question 2

TS1

Answer 2

Both poems use natural imagery in order to convey their desire for each other and longing for intimacy.

Question 3

TS2

Answer 3

Both poems refer to biblical imagery in order to express their feelings of intimacy and desire for their love object.

Question 4

TS3

Answer 4

Whilst in “Loves Philosophy” the structure is continuous which reflects the constant desire, in “ I Think Of Thee” the stanzaic structure is broken in order to convey the burning desire and loss of control.

Question 5

“my thoughts do twine and bud” I THINK OF THEE

Answer 5

L = metaphor
I = 1) her desire is not only cerebral
2) maybe physical -intimate

Question 6

“fountains mingles with the river” LOVES PHILOSOPHY

Answer 6

C R = euphemism had to be used as explicitly referring to sex would be shocking for a Georgian reader.
- suggests sex is natural
C = Natural imagery is classic of a poet.

Question 7

” wild vines around a tree’ I THINK OF THEE

Answer 7

L = extended metaphor

• symbolises her love object as vines on a tree
• shows how the love object is the centre of her life and she can’t stop thinking about him

Question 8

“law divine” LOVES PHILOSOPHY

Answer 8

• god’s law
• god has created the world, all things must reproduce to ensure continuation of species
  D = the speaker is trying to say that sexual intercourse is sanctioned by God
  C = ironic as poet is atheist

Question 9

“my palm tree” I THINK OF THEE

Answer 9

L = possessive pronoun - displays feeling of control over lover due to pure desire
C = palm trees are biblical and religious - poet was brought up in a christian household.
D = palm trees were laid down for Jesus, she worships him

Question 10

“mountains kiss high heaven” LOVES PHILOSOPHY

Answer 10

L = personification - trying to persuade her sex is heavenly and not a sin
C = sex out of marriage was frowned upon

Question 11

“instantly renew thy presence” I THINK OF THEE

Answer 11

L = the imperative adverb -  shows a instant and urgent desire for him to be physically there 
R = reader would be shocked as females weren't useably the catalysts for relationships - patriarchal society

Question 12

Tri - Metre LOVES PHILOSOPHY

Answer 12

Structure: emphasizes how they should be together

Question 13

Rhetorical questions at end of each stanza LOVES PHILOSOPHY

Answer 13

shows he is desperate and wants to make her question herself why she isn’t letting him seduce her - trying to pressure her into a relationship

Question 14

Patrachan Sonnet I THINK OF THEE

Answer 14

Structure: The poem is a patrachan sonnet - therefore there is a sestet and octave. In many patrachan sonnets there is a VOLTA that signifies a change in focus. The VOLTA come EARLY to represent her impatience and desire to see him.