GO AND CATCH (STRUCTURE/FORM/CONTEXT)

Question 1

What is the summary of Go and Catch a Falling Star?

Answer 1

• The poem describes impossible tasks (catching a falling star) to highlight the unattainability of finding a faithful and beautiful woman.
  It reflects Donne’s cynical view of love.

Question 2

What are the main themes of the poem?

Answer 2

1. Critique of Platonic Love.
2. Futility and disillusionment.
3. Desiring the unattaible (knowledege, love)
4. Gender Roles

Question 3

How is the theme of ‘desiring the unattainable’ explored?

Answer 3

• The quest for a perfect woman is used as a metaphor for the larger, impossible pursuit of ultimate truths, and perfect ideals.
• This pursuit reflects the human desire for trancendence.

Question 4

How does the speaker critique of Platonic or idealized love?

Answer 4

• Donne challenges the notion of perfect, unblemished love, suggesting that it is unrealistic.
• Perhaps encouraging readers to to question societal or philosophical expectations about perfection in relationships.

Question 5

How does the poem explore gender dynamics?

Answer 5

• The speaker reduces woman as symbols of unattainable perfection and unfaithfulness (rather than complex beings)
• Reflecting a deep skepticism towards female fidelity.

OR commenting on the dissonance between the idealized roles women were expected to play and the reality of human imperfection.

Question 6

How does the poem explore futility and dissilusionment?

Answer 6

• By comparing idealised love as a long ardous pilgrimage that yeilds no results.
• Emphasizing the impossibility of achieving perfect love or uncovering ultimate truths.

Question 7

“Get with child a mandrake root” - (meaning)

Answer 7

• Mandrake- used in witchcraft. Associated with fertility.
• Impossible/ undesirable task- highlighting the fanatacism/strangeness of the request.

Question 8

” All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear,
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.” meaning.

Answer 8

• Structurally placed in the end of the stanza to further the idea of something being constantly beyond reach.
• Even the mention of the idea of a fair women is treated as a humorous after-thought = deep cynicism.