Love's Philosophy

Question 1

Author:

Answer 1

Shelley (he)

Question 2

‘The fountains mingle with the river’

- NATURE

Answer 2

Introduces his first ‘nature’ image.
The ‘fountains’ refer to flowing water - suggests natural forces. Human emotions, particularly love, also flow like the fountain.
‘Fountain’ also suggests something that cannot be contained, it overflows into various levels and is unending.

Question 3

‘Sunlight clasps the earth’ and ‘Moonbeams kiss the sea’

- NATURE

Answer 3

Syntactic parallels - gives a rhythmic unity to the meaning.
The repetition has built to a dramatic climax, reinforced by ‘And’ at the beginning of both lines.

Question 4

‘If thou kiss not me?’

- DISTANCE

Answer 4

Monosyllabic line, and only has 5 syllables - increases impact of question.
Separated from rest of poem, just as narrator is separated from his lover.

Question 5

‘No sister-flower would be forgiven’

• FAMILY RELATIONSHIP
• NATURE

Answer 5

Expressing other human relationships as a flower - potentially to convince lover his intentions are non-sexual.
Compressed noun modifier ‘sister-flower’ shows lack of love towards narrator goes against God’s law - unforgivable.

Question 6

‘Nothing in the world is single’

• DISTANCE
• NATURE

Answer 6

Philosophy that drives poem.

Everything in this world is connected, rivers and oceans, and people.

Question 7

Compare with:

Answer 7

Winter Swans - natural imagery to express love

Porphyria’s Lover / The Farmer’s Bride - sense of longing with desire and frustration