Remember

Question 1

Remember me (first line)

Answer 1

Begins with speaker addressing lover with a singular (seemingly) straightforward request

Question 2

When I am gone away,
Gone far away

Answer 2

Repetition of phrase - emphasises the distant unreachable place the speaker is going to, highlighting the permanent disconnection of death

Question 3

Silent land

Answer 3

Euphemism for death/afterlife

Question 4

Repetition of “remember me”

Answer 4

Repetition of the central request indicates the speaker’s hope of everlasting love, also conveys the finality of the poems message (speaker will likely never be seen again)

Question 5

Half turn to go yet turning stay

Answer 5

Hesitation conveyed here - suggests the speaker’s fear and uncertainty at their coming death, speaker doesn’t want to die and leave their beloved

Question 6

When no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned

Answer 6

Death is described as by what is “no more” - emphasises the loss that death brings, adds a morose tone
Mentions a future that will never happen - tone of anguish and acceptance, despite this fear, speaker is ready to let lover go and face death

Question 7

Only remember me… it will be late to counsel then or pray

Answer 7

Strong defeatist tone - sad resignation to their future death, speaker is powerless

Question 8

Yet if you should forget me for a while… do not grieve

Answer 8

Changes her mind - this change of view/feeling is similar to the transition from life to death
Speaker holds no resentment towards lover if they forget - level of understanding and compassion that suggests a very close relationship

Question 9

Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad

Answer 9

Poem ends on an accepting note
End of the relationship is clearly painful for the speaker, however in the final lines they appear assured in their decision

Question 10

Continued use of direct address (and pronouns “you” and “I”)

Answer 10

Shows the poem is intended for a loved one
Repetition of “you” and “I”, but “we” and “us” markedly absent, emphasising the permanence of the end of the relationship

Question 11

Structure

Answer 11

Poem strictly follows a petrarchan sonnet form - speaker’s control of emotion is reflected in this structure
Strict iambic pentameter - further reflecting the speaker’s restraint