To Althea, from Prison

Question 1

When love with unconfinèd wings

Answer 1

• his imagination liberates him from his surroundings

- metaphor with a bird

Question 2

Hovers within my gates,

Answer 2

• Althea hovers in his gates

Question 3

And my divine Althea brings

Answer 3

• Althea is perceived as a deity

Question 4

To whisper at the grates;

Answer 4

• connotations to intimacy

- re-united through imagination

Question 5

When I lie tangled in her hair,

Answer 5

• re-enforces the intimacy

Question 6

And fettered to her eye,

Answer 6

• re-enforces the intimacy

- imprisoned by her emotionally

Question 7

The Gods that wanton in the air,

Answer 7

• connotations of power

- freedom they possess

Question 8

Know no such liberty.

Answer 8

• the gods do not know the liberty he has

Question 9

When glowing cups run swiftly round

Answer 9

• connotations of camaraderie

- convivial (friendly) times drinking with friends

Question 10

Our careless heads with roses crown’d,

Answer 10

• carefree attitude

- conveys youthfulness and idealism

Question 11

Our hearts with loyal flames;

Answer 11

• loyalty to the king as young men

Question 12

When thirsty grief in wine we steep,

Answer 12

• drowning their sorrows in wine

Question 13

When healths and draughts go free -

Answer 13

• dash provokes thought before the next line

Question 14

Fishes that tipple in the deep

Answer 14

• metaphor comparing the amount that the men drink to fishes in the sea

Question 15

Know no such liberty.

Answer 15

• paradox reminder

Question 16

When (like committed linnets) I

Answer 16

• simile

- song birds in prison

Question 17

With shriller throat shall sing

Answer 17

-

Question 18

The sweetness, Mercy, Majesty

Answer 18

• harmonious sounds

Question 19

And glories of my king;

Answer 19

• harmonious sounds

Question 20

When I shall voice aloud how good

Answer 20

• he supports King Charles 1

Question 21

He is, how great should be,

Answer 21

-

Question 22

Englargèd winds, that curl the flood,

Answer 22

• he is powerfully voicing his opinion

Question 23

Know no such liberty.

Answer 23

• he is freer than any force of nature

Question 24

Stone walls do not a prison make,

Answer 24

• he has mentally escaped his prison

Question 25

Nor iron bars a cage;

Answer 25

• can not be imprisoned despite his surroundings

Question 26

Minds innocent and quiet take

Answer 26

• and innocent mind will find sanctuary when imprisoned

Question 27

That for an hermitage.

Answer 27

• a secluded cottage

Question 28

If I have freedom in my love,

Answer 28

• freedom of emotion

Question 29

And in my soul am free,

Answer 29

• freedom of emotion means freedom

Question 30

Angels alone soar above,

Answer 30

• he sees himself as free as the angels up above

Question 31

Enjoy such liberty.

Answer 31

• freedom is no different to the angels

Question 32

Overview

Answer 32

• Sets of 8 lines (octaves)
• ABABCDCD (restriction he faced in prison and monotony)
• Iambic tetrameter (dull and monotonous)
• paradox of freedom whilst still confined