Go and Catch a Falling Star
Song: Go and catch a falling star
The poem “Song: Go and catch a falling star” was written by the cherished poet, John Donne. In this satirical poem, through a series of images, he conveys his belief on the faithfulness, or rather the unfaithfulness of women. Donne’s use of diction, allusion, imagery, sound effects, and tone create a unique richness in the language of the poem, which make it enjoyable to read.
The denotations and connotations of this poem create more depth and richness. In line 5, the word “mermaid” denotes a beautiful, mythical creature. The first connotation that comes to mind is the myth because mermaids are usually thought to be fictional. This goes along with Donne’s message because he believes that finding a woman so perfect is impossible. The other connotation of the term “mermaids” is more negative because they can also connote death. Mermaids have been used in other literature to lead someone, usually men, to their downfall and death due to their initial innocent and alluring appearance. This connotation of mermaids goes along with Donne’s theme because the line where he hears “mermaids singing” is representing of the beauty of women luring men in false hope.
Other instances of the multiple connotations are in lines 3 and 4 with “a mandrake root” and “the devil’s foot”. Both a mandrake root and a devil’s foot are mythical plants. A mandrake is a plant that, when pulled out of the ground, lets out a piercing scream that can kill someone if heard. A devil’s foot is a plant that, when powdered and lit on fire, creates a noxious smoke that can kill someone if inhaled. One connotation of these is that they have very unrealistic properties, which is similar to Donne’s belief that faithfulness is unheard of in females. The line when “get with child a mandrake root” is stated is an obvious example of an impossible task, like Donne’s belief of finding a perfect woman. A connotation of a devil’s foot is satanic because it could
The poem “Song: Go and catch a falling star” was written by the cherished poet, John Donne. In this satirical poem, through a series of images, he conveys his belief on the faithfulness, or rather the unfaithfulness of women. Donne’s use of diction, allusion, imagery, sound effects, and tone create a unique richness in the language of the poem, which make it enjoyable to read.
The denotations and connotations of this poem create more depth and richness. In line 5, the word “mermaid” denotes a beautiful, mythical creature. The first connotation that comes to mind is the myth because mermaids are usually thought to be fictional. This goes along with Donne’s message because he believes that finding a woman so perfect is impossible. The other connotation of the term “mermaids” is more negative because they can also connote death. Mermaids have been used in other literature to lead someone, usually men, to their downfall and death due to their initial innocent and alluring appearance. This connotation of mermaids goes along with Donne’s theme because the line where he hears “mermaids singing” is representing of the beauty of women luring men in false hope.
Other instances of the multiple connotations are in lines 3 and 4 with “a mandrake root” and “the devil’s foot”. Both a mandrake root and a devil’s foot are mythical plants. A mandrake is a plant that, when pulled out of the ground, lets out a piercing scream that can kill someone if heard. A devil’s foot is a plant that, when powdered and lit on fire, creates a noxious smoke that can kill someone if inhaled. One connotation of these is that they have very unrealistic properties, which is similar to Donne’s belief that faithfulness is unheard of in females. The line when “get with child a mandrake root” is stated is an obvious example of an impossible task, like Donne’s belief of finding a perfect woman. A connotation of a devil’s foot is satanic because it could