The+Apparition

THE APPARITION

· Here, Donne says that if his mistress scorns him, is as good as murder. If she thinks that by doing so she will be free, she is wrong. · His ghost will come back to haunt her when she is making love to another man. · Donne uses “solicitation” rather than proposal in order to avoid any matrimonial denotations and to suggest an impersonal, businesslike relationship. This further reiterates his hatred towards her. · Donne often treated women with contempt when they gave themselves easily (cross-reference to ‘Go and Catch a Falling Star’).
 * Introduction: **
 * From his collection, ‘Songs and Sonnets’.
 * This poem can be classified under Metaphysical poetry.
 * Overview – Through this poem, Donne describes a situation where he has been scorned by his mistress. He says that this is as good as murdering him. He warns her that his ghost will come back to haunt her when she is making love to another man.
 * The reader sees his bitterness toward his mistress through his use of similes, metaphors and conceits.
 * Seems like a Petrarchan form of poetry where rejected lover admires mistress from afar. However, here Donne is intervening in her personal life.
 * The reader sees his bitterness toward his mistress through his use of similes, metaphors and conceits.
 * Seems like a Petrarchan form of poetry where rejected lover admires mistress from afar. However, here Donne is intervening in her personal life.
 * Stanza 1(line 1-4):- **

· Donne says that his mistress scorned him under the pretext of being ‘vestal’. · Vestal virgins attended the temple of Vesta, and worshipped the goddess of purity and chastity. · However when his ghost comes back to haunt her when she is with another man, the ‘taper’ or candle will start flickering signifying the presence of the ghost. · She will then pinch awake her new partner out of fright. His partner will be tired from before after consummating his relationship with Donne’s ex-mistress. · He will think that she is waking him up for more. However, he is not interested in more.
 * Stanza 2(line 5-8):- **

· He says that her new partner will wake up from his ‘false sleep’. This means that he is pretending to be asleep as he does not interested is more physical pleasure from her. · Here Donne is insulting his ex-mistress by saying that she is lousy in bed. · He further strengthens his point by using ‘cold quicksilver sweat’ to describe her. Here he debunks the stereotypical mistress who should not be sweating.
 * Stanza 3(line 9-13):- **


 * Stanza 4(line 14-17):- **
 * Here Donne warns his ex-mistress that his ghost will make her repent for mistake of scorning his under the false pretext of wanting to be a virgin.
 * However, he wants to keep the suspense alive and so will not disclose that means by which he will punish her.
 * He says that his ghost will make her repent painfully but until then she can ‘rest innocent’ as if nothing has happened.