Summary of Go & Catch a Falling Star
Brief Summary
“Go and Catch a Falling Star,” was written by John Donne was first published in 1633 based on a traditional theme of women’s infidelity. In this three-stanza poem, the poet tells the listener that it is possible to look the whole world over whatever he likes but finding a woman who will be faithful and honest to him is like looking out for a mermaid or meeting a devil which is an impossible task. It is a satirical poem but at the same time, the poet expresses his honest and bitter and cynical opinion towards women's society and their fake relationships.
Analysis of the Song: Go & Catch a Falling Star
Stanza One
The first stanza begins as a conversation. The speaker tells the listener to go and catch a falling star which gives the poem a prominent place in the literature world. He asks the listener to “get with child”, a “mandrake root”, which gives the poem a startling effect. (Mandrake root - a plant of southern Europe and North Africa having purple flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root formerly thought to have magical powers-Dictionary meaning.) The poet uses these to us to get into the poem. He asks him to find out all the facts about the past, and it’s impossible to know the historical truths. He then goes on to ask to find out who divided the devil's hoof into two parts. He would like to find out how it has happened. He asks the listener to teach him to hear the song of the mermaid and to keep off the feeling of envy and to find out how the fortune wind could push an honest and sincere man onward.
Stanza Two
In the second stanza the poet asks the listener to go and explore the invisible things and ride ten thousand days and nights to discover impossible thing until he becomes old and his hairs turn white, when he comes back he will tell all kinds of strange and magical stories. But among these, he swears that he would not have seen any woman who is pretty, honest, true and fair. This stanza complains about the dishonesty of women. He expresses his disbelief and disappointment in women.
Stanza Three
In the final stanza he gives a conclusion on his views on the infidelity of women. He says to the listener, if the listener finds a pretty and fair woman, he should inform the poet (speaker) and it would be a great challenge to meet such a fair and pretty woman, he would go on pilgrimage to meet her. But soon the poet changes his mind and refuses to go. He says he would not go to meet her even if she is his neighbour living next door, because she may be true and honest when the listener met her and lasted faithful till he wrote about her in his letter. But she would have changed and cheated at least two or three lovers by the time the speaker met her.
Literary Analysis
Metaphysical Poem
Metaphysical poetry is based on detailed figurative language, original conceits, paradoxes, and philosophical topics. Metaphysical poets belong to 17th century English poets. They are recognized by the lyrical quality of their verse. John Donne is well known as a metaphysical poet who lived in the 16th century and a well known leading figure in the literature world. There are different metaphysical features we can find in this poem such as serious arguments and deep analysis, emotional and intellectual, interesting comparisons, brilliant ideas and situations.
Structure
The poem consists of nine lines with different number patterns, a totally of three stanzas with ABABCCDDD rhyming pattern. Lyrical form to sing. The theme is the infidelity of women, the poet is the speaker who shows his disbelief in women society.
Metaphor
A metaphor describes an object or action in a different way which is not true. “Falling star” is a biblical reference to the fallen angel Lucifer who betrayed God. The poet uses this to show the infidelity of women who are not faithful.
Allusions
Indirect reference. Mandrake root (a human-shaped plant root which is used in witchcraft and black magic.) ”Devil’s cleft foot” refers to the feet of the devil which is divided into two hooves. “Mermaid singing” refers to a mythical character who looks half-human and half like a sea creature with a fishtail. The poet challenges the listener to find such wonders of the world. He says he perhaps could find these wonders but he can never find a faithful woman.
Apostrophe
Apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not present.
The poem starts with the speaker's command or request or challenge to the listener. This prepares the reader to think of those impossible challenges of the poet.
Visual Imagery
It refers to visual images or auditory images. “Falling star” , “Mandrake root”, “devil foot”, “mermaid singing”,” White hairs on thee” all bring interesting impossible visual images to the readers to enjoy and feel the broken views of the poet on the unfaithful women.
Enjambment
Continuation of a sentence without a pause that goes beyond the end of the line.
Hyperbole
Exaggerated description. “Ten thousand days and nights” is not a possible task for a person to undertake. All the visual images the poet used in the poem are good examples of exaggeration. The poet is hurt and his expressions on the virtue of women are quite hyperbolic. “Pilgrimage “ is an unusual imagination to make the readers understand his feelings.
Themes
Infidelity of women
The poet explores the infidelity of women in each and every stanza of the poem, Go and Catch a Falling Star. He brings out the theme by using images of magic and impossibilities. He insists at the end of the poem that it is hard to find a fair and faithful woman. He begins by commanding his listener to find certain impossible tasks and says that it would be much easier to find those magical things than to find a faithful fair woman. He further explains by using images like impregnating a mandrake root, listening to the songs of the mermaids and the cloven foot of the devil.
The poet further says that even if the listener spent all his life searching for an honest woman, he would not find one. But to his satisfaction, he tries to conclude the poem with little hope, even if the listener finds a faithful woman she would become unfaithful before the speaker could meet her. It is quite disappointing.
Thus the poet closes the poem with disappointment and expresses his unhappiness over the women. John Donne uses a light and humorous tone in a few situations. The poem carries a meaning to understand. Analysing the use of conceits would bring out different views on the masterpiece. But it would take time and patience to understand and enjoy.
John Donne The Writer
John Donne was an English poet, lawyer, cleric and a great scholar. He was born into a catholic family in 1572. He became a cleric in the Church of England. He is one of the greatest representatives of metaphysical poets. His works including sonnets are well known for his preaching. His works are packed with sudden openings, paradoxes, ironies and rhythmic speeches. His works met sharp criticism. His poems are based on true religion on which he spent much of his time. His earlier works showed great knowledge of satires which brought out the corruption in the legal system and posh courtiers and misunderstanding of true religion. He was ordained deacon in 1615 and served as a member of parliament in 1601 and in 1614.
He lived in great poverty for several years. His life depended on his wealthy companions. He spent much of his wealth on womanising and pastimes and travel. He married Anne More secretly and had twelve children. He died in 1631.