Page 27 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit

“Adieu, Farewell Earth’s Bliss”
by Thomas Nashe, pages 8-9

Vocabulary
physic – health
devour – consume quickly
vain – hopeless
heritage – birthright, destiny

1. This poem is classified as a lyric. What qualities make it this type of poem?

A lyric is a type of poetry in which the voice of the poem (in this case, the narrator’s)
expresses personal feelings or perspectives. In this poem, the voice is clearly religious, and
is criticizing the rich, the vain, and the ignorant.

2. The first stanza of the poem alludes to “life’s lustful joys” and also to Death’s “darts.” With
what mythological figure is Nashe associating with Death?

Nashe is comparing Death to Cupid. The inference relies on the lustful joys (i.e. love), and
the darts (i.e. arrows).

3. The mentioning of Helen and Hector, both characters of classical epics, is an example of
what literary device?

Referencing characters from Homer’s The Illiad, Nashe is using allusion to show how the
most beautiful and the most brave both eventually meet their matches in death.

4. “Wit with his wantonness” is an example of what type of sound device?

The repetition of the ‘w’ sound is called consonance.

5. What is the tone of the poem?

Answers may vary. Example: The poem is discussing the inevitability of death. Its tone is
reflective, non-humorous, but also not too grim.

6. What do you feel was Nashe’s purpose for writing this lyric?

Answers may vary. Example: Nashe seems to be communicating that no matter how rich,
strong, beautiful, or witty, everyone must eventually succumb to death, so we should pray
for God’s mercy.

T-9