Page 39 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit

“Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?”
by Sir John Suckling, pages 15-16

Vocabulary
wan – weary, ill, unhappy
prithee – please; alternate to “I pray thee”

1. What is the speaker’s tone by the end of the poem?

The speaker seems to give up hope, and surrenders the woman to the devil. He has asked whether
looking ill (not beautiful) and staying quiet will keep her from sinning. By the end, he has decided
these qualities cannot save a person who does not love and lacks self-respect.

2. To whom is the speaker addressing?

There are two possible answers: the speaker is speaking to himself or he is speaking to another
man about that man’s love.

“To Lucasta, Going to the Wars”
by Richard Lovelace, page 16

Vocabulary
nunnery – a home for religious women
inconstancy – unfaithfulness, infidelity

1. The speaker’s comparison of Lucasta to a nunnery is an example of what literary device?

The comparison is an example of metaphor.

2. Explain the metaphor present in the poem’s second stanza.

The speaker is comparing his relationship with Lucasta to his experiences at war. His new mistress
is the enemy, someone to pursue and conquer.

3. In the third stanza, “thou too shalt,” presents an example of what poetic sound device?

The repetition of the ‘t’ sound is called consonance.

4. Within the speaker, what faith is stronger than his faith in the woman he loves?

In the second stanza, the speaker says his faith in his sword, horse, and shield are stronger than his
faith in the woman.

5. According to the speaker, why should the woman not take offense to the fact that his faith in his
horse and weapons is stronger than his faith in her?

The speaker says from the “Honour” and faith he has in his country and cause, he has gained the
ability to also love, honor, and have faith in her. In addition, if he had not had faith in his sword,
shield, and horse, he may not have survived war, and so would not have been able to love her at all.

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