A Nocturnal Upon St Lucy's Day, Being the Shortest Day (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Quizzes
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Practise the questions
10 questions from this quiz
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Practise the questions
10 questions from this quiz
Whose death likely inspired Donne to write this poem?
Whose death likely inspired Donne to write this poem?
His wife, Anne More
What poetic form is this poem, traditionally used to mourn the dead?
What poetic form is this poem, traditionally used to mourn the dead?
An elegy
How many lines does the poem contain?
How many lines does the poem contain?
45 lines
What is the central conceit of the poem?
What is the central conceit of the poem?
Shortest day = deepest personal darkness
What process does the phrase 'Love wrought new alchemy' allude to?
What process does the phrase 'Love wrought new alchemy' allude to?
Alchemical processes
Which theme explores grief as a transformative process?
Which theme explores grief as a transformative process?
Transformation and Renewal
What are 'squibs' in the line 'Send forth light squibs, no constant rays'?
What are 'squibs' in the line 'Send forth light squibs, no constant rays'?
Small, short-lived sparks
What does 'limbec' refer to in 'I, by Love's limbec, am the grave'?
What does 'limbec' refer to in 'I, by Love's limbec, am the grave'?
An alembic, a distilling apparatus
What Renaissance fascination is evident in Donne's use of cosmic imagery?
What Renaissance fascination is evident in Donne's use of cosmic imagery?
Microcosm and macrocosm interplay
What metre does the poem predominantly follow?
What metre does the poem predominantly follow?
Iambic pentameter