The Sunne Rising

Poet’s aim: to make a social comment/declaration/express feeling towards a particular event.
To understand what aim is, need to look at context in which poem is written. Can interpret poem simply by consideration of scenario presented, but without knowledge of context, reader can overlook other messages of the poet.

‘The Sunne Rising’
Simply: presents love as the miraculous feeling unaffected by time.
Geocentric view made Earth centre of the universe. Thomas Digges in 1576 based on Copernicus’ theory drew universe which made the sun centre. In 1608/1609, Galileo confirmed this theory which was socially rejected. He was prosecuted for heresy.
How did Donne feel about this? Deep depression and anxiety in loss of system.
Hence, rejection of theory in poem. Sun = ‘Busie old foole’, ‘pedantique wretch’ intruding on lovers. ‘walls’ connote no. 4 and hence the elements invisible fire, water, air and earth which...