Break of Day

Break of Day

By John Donne

‘Tis true, ‘tis day, what though it be?
O wilt thou therefore rise from me?
Why should we rise because ‘tis light?
Did we lie down because ‘twas night?
Love, which in spite of darkness brought us hither,
Should in despite of light keep us together.

Light hath no tongue, but is all eye;
If it could speak as well as spy,
This were the worst that it could say,
That being well I fain would stay,
And that I loved my heart and honour so,
That I would not from him, that had them, go.

Must business thee from hence remove?
Oh, that’s the worst disease of love,
The poor, the foul, the false, love can
Admit, but not the busied man.
He which hath business, and makes love, doth do
Such wrong, as when a married man doth woo.

Summary of Break of Day

• Popularity of “Break of Day”: John Donne’s “Break of Day” is a celebrated metaphysical poem that explores the tension between passionate love and the demands of duty. It is admired for its clever argumentation, intimate tone, and vivid depiction of a lover’s reluctance to face the new day and the separation it brings.
• Representation of Love: The poem is presented from a speaker who challenges the necessity of rising with the light, suggesting that their love flourished in darkness and should not be abandoned at dawn. The speaker longs for uninterrupted intimacy and laments the inevitable intrusions of the outside world.
• Major Themes: The core themes revolve around the contrast between love and worldly responsibilities, the speaker’s playful complaints about the partner’s need to depart, and the value placed on shared intimacy. The poem also touches on societal expectations and the conflict between personal desire and public duty.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Break of Day

John Donne masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to craft a compelling and thought‑provoking poem. These devices enhance meaning, create a specific tone, and engage the reader’s imagination.

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds adds musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. For example, the short “i” sound in “Did we lie down because ‘twas night” underscores the contrast between night and day.
2. Alliteration: The close repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates emphasis and a pleasing rhythm. The repeated “f” sound in “the foul, the false” highlights the speaker’s assertion that love can endure flaws.
3. Consonance: This device involves the repetition of consonant sounds that are not necessarily at the beginning of words. The repeated “l” sound in “Love…light…should” contributes to the poem’s melodic quality and connects key concepts.
4. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates flow and momentum. Observe how the thought extends across lines in “He which hath business, and makes love, doth do…Such wrong, as when a married man doth woo.” This gives a conversational feel and emphasizes the consequences of prioritizing duty over love.
5. Imagery: Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses. Phrases such as “Light hath no tongue” and “Love, which in spite of darkness brought us hither” create mental pictures and evoke emotional responses.
6. Metaphor: An implied comparison between two unlike things. The statement “Light hath no tongue” functions as a metaphor, suggesting that light, though all‑seeing, lacks the capacity for empathy or understanding.
7. Oxymoron: A combination of contradictory terms. The phrase “worst disease of love” presents a paradoxical idea, indicating that duty, though seemingly virtuous, can harm love.
8. Personification: Assigning human qualities to inanimate objects. The light is personified as having an “eye” and the ability to “spy,” creating a sense of observation and judgment.
9. Rhetorical Question: A question posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer. “Why should we rise because ‘tis light?” challenges the necessity of ending intimacy at dawn.
10. Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as.” “If it could speak as well as spy” compares the light’s observation with speech, implying that mere observation is insufficient.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Break of Day

Beyond literary devices, “Break of Day” showcases several poetic techniques that contribute to its overall effect.

1. End Rhyme: The use of rhyming words at the end of lines creates a musical effect and reinforces the poem’s structure. The consistent rhyme scheme appears in pairs such as “be/me” and “night/light.”
2. Rhyme Scheme: The poem predominantly follows an AABB rhyme scheme, giving it a traditional and predictable rhythm.
3. Stanza: The poem is composed of three six‑line stanzas, known as sestets, providing a clear and organized structure.
4. Sestet: Each sestet, borrowed from Italian poetry, allows for a complete thought or argument within a single stanza, contributing to the poem’s formal elegance.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines from “Break of Day” are particularly insightful when discussing the complexities of love and duty.

“Oh, that’s the worst disease of love,
The poor, the foul, the false, love can
Admit, but not the busied man.”

This quote encapsulates the poem’s central argument: that even those with flaws are accepted in love, but a man preoccupied with his duties is not. It is a powerful statement about the sacrifices love sometimes demands.