The Dream
By Unknown Author
Dear love, for nothing less than thee
Would I have broken this happy dream;
It was a theme
For reason, much too strong for fantasy,
Therefore thou wak’dst me wisely; yet
My dream thou broke not, but continued it.
Thou art so true that thoughts of thee suffice
To make dreams truths, and fables histories;
Enter these arms, for since thou thoughtst it best,
Not to dream all my dream, let’s act the rest.As lightning, or a taper’s light,
Thine eyes, and not thy noise waked me;
Yet I thought thee
(For thou lovest truth) an angel, at first sight;
But when I saw thou sawest my heart,
And knew’st my thoughts, beyond an angel’s art,
When thou knew’st what I dreamt, when thou knew’st when
Excess of joy would wake me, and cam’st then,
I must confess, it could not choose but be
Profane, to think thee anything but thee.Coming and staying showed thee,
But rising makes me doubt, that now
Thou art not thou.
Love is weak where fear is as strong as we;
If it mixes fear, shame, honor have;
Perchance like torches, which must be ready,
Men light and put out, so thou dealst with me;
Thou camest to kindle, goest to come; then I
Will dream that hope again, but else would die.
Summary of the Poem
“The Dream” explores the delicate boundary between waking and dreaming, and how love transcends both. The speaker initially cherishes a vivid dream, so compelling that he would not willingly abandon it for reality except for the presence of his beloved. He asserts that her very essence continued the dream, transforming it from fantasy into a tangible truth. However, the poem also acknowledges the vulnerability of love, marked by the fear of loss and the uncertainty of its continuation. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even in the face of doubt, embracing love—and actively “acting the rest” of the dream—is essential for sustaining hope and joy.
Detailed Analysis and Interpretation
Structure and Form
The poem unfolds across three ten-line stanzas, offering a sense of contained reflection. This consistent structure provides a framework for the speaker’s shifting emotions, while allowing ample space for complex thought. The rhyme scheme, while not rigidly consistent, uses frequent slant rhyme and assonance to create a musical flow that mirrors the fluidity of dreams and the interconnectedness of thoughts. The irregularity of the meter, blending iambic and trochaic feet, further enhances this sense of organic, dreamlike rhythm. This subtle unpredictability prevents the poem from becoming overly rigid, allowing for a natural cadence that reflects the ebb and flow of emotion.
Key Themes
- Reality versus Dream: The poem masterfully juxtaposes the idealized world of the dream with the uncertainties of waking life. It suggests that true love can blur these lines, making dreams as real as any lived experience.
- The Power of Knowing: A central theme is the intimacy and depth of connection between lovers. The speaker emphasizes how his beloved’s understanding of his innermost thoughts and desires, her ability to “see” his heart and dreams, is what truly sustains the experience.
- Vulnerability and Fear in Love: “The Dream” does not shy away from the anxieties inherent in love. The speaker grapples with the fear of loss, the possibility that the beloved might withdraw her presence, and the fragility of hope.
- The Active Role of Love: The poem suggests love is not a passive experience but requires constant nurturing and action. The final lines, “let’s act the rest,” emphasize the need to participate in sustaining the dream, rather than simply hoping it will endure.
Literary Devices
Metaphor and Simile
Donne employs striking metaphors and similes to illuminate the poem’s central themes. For instance, the comparison of the beloved’s eyes to “lightning, or a taper’s light” beautifully conveys the sudden and radiant awakening, subtly implying that her presence is a source of illumination. The comparison of love to torches that are “light and put out” is a powerful metaphor for the unpredictable nature of affection, suggesting that it can be both present and absent, kindled and extinguished.
Personification
Personification is used to elevate the beloved to a near-divine status. The lines “When thou knew’st what I dreamt, when thou knew’st when excess of joy would wake me, and cam’st then” grant her a supernatural awareness and control, suggesting that she transcends ordinary human understanding. This personification reinforces the idea that her presence is transformative and extraordinary.
Allusion
The reference to “an angel, at first sight” draws upon religious imagery, hinting at the idealized and transcendent nature of first love. This allusion connects the experience of falling in love to a sense of spiritual revelation or grace. While fleeting, it adds depth to the initial depiction of the beloved.
Symbolism
The dream itself is a potent symbol of the speaker’s subconscious desires and innermost fantasies. Its continuation after waking represents the power of love to make those desires tangible and enduring. The “torches” mentioned in the final stanza symbolize the need for constant vigilance and renewal in a relationship, suggesting that love requires ongoing effort and attention.
Imagery
Donne masterfully employs vivid visual imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. Images like “lightning” and “taper’s light” evoke a sense of radiance and awakening, while the mention of “rising” and “doubt” creates a palpable feeling of uncertainty. This imagery enhances the emotional impact of the poem and draws the reader into the speaker’s internal world.
Tone and Mood
The poem’s tone shifts throughout, beginning with a sense of blissful enchantment and gradually transitioning to one of cautious vulnerability. The mood initially feels dreamy and ethereal, but becomes more contemplative and anxious as the speaker grapples with the fear of loss. This shifting emotional landscape reflects the complexities of love and the constant interplay between hope and doubt.
How Each Part Contributes to the Central Message
- Opening Stanza: Establishes the central premise: love can sustain and transform dreams beyond the realm of sleep. The speaker’s willingness to break a “happy dream” for the sake of his beloved emphasizes the value of real connection over fleeting fantasy.
- Second Stanza: Explores the depth of intimacy and understanding between the lovers. The speaker emphasizes that his beloved’s knowledge of his innermost thoughts is what truly sustains the dream, blurring the boundaries between self and other.
- Third Stanza: Presents the conflict between hope and fear. The speaker acknowledges the fragility of love and the ever-present threat of loss, yet ultimately chooses to embrace hope and actively participate in sustaining the dream. This final choice underscores the poem’s message: love requires ongoing effort and commitment, even in the face of uncertainty.
Key Quote for Reflection
Thou art so true that thoughts of thee suffice
to make dreams truths, and fables histories.
This line encapsulates the transformative power of love at the heart of Donne’s poem. It suggests that genuine connection and unwavering belief in another person can transcend the boundaries of imagination, turning fantasies into realities and shaping the very fabric of our lives. It is a powerful reminder that love has the ability to make the impossible possible, and to infuse our world with meaning and beauty.