第20次开课

开始:2025-08-26

截止:2025-12-31

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19/19周

成绩预发布时间 2025-12-28

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河北师范大学
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河北师范大学
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河北师范大学
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邢台学院
副教授
河北师范大学
副教授
河北师范大学
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河北师范大学
助教

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视频(60)
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对《西莉亚》的提问

By 杨璟雯 12-14 31次浏览

Here’s a set of detailed analytical questions focused on Ben Jonson’s "To Celia" (often titled "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes"), designed to explore its themes, literary devices, historical context, and emotional depth. These questions aim to encourage close reading and critical engagement:

1. Thematic Analysis

  • Love and Immortality: How does Jonson juxtapose physical versus spiritual love in the poem? Discuss how the act of offering drink symbolizes both earthly desire and eternal devotion. For instance, analyze the lines: “Drink to me only with thine eyes, / And I will pledge with mine.” How does this exchange transcend materiality?
  • Time and Permanence: The poem contrasts fleeting moments (“But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, / I would not change for thine”) with enduring affection. What philosophical tension does this create between mortal life and timeless love? How might Renaissance beliefs about time and eternity influence this theme?
  • Gender Dynamics: Examine the power balance in the relationship presented. Does the speaker’s reliance on Celia’s gaze empower her, or does it reinforce traditional gender roles where women are idealized objects of desire? Support your argument with textual evidence.

2. Literary Devices & Imagery

  • Metaphor and Symbolism: Identify three key metaphors in the poem (e.g., “nectar,” “eyes as wine”). How do these symbols connect the physical world to abstract concepts like love, immortality, or divinity? Consider how Jonson’s use of classical allusions (e.g., Jove) enriches these metaphors.
  • Structure and Rhythm: Analyze the poem’s form: a 16 - line lyric divided into quatrains and a final couplet. How does the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme contribute to its musicality and emotional pacing? Contrast this with Shakespearean sonnets—does Jonson’s structure prioritize clarity or complexity?
  • Sensory Language: The poem engages multiple senses (sight, taste, touch). For example, “eyes as wine” appeals to taste and vision. How does this multisensory imagery deepen the reader’s emotional connection to the lovers’ bond? Are there any senses deliberately excluded, and why?

3. Historical and Cultural Context

  • Renaissance Love Poetry: Compare Jonson’s portrayal of love to other Renaissance works (e.g., Shakespeare’s sonnets or Petrarchan conventions). How does he subvert or adhere to the era’s ideals of courtly love? Discuss how religious tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism might surface in his emphasis on spiritual rather than carnal love.
  • Neoclassicism: Jonson was known for reviving classical forms. Identify elements of Greek/Roman mythology in the poem (e.g., Jove, nectar). How does this allusion to paganism interact with the Christian undertones of eternal devotion? Does it reflect a humanist belief in transcendent beauty?
  • Performance Context: Originally published in The Forest (1616), "To Celia" may have been intended for performance at court or in private gatherings. How might the poem’s tone shift depending on whether it is read silently or recited aloud? Consider the role of eye contact and gesture in conveying intimacy.

4. Emotional Resonance & Modern Relevance

  • Universal Longing: Despite being written over 400 years ago, the poem’s themes of unfulfilled desire and eternal love remain relatable. Why do you think these emotions resonate across cultures and eras? Can you draw parallels to contemporary songs or literature that explore similar ideas?
  • Ambiguity and Ambivalence: The closing line—“I sent thee late a rosy wreath, / And thou didst wear it on thy breast / But now ’tis withered, and I find / Thy bosom bare”—contains layered meanings. Is the speaker lamenting the loss of physical proximity, the fading of affection, or the inevitability of change? Support multiple interpretations.
  • Irony and Humor: Beneath its romantic surface, the poem subtly critiques romantic idealization. For example, the speaker’s boastful claim (“But might I of Jove’s nectar sup…”) is undercut by his dependence on Celia’s gaze. How does Jonson use irony to challenge conventional love tropes?

5. Comparative Study

  • Jonson vs. Donne: Compare Jonson’s approach to love with John Donne’s metaphysical poetry. While both use wit and intellectual rigor, how do their views on mortality and spirituality differ? Consider Donne’s "Death, Be Not Proud" as a counterpoint to Jonson’s celebration of earthly affection.
  • Cross - Cultural Perspectives: Contrast "To Celia" with Eastern love poetry (e.g., Li Bai’s "Quiet Night Thoughts" or Rumi’s ghazals). How do Western individualism vs. Eastern collectivism shape their treatment of longing and union?
  • Gender Representation: Compare the portrayal of Celia to female figures in Renaissance literature (e.g., Spenser’s Una or Shakespeare’s Portia). Is she a passive muse or an active participant in the relationship? How does her silence impact the poem’s meaning?

 

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