Question

Poem help...
Here is another poem that uses personification to help define the theme. Answer the questions that follow using all you know about poetic devices.

The heart asks pleasure first,
And then, excuse from pain;
And then, those little anodynes (a medicine that relieves pain)
That deaden suffering,

And then, to go to sleep;
And then, if it should be
The will of its Inquisitor, (a person who investigates in a harsh way)
The liberty to die.

Emily

Answer 1

As the poem goes on the requests become more and more:

extreme

lenient

weird and crazy

joyful

Answer 2

There are two definitions of liberty. 1. the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

and 2. the power or scope to act as one pleases.

Could the poet be speaking of choosing his/her own lifestyle, or contemplating taking his/her own life?

I would say extreme is the answer. But in reality, poetry is open to interpretation

Answer 3

I am a little a bit confused about if the correct answer is lenient or extreme.

Answer 4

The person seem to be asking for a way to be free from pain

Answer 5

Well, the definition of lenient is "(of punishment or a person in authority) permissive, merciful, or tolerant."

So it's possible that the poet could consider himself the person of authority over him/herself; and could simply be providing himself mercy, via suicide.
However because it mentions "inquisitor" I imagine he/she is only contemplating it. (If my interpretation is accurate)

Regardless, I'd answer with one of those two. I'm pretty sure you could argue the teacher/prof to give points for either one.

Answer 6

Question 10
I think the answer is pain.
What is being personified in this poem?

Pain

The inquisitor

Death

The heart

Question 11
not sure
Words in the poem that show that something is being personified are:


anodynes; inquisitor

ask; sleep

first; then

little; deaden