The Sun Rising

John Donne

The Sun Rising

John Donne
18 pages36-minute read
Fiction
Poem
Adult
Published in 1633

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The speaker is an impassioned lover who believes his romantic relationship supersedes the physical world and the laws of time. He exhibits a bold, colloquial tone, challenging the natural order by asserting his dominance over the universe. His profound affection drives him to view the shared bed as the absolute center of existence, dismissing external duties and social hierarchies.

Key Relationships

Romantic partner of The Lover

Annoyed by The Sun

The beloved woman represents the entirety of the earth's wealth and beauty to the speaker. Though she does not speak or take direct action in the text, her presence triggers the speaker's bold declarations against time. The speaker elevates her above all earthly royalty and material riches, stating her eyes outshine the brightest light.

Key Relationships

Romantic partner of The Speaker

Personified as a busy old fool and a saucy pedantic wretch, the sun represents the passage of time and the demands of the ordinary working world. It operates on a strict schedule, historically prompting daily labor for farmers and schoolboys. Initially framed as an irritating intruder, it is eventually ordered by the speaker to act as a servant whose sole purpose is to warm their bedroom.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to The Speaker

Tasked with warming The Lover