AP English Literature and Composition Free-Response Questions
In the following poem by Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), the speaker addresses the subject of desire. Read the poem carefully. Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how poetic devices help to convey the speaker’s complex attitude toward desire.
Thou Blind Man’s Mark
Thou blind man’s mark,1 thou fool’s self-chosen snare, Fond fancy’s scum, and dregs of scattered thought; Band of all evils, cradle of causeless care; Thou web of will, whose end is never wrought; Desire, desire! I have too dearly bought, With price of mangled mind, thy worthless ware; Too long, too long, asleep thou hast me brought, Who should my mind to higher things prepare. But yet in vain thou hast my ruin sought; In vain thou madest me to vain things aspire; In vain thou kindlest all thy smoky fire; For virtue hath this better lesson taught— Within myself to seek my only hire,2 Desiring naught but how to kill desire.
1 target 2 reward
Question 1
Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how poetic devices help to convey the speaker’s complex attitude toward desire.
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