NO LONGER MOURN FOR ME

WHEN I AM DEAD
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell;

Nay, if you read this line, remember not (4.1)

The hand that writ it; for I love you so, (4.2)
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot, (4.1)
If thinking on me then should make you woe. (4.2)

O, if (I say) you look upon this verse,

When I (perhaps) compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay,

Lest the wise world should look into your moan,

And mock you with me after I am gone.

1. What is the central theme of this sonnet?

2. What does the speaker mean by “surly sullen bell”?
3. Why does the speaker want to be forgotten?
4. What emotions do you think the speaker is experiencing?
5. How does the imagery of worms contribute to the overall tone?
6. What significance does the line “If thinking on me then should make you
woe” hold?
7. What does the speaker advise the reader not to do?
8. What does the phrase “compounded am with clay” imply?
9. Why is the world described as “wise”?
10. How does the sonnet explore the idea of love beyond death?

1. How does the sonnet’s structure contribute to its meaning?

2. What role does the concept of time play in this poem?
3. Why does the speaker refer to the world as “vile” and “with vilest worms”?
4. What does the phrase “compounded am with clay” symbolize?
5. Explore the contrast between the speaker’s desire to be forgotten and the
act of writing this very sonnet.
6. How does the theme of mortality intersect with the theme of love in this
poem?
7. Consider the impact of the word “wise” when describing the world. What
does it imply?
8. Why might the speaker fear that remembering their name would cause the
reader “woe”?
9. What emotions arise from contemplating the impermanence of existence?
10. In what ways does this sonnet challenge traditional notions of love and
remembrance?