It's only a small part of the poem, but "Strange fits of passion" is as much about death as it is about anything else. The last stanza is devoted to the speaker's fears of his beloved's death. As a result, we're left with a lasting reminder of the price for being in love. Whether it's by death, getting dumped, or some other form of abandonment, being in love means facing the fear of losing that special someone. And it can strike at any time—just as you're about to knock on their door, for example.
Questions About Death
- Why do you think the poem ends with the speaker's fear of death?
- Is the speaker really afraid of Lucy dying? Or is there some other reason for his anxiety at the end of the poem? How can you tell?
- Is this a hopeful or pessimistic poem? Which parts support your answer?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The poem shows us that we can only truly fear death if we truly know love.
Death is just a scapegoat in this poem. Our speaker is just a chronic worrywart.