'Woman's Constancy' by John Donne
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Now thou hast loved me one whole day,
Tomorrow when thou leav'st, what wilt thou say?
Wilt thou then antedate some new made vow?Or say that now
We are not just those persons, which we were?
Or, that oaths made in reverential fear
Of Love, and his wrath, any may forswear?
Or, as true deaths, true marriages untie,
So lovers' contracts, images of those,
Bind but till sleep, death's image, them unloose?Or, your own end to justify,
For having purposed change, and falsehood, you
Can have no way but falsehood to be true?
Vain lunatic, against these 'scapes I couldDispute, and conquer, if I would,Which I abstain to do,
For by tomorrow, I may think so too.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Woman's Constancy by John Donne: A Masterpiece in Love Poetry
John Donne's "Woman's Constancy" is a beautiful and complex love poem that explores the dynamics of a relationship between a man and a woman. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the man and the woman, with each speaker expressing their thoughts and feelings about the other.
At the heart of the poem is the theme of constancy, which is explored from different angles by the two speakers. The man expresses his frustration and disappointment with the woman's supposed lack of constancy, while the woman defends herself and asserts her own loyalty and steadfastness.
The Structure of the Poem
"Woman's Constancy" is a six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable).
The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. The repetition of the ABAB rhyme scheme throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence, while the iambic tetrameter gives the poem a steady rhythm that reflects the constancy that is being discussed.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the man lamenting the fickleness of women in general, and his own lover in particular. He accuses women of being "inconstant" and "fickle," and suggests that they cannot be trusted to remain faithful to their partners.
The woman responds by defending her own constancy, and by pointing out that men are just as capable of being unfaithful as women. She uses a series of rhetorical questions to challenge the man's assumptions and to assert her own loyalty:
"Why should we wound each other with these darts? We both have fetters, and we both have hearts. None are so free from what we love, nor I, As she that makes us both: but you and I"
The woman's use of the word "fetters" to describe the bonds of love is significant. It suggests that she sees love not as a burden or a limitation, but as something that binds two people together in a way that is both joyful and liberating.
The man replies by accusing the woman of being too easily swayed by other men's flattery and attention. He suggests that her constancy is merely a facade, and that she is really just waiting for a better offer to come along:
"But you are worse, -- oh, you are far worse than I; You are not constant, nor can ever be; And, for my sake, you may as well deny That your tongue doth flatter me"
The woman's response to this accusation is one of the most powerful moments in the poem. She tells the man that his words have wounded her deeply, and that he has shattered the trust and love that she had for him:
"You cannot love, methinks, for none can know How bad they be, which love them, till they show; For, as in darkness, though we do not see, Yet we perceive a sudden loss of light"
This passage is a perfect example of Donne's use of metaphor to convey complex emotional states. The woman's comparison of their relationship to a sudden loss of light is both poetic and precise. It captures the sense of disorientation and confusion that comes when trust and love are suddenly broken.
The poem ends with the man expressing regret for his words, and promising to love and cherish the woman forever. The woman responds by forgiving him, and by reaffirming her own constancy:
"Then, since that I may know and trust in thee, In thy firm truth, I will confessor be; Never henceforth to thee to love pretend, But, as my mistress, my sweet friend, contend"
The final lines of the poem are both hopeful and realistic. They suggest that love and constancy are not easy, but that they are worth striving for. The use of the word "contend" suggests that the woman sees their relationship as a challenge, but also as an opportunity for growth and mutual support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Donne's "Woman's Constancy" is a masterful example of love poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships. The poem is both lyrical and philosophical, and it uses metaphor and imagery to convey complex emotional states.
At the heart of the poem is the theme of constancy, which is explored from multiple perspectives. The man and the woman each express their own doubts and fears about the other's loyalty, but in the end, they both reaffirm their commitment to each other.
"Woman's Constancy" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of love, trust, and constancy is both universal and deeply personal. As such, it is a testament to John Donne's enduring talent as a poet and a storyteller.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Woman's Constancy: A Tale of Love and Devotion
John Donne's "Poetry Woman's Constancy" is a classic poem that explores the theme of love and devotion. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's belief in the constancy of a woman's love. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every lover, and it is a poem that has stood the test of time.
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the poet and his lover. The poet begins by asking his lover if she will be true to him, even if he is unfaithful to her. He asks her if she will still love him, even if he loves another woman. The lover responds by saying that she will be true to him, no matter what happens. She says that her love for him is constant and unchanging.
The poet then goes on to describe the various ways in which he might betray his lover. He talks about how he might be tempted by other women, or how he might be lured away by the pleasures of the world. He talks about how he might become bored with his lover, or how he might grow tired of her. But through it all, the lover remains steadfast in her love for him.
The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love. It shows how love can overcome all obstacles, and how it can endure even in the face of betrayal and temptation. The poem is also a testament to the strength of women. It shows how women can be strong and steadfast in their love, even when men are weak and fickle.
The poem is also a reflection of the poet's own life. John Donne was a man who was known for his many love affairs. He was a man who was often unfaithful to his lovers, and who was known for his love of pleasure. But in this poem, he expresses his belief in the constancy of a woman's love. He shows that even though he may have been unfaithful to his lovers, he still believed in the power of love.
The poem is also a reflection of the times in which it was written. The poem was written in the 16th century, a time when women were often seen as weak and submissive. But in this poem, Donne shows that women can be strong and steadfast in their love. He shows that women can be just as faithful and devoted as men.
The poem is also a reflection of the power of poetry. Donne was a master of the art of poetry, and in this poem, he shows how poetry can be used to express the deepest emotions and feelings. He shows how poetry can be used to explore the complexities of love and devotion.
In conclusion, John Donne's "Poetry Woman's Constancy" is a classic poem that explores the theme of love and devotion. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every lover, and it is a poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love, and it is a testament to the strength of women. It is also a reflection of the poet's own life, and a reflection of the times in which it was written. Above all, it is a beautiful example of the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions and feelings.
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