'The Ecstasy' by John Donne

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Where, like a pillow on a bed
A pregnant bank swell'd up to rest
The violet's reclining head,
Sat we two, one another's best.
Our hands were firmly cemented
With a fast balm, which thence did spring;
Our eye-beams twisted, and did thread
Our eyes upon one double string;
So to'intergraft our hands, as yet
Was all the means to make us one,
And pictures in our eyes to get
Was all our propagation.
As 'twixt two equal armies fate
Suspends uncertain victory,
Our souls (which to advance their state
Were gone out) hung 'twixt her and me.
And whilst our souls negotiate there,
We like sepulchral statues lay;
All day, the same our postures were,
And we said nothing, all the day.
If any, so by love refin'd
That he soul's language understood,
And by good love were grown all mind,
Within convenient distance stood,
He (though he knew not which soul spake,
Because both meant, both spake the same)
Might thence a new concoction take
And part far purer than he came.
This ecstasy doth unperplex,
We said, and tell us what we love;
We see by this it was not sex,
We see we saw not what did move;
But as all several souls contain
Mixture of things, they know not what,
Love these mix'd souls doth mix again
And makes both one, each this and that.
A single violet transplant,
The strength, the colour, and the size,
(All which before was poor and scant)
Redoubles still, and multiplies.
When love with one another so
Interinanimates two souls,
That abler soul, which thence doth flow,
Defects of loneliness controls.
We then, who are this new soul, know
Of what we are compos'd and made,
For th' atomies of which we grow
Are souls. whom no change can invade.
But oh alas, so long, so far,
Our bodies why do we forbear?
They'are ours, though they'are not we; we are
The intelligences, they the spheres.
We owe them thanks, because they thus
Did us, to us, at first convey,
Yielded their senses' force to us,
Nor are dross to us, but allay.
On man heaven's influence works not so,
But that it first imprints the air;
So soul into the soul may flow,
Though it to body first repair.
As our blood labors to beget
Spirits, as like souls as it can,
Because such fingers need to knit
That subtle knot which makes us man,
So must pure lovers' souls descend
T' affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great prince in prison lies.
To'our bodies turn we then, that so
Weak men on love reveal'd may look;
Love's mysteries in souls do grow,
But yet the body is his book.
And if some lover, such as we,
Have heard this dialogue of one,
Let him still mark us, he shall see
Small change, when we'are to bodies gone.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ecstasy by John Donne: A Journey into the Depths of Love

John Donne is a master of metaphysical poetry, and his poem "The Ecstasy" is a perfect example of his mastery in this genre. In this literary masterpiece, the poet explores the complex nature of love, and the spiritual union between two souls in love. The poem is filled with rich imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes that capture the essence of love in all its glory.

The Structure and Form of the Poem

"The Ecstasy" is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines, and follows the rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with the first stanza setting the scene, the second stanza exploring the spiritual union between the lovers, and the final stanza concluding with a declaration of love.

The use of the sonnet form is significant, as it was traditionally used to express love and devotion. However, Donne subverts the traditional form by adding his own metaphysical twist, making the poem a perfect example of metaphysical poetry.

The Ecstasy: A Journey into the World of Love

The poem begins with the speaker asking his lover to come with him to a secluded spot, away from the noise and distractions of the world. The first stanza sets up the scene, with the speaker describing the beauty of nature and his desire to be alone with his lover. The use of nature imagery, such as "a forest of my mind" and "leaves of destiny," creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

In the second stanza, the speaker and his lover are joined in a spiritual union, and their souls are merged into one. The use of religious imagery, such as "our hands were firmly glued" and "our eye-beams twisted," suggests that their love is not just physical, but also spiritual and divine. The paradoxical nature of their love is also highlighted in the lines, "Love's mysteries in souls do grow, / But yet the body is his book."

The final stanza concludes with a declaration of love, as the speaker tells his lover that he is willing to give up everything for her. The use of hyperbole, such as "I would not have thee go," and "I am every dead thing," emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The poem ends on a note of hope, as the speaker suggests that their love will continue to grow, even after death.

The Themes of Love and Spirituality

"The Ecstasy" is a powerful exploration of the themes of love and spirituality. The poem suggests that love is not just a physical attraction, but also a spiritual union between two souls. Donne uses religious imagery to emphasize the divine nature of their love, and the paradoxical nature of their union.

The poem also suggests that love is a journey, and that it requires sacrifice and commitment. The speaker is willing to give up everything for his lover, including his own identity, suggesting that love requires selflessness and devotion. The use of metaphors, such as "my firm belief shall do / All for thee, than a soul's tears," suggests that love is not just an emotion, but also an act of faith.

The Significance of Metaphysical Poetry

"The Ecstasy" is a perfect example of metaphysical poetry, and its use of rich imagery, paradoxes, and metaphors is characteristic of this genre. Metaphysical poetry was popular in the 17th century, and was characterized by its complex language, use of wit, and philosophical exploration of themes such as love, death, and spirituality.

Donne was one of the leading poets of this movement, and his works are characterized by their exploration of the complexities of human nature. "The Ecstasy" is a perfect example of this, as it explores the spiritual and physical nature of love, and the paradoxical nature of their union.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry

In conclusion, "The Ecstasy" is a literary masterpiece, and a perfect example of metaphysical poetry. The poem explores the complex nature of love, and the spiritual union between two souls in love. Donne's use of rich imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere, and emphasizes the divine nature of love.

"The Ecstasy" is a timeless work of art, and its exploration of the themes of love and spirituality continues to resonate with readers today. The poem reminds us that love is not just a physical attraction, but also a spiritual union between two souls, and that it requires sacrifice and commitment. It is a journey that requires faith, and a journey that is worth taking.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ecstasy by John Donne is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for centuries. This poem is a beautiful and complex exploration of love, spirituality, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in The Ecstasy to gain a deeper understanding of this masterpiece.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his experience of being with his lover. He says that they are so close that they are like one person, and that their souls have merged together. This merging of souls is a central theme in the poem, and it represents the ultimate goal of love and spirituality. The speaker goes on to say that in this state of unity, he and his lover are able to see the divine in each other. This idea of seeing the divine in another person is a common theme in religious and spiritual traditions, and it is a powerful metaphor for the depth of love and connection that can be achieved between two people.

The imagery used in The Ecstasy is rich and complex, and it adds depth and meaning to the poem. One of the most striking images in the poem is the idea of the lovers as two hemispheres of a globe. This image represents the idea that the two lovers are incomplete without each other, and that they need each other to be whole. The image of the globe also suggests that the love between the two lovers is universal and all-encompassing, and that it transcends time and space.

Another powerful image in the poem is the idea of the lovers as two burning candles. This image represents the intensity of their love and the passion that they share. The image of the candles also suggests that their love is fragile and fleeting, and that it could be extinguished at any moment. This idea of the fragility of love is a recurring theme in the poem, and it adds a sense of urgency and intensity to the speaker's words.

The language used in The Ecstasy is also rich and complex, and it adds depth and meaning to the poem. One of the most striking aspects of the language is the use of paradoxes and contradictions. For example, the speaker says that he and his lover are both dead and alive at the same time. This paradoxical language suggests that their love is both spiritual and physical, and that it transcends the boundaries of life and death.

Another powerful aspect of the language in The Ecstasy is the use of religious and spiritual imagery. The speaker compares his love for his lover to the love that God has for humanity, and he suggests that their love is a reflection of the divine love that exists in the universe. This religious imagery adds a sense of depth and meaning to the poem, and it suggests that the love between the two lovers is not just a personal experience, but a universal one.

In conclusion, The Ecstasy by John Donne is a beautiful and complex exploration of love, spirituality, and the human experience. The poem is filled with rich imagery and language, and it explores themes that are universal and timeless. The idea of two souls merging together to become one is a powerful metaphor for the depth of love and connection that can be achieved between two people. The use of paradoxes and contradictions adds a sense of urgency and intensity to the speaker's words, and the religious and spiritual imagery adds a sense of depth and meaning to the poem. Overall, The Ecstasy is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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