'The Canonization' by John Donne
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For God's sake hold your tongue, and let me love,
Or chide my palsy, or my gout,
My five grey hairs, or ruin'd fortune flout,
With wealth your state, your mind with arts improve,
Take you a course, get you a place,
Observe his Honour, or his Grace,
Or the King's real, or his stamped face
Contemplate, what you will, approve,
So you will let me love.Alas, alas, who's injur'd by my love?
What merchant's ships have my sighs drown'd?
Who says my tears have overflow'd his ground?
When did my colds a forward spring remove?
When did the heats which my veins fill
Add one more to the plaguy bill?
Soldiers find wars, and lawyers find out still
Litigious men, which quarrels move,
Though she and I do love.Call us what you will, we are made such by love;
Call her one, me another fly,
We'are tapers too, and at our own cost die,
And we in us find the'eagle and the dove.
The phoenix riddle hath more wit
By us; we two being one, are it.
So, to one neutral thing both sexes fit,
We die and rise the same, and prove
Mysterious by this love.We can die by it, if not live by love,
And if unfit for tombs and hearse
Our legend be, it will be fit for verse;
And if no piece of chronicle we prove,
We'll build in sonnets pretty rooms;
As well a well-wrought urn becomes
The greatest ashes, as half-acre tombs,
And by these hymns all shall approve
Us canoniz'd for love;And thus invoke us: "You, whom reverend love
Made one another's hermitage;
You, to whom love was peace, that now is rage;
Who did the whole world's soul contract, and drove
Into the glasses of your eyes
(So made such mirrors, and such spies,
That they did all to you epitomize)
Countries, towns, courts: beg from above
A pattern of your love!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Canonization by John Donne: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
Have you ever experienced a love so intense that it transcends the boundaries of time and space? A love that is so powerful that it elevates you to a state of spiritual ecstasy? If you have, then you can relate to the theme of John Donne's "The Canonization," one of the most celebrated poems in the history of English literature.
In this 4000-word literary analysis, we will explore the intricate metaphors, imagery, and symbolism employed by Donne to convey his message of love, passion, and spirituality. We will also examine the historical and cultural context in which this poem was written and analyze its significance for contemporary readers.
Historical and Cultural Context
John Donne was a 17th-century English poet, preacher, and writer who lived during the Renaissance period. He was born into a Catholic family, but he converted to Anglicanism later in life and became a prominent figure in the Church of England.
"The Canonization" was written during the 1590s, a time when the English Renaissance was at its peak. The era was characterized by a renewed interest in classical literature, philosophy, and art, and a growing fascination with the concept of humanism.
Donne was part of a group of poets known as the "Metaphysical Poets," who were characterized by their use of elaborate metaphors and complex imagery to explore philosophical and spiritual themes. "The Canonization" is considered one of his finest works and a quintessential example of Metaphysical Poetry.
Analysis
The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers between the speaker and an unnamed audience, who are skeptical of his love and his claim to spiritual elevation. The speaker's responses are filled with metaphors and imagery that provide insight into the nature of his love and his spiritual experience.
Stanza 1
For God's sake, hold your tongue, and let me love, Or chide my palsy, or my gout, My five gray hairs, or ruined fortune flout, With wealth your state, your mind with arts improve, Take you a course, get you a place, Observe his Honour, or his Grace, Or the King's real, or his stamped face Contemplate; what you will, approve, So you will let me love.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the speaker's plea for acceptance and understanding. He implores his audience to "hold your tongue" and allow him to love freely, even if they disapprove of his actions or his physical limitations.
The speaker also contrasts his love with his audience's pursuits of wealth, status, and power, urging them to "improve" their minds with the arts instead. He challenges them to contemplate the various symbols of authority and approval in their lives, such as the "King's real" or "stamped face," but ultimately insists that they "let me love."
The use of the imperative "let" emphasizes the speaker's desire for autonomy and freedom in his pursuit of love, while the repetition of "or" highlights the various obstacles and distractions that society presents to genuine human connection.
Stanza 2
Alas, alas, who's injured by my love? What merchants ships have my sighs drowned? Who says my tears have overflowed his ground? When did my colds a forward spring remove? When did the heats which my veins fill Add one more to the plaguy bill? Soldiers find wars, and lawyers find out still Litigious men, which quarrels move, Though she and I do love.
In the second stanza, the speaker challenges his audience to provide evidence of harm caused by his love. He asks if his "sighs" and "tears" have drowned any ships or overwhelmed any land, asserting that his passion has not harmed anyone or anything.
The speaker then contrasts his love with the destructive tendencies of soldiers and lawyers, who seek out conflicts and quarrels. He suggests that his love for his partner is a peaceful and harmonious union, unaffected by the petty disputes that plague other relationships.
The use of the rhetorical questions in this stanza serves to highlight the speaker's confidence in his love and his frustration with the skepticism of his audience. He is confident in his love and its power to elevate him to a state of spiritual ecstasy, and he challenges anyone to prove otherwise.
Stanza 3
Call us what you will, we are made such by love; Call her one, me another fly, We're tapers too, and at our own cost die, And we in us find the eagle and the dove. The phoenix riddle hath more wit By us; we two being one, are it, So to one neutral thing both sexes fit. We die and rise the same, and prove Mysterious by this love.
In the third stanza, the speaker addresses the nature of his relationship with his partner, whom he refers to as a "fly." He suggests that they are both "tapers" that burn brightly and eventually die, but do so voluntarily and at their own cost.
The speaker then introduces a series of animal symbols, including the eagle and the dove, which represent the duality of human nature. He argues that his love with his partner transcends traditional gender roles and that they are both "fit" for a "neutral" existence.
The reference to the "phoenix riddle" is an allusion to the ancient myth of the phoenix, a bird that is reborn from its own ashes. The speaker suggests that his love is just as mysterious and eternal as the phoenix, and that it defies traditional logic and understanding.
The use of the animal symbols in this stanza serves to emphasize the metaphorical nature of the speaker's love and his desire to transcend traditional human categories.
Stanza 4
We can die by it, if not live by love, And if unfit for tombs and hearse Our legend be, it will be fit for verse; And if no piece of chronicle we prove, We'll build in sonnets pretty rooms; As well a well-wrought urn becomes The greatest ashes, as half-acre tombs, And by these hymns, all shall approve Us canonized for Love.
In the final stanza, the speaker acknowledges the possibility of death caused by his love, asserting that if they cannot live through it, they will die by it. He also suggests that their love may not be remembered in traditional ways, but it will be celebrated through poetry and music.
The speaker then compares their love to a "well-wrought urn," which can hold the ashes of the greatest people in history. He suggests that their love, even if it is not traditionally recorded, is worthy of canonization and celebration.
The use of the phrase "canonized for Love" serves as a metaphor for the speaker's desire to have his love elevated to the status of holy or sacred. It also emphasizes the spiritual nature of his love and its transcendence of traditional human experience.
Conclusion
In "The Canonization," John Donne employs elaborate metaphors and complex imagery to explore the themes of love, passion, and spirituality. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers between the speaker and an unnamed audience, who are skeptical of his love and his claim to spiritual elevation.
Through the use of animal symbols, references to classical literature and myth, and a series of rhetorical questions, Donne creates a rich and multi-layered portrait of the speaker's love and his desire for acceptance and understanding.
"The Canonization" is a masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry and a testament to the enduring power of love and its ability to transcend the boundaries of time and space. As contemporary readers, we can still appreciate its intricate literary style and its timeless message of love and spirituality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Canonization: A Masterpiece of John Donne
John Donne, one of the most celebrated poets of the seventeenth century, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, religion, and mortality. Among his many works, "The Canonization" stands out as a masterpiece that showcases his poetic genius and philosophical depth. This poem, written in 1633, is a complex meditation on the nature of love, the role of the poet, and the power of imagination. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "The Canonization" to understand why it is considered one of Donne's greatest works.
The poem begins with a speaker addressing his beloved, whom he calls "my dearest love." The speaker is trying to convince his lover that their love is worthy of being canonized, or recognized as sacred and holy. He argues that their love is not like the ordinary love that people experience, but a divine love that transcends time and space. He says, "For God's sake hold your tongue, and let me love, / Or chide my palsy, or my gout, / My five gray hairs, or ruined fortune flout, / With wealth your state, your mind with arts improve, / Take you a course, get you a place, / Observe his honor, or his grace, / Or the king's real, or his stamped face / Contemplate; what you will, approve, / So you will let me love."
The speaker is asking his lover to stop questioning their love and let him love her without any hindrance. He is willing to endure any physical or social obstacles that may come their way, as long as he can love her. He is also asking her to focus on her own pursuits and interests, while he continues to love her. This is a powerful statement of the speaker's commitment to their love, and his willingness to sacrifice his own desires for the sake of their relationship.
The second stanza of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions that the speaker asks his lover. He asks, "Alas, alas, who's injured by my love? / What merchant's ships have my sighs drowned? / Who says my tears have overflowed his ground? / When did my colds a forward spring remove? / When did the heats which my veins fill / Add one more to the plaguy bill? / Soldiers find wars, and lawyers find out still / Litigious men, which quarrels move, / Though she and I do love."
The speaker is trying to show that their love is harmless and does not harm anyone else. He is asking his lover to see that their love is not a threat to anyone, and that it is a pure and innocent expression of their feelings. He is also pointing out that there are many other people in the world who cause harm and conflict, but their love is not one of them. This is a powerful argument for the speaker's case, as it shows that their love is not only pure and innocent, but also beneficial to both of them.
The third stanza of the poem is a series of metaphors that the speaker uses to describe their love. He says, "Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use / To say, which have no mistress but their Muse, / But as all else, being elemented too, / Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do. / And yet no greater, but more eminent, / Love by the spring is grown; / As, in the firmament, / Stars by the sun are not enlarged, but shown, / Gentle love deeds, as blossoms on a bough, / From love's awakened root do bud out now."
The speaker is saying that their love is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible reality that can be experienced and felt. He is also saying that their love is not just a passive emotion, but an active force that can inspire them to do great things. He is using the metaphor of a tree to describe their love, saying that it is like a tree that grows and blossoms from a deep and powerful root. This is a beautiful and powerful image that captures the essence of their love, and shows how it can inspire them to do great things.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a series of paradoxes that the speaker uses to describe their love. He says, "Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime, / Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time. / Thy beams, so reverend and strong / Why shouldst thou think? / I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink, / But that I would not lose her sight so long. / If her eyes have not blinded thine, / Look, and tomorrow late, tell me, / Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine / Be where thou left'st them, or lie here with me. / Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday, / And thou shalt hear, 'All here in one bed lay.'"
The speaker is saying that their love is not bound by time or space, and that it is a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle. He is using the metaphor of the sun to describe their love, saying that it is like the sun that shines equally on all parts of the world, regardless of their location or time. He is also saying that their love is so strong that it can overcome any challenge, even if it means eclipsing the sun itself. This is a powerful statement of the speaker's commitment to their love, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to keep it alive.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions that the speaker asks his lover. He says, "As virtuous men pass mildly away, / And whisper to their souls to go, / Whilst some of their sad friends do say, / 'The breath goes now,' and some say, 'No,' / So let us melt, and make no noise, / No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move, / 'Twere profanation of our joys / To tell the laity our love. / Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears, / Men reckon what it did, and meant, / But trepidation of the spheres, / Though greater far, is innocent. / Dull sublunary lovers' love / (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit / Absence, because it doth remove / Those things which elemented it. / But we, by a love so much refined, / That ourselves know not what it is, / Inter-assured of the mind, / Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss. / Our two souls therefore, which are one, / Though I must go, endure not yet / A breach, but an expansion, / Like gold to airy thinness beat."
The speaker is saying that their love is so pure and refined that it transcends the physical world and becomes a spiritual bond between their two souls. He is using the metaphor of death to describe their love, saying that it is like the peaceful passing of a virtuous man, who whispers to his soul to go to heaven. He is also saying that their love is so powerful that it can overcome any obstacle, including physical separation. This is a powerful statement of the speaker's commitment to their love, and his belief that it is a sacred and holy bond that should be recognized as such.
In conclusion, "The Canonization" is a masterpiece of John Donne that explores complex themes of love, religion, and mortality. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of love, the role of the poet, and the power of imagination. It is a beautiful and powerful work that showcases Donne's poetic genius and philosophical depth. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder that true love is a sacred and holy bond that transcends time and space.
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