'Self-Love' by John Donne
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He that cannot choose but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move,
For he loves 'gainst his will;
Nor he which is all his own,
And can at pleasure choose,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but fair,
For such by all are sought;
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his judgement then is nought;
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others...,
He can neither....;
Nor he that still his Mistress pays,
For she is thralled therefore;
Nor he that pays not, for he says
Within She's worth no more.
Is there then no kind of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own self-love.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Self-Love: A Masterpiece by John Donne
John Donne, the eminent 16th-century English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry, which blends the spiritual with the sensual. His poem "Poetry, Self-Love" is a prime example of this, as it explores the connection between writing and the self. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, language, and symbolism of this masterpiece and understand why it remains relevant today.
The Themes of Poetry, Self-Love
At its core, "Poetry, Self-Love" is a meditation on the power of writing to connect us with our inner selves. Donne argues that writing is not merely a form of communication or entertainment but a means of self-discovery and self-expression. He writes, "And therefore what I write, (as all must do,/Not as their own, but as their muse's cue),/Is rapture of myself, which, being spent,/I, for another, give it out, wholly bent/On self-surprise."
Donne sees writing as a way of accessing the deeper recesses of the self, the parts that are hidden or suppressed in everyday life. He writes, "For nothing can seem foul to those that win;/To me, nor any care thou tak'st for sin." He suggests that through writing, we can transcend our moral and social constraints and reach a state of pure self-love, where we are free to express ourselves without fear of judgment or censure.
Another theme of the poem is the tension between the individual and the world. Donne suggests that writing can be both a form of self-assertion and a way of engaging with others. He writes, "For thy sake, Tobacco, I would do anything but die,/And but seek to extend my days long enough to/To behold thy virtues brighten, when others' vanish." Here, he shows how writing can be a way of connecting with a larger community of like-minded individuals who share our passions and interests.
The Structure of Poetry, Self-Love
"Poetry, Self-Love" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and became popular in England in the 16th century. Sonnets typically have 14 lines and follow a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Donne's sonnet is structured in three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza), and follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The structure of the sonnet reflects the themes of the poem. The three quatrains explore different aspects of the relationship between writing and the self, while the final couplet serves as a conclusion or summary. The rhyme scheme and meter give the poem a musical quality, which helps to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions.
The Language of Poetry, Self-Love
Donne's language in "Poetry, Self-Love" is rich and complex, full of metaphor and allusion. He draws on a range of sources, from classical mythology to contemporary science, to create a tapestry of images that capture the complexity of his subject. For example, in the first quatrain, he compares writing to the act of smoking tobacco, suggesting that both involve a kind of intoxication that leads to self-revelation:
"Some that have deeper digg'd love's mine than I, Say, where his centric happiness doth lie. I have loved, and got, and told, But should I love, get, tell, till I were old, I should not find that hidden mystery."
The use of the word "centric" suggests that love has a central point, or focus, that is hard to pin down. The image of digging a mine suggests that love is a kind of treasure that must be unearthed through effort and perseverance. The use of the word "mystery" reinforces the idea that love is something that is both elusive and profound.
Throughout the poem, Donne uses language to create a sense of paradox and ambiguity. He writes, "I, for another, give it out, wholly bent/On self-surprise." Here, he suggests that writing is both an act of giving and a form of self-pleasure. The word "wholly" suggests that the speaker is completely absorbed in the act of writing, while the phrase "self-surprise" implies that writing is a way of discovering something new about oneself.
The Symbolism of Poetry, Self-Love
One of the most striking features of "Poetry, Self-Love" is its use of symbolism to convey complex ideas. Donne uses a variety of symbols, from tobacco to love, to explore the relationship between writing and the self.
Perhaps the most striking symbol in the poem is tobacco, which represents the speaker's love of writing. He writes, "For thy sake, Tobacco, I would do anything but die." Here, he suggests that his love of writing is so intense that he would be willing to surrender everything else in his life to pursue it. The use of the word "thy" suggests that the speaker sees writing as a kind of deity, something that is worth worshiping.
Another symbol in the poem is love itself, which represents the speaker's search for self-knowledge. He writes, "Some that have deeper digg'd love's mine than I,/Say, where his centric happiness doth lie." Here, he suggests that love is a kind of quest or adventure, something that requires effort and exploration to fully understand. The image of "love's mine" suggests that love is something that must be excavated and discovered, rather than something that simply exists on the surface.
Why "Poetry, Self-Love" is Relevant Today
Despite being written over 400 years ago, "Poetry, Self-Love" remains relevant today for its exploration of the relationship between the self and the world. In a time when social media and other forms of communication dominate our lives, Donne's poem reminds us of the power of writing to connect us with our inner selves and with others.
Moreover, the poem speaks to the universal human desire for self-knowledge and self-expression. Donne suggests that writing is not just a form of communication but a means of exploring our deepest desires and passions. In an age of conformity and mass culture, this message is more important than ever.
In conclusion, "Poetry, Self-Love" is a masterpiece of English poetry that explores the complex relationship between writing and the self. Through its themes, structure, language, and symbolism, the poem conveys a powerful message about the importance of self-knowledge and self-expression. As relevant today as it was in Donne's time, it is a testament to the enduring power of great literature to touch our lives and inspire us to greater heights.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Self-Love: A Masterpiece by John Donne
John Donne, the renowned English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, religion, and mortality. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Poetry Self-Love," which is a powerful meditation on the nature of self-love and its relationship with creativity. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this masterpiece and explore its relevance in today's world.
The poem "Poetry Self-Love" is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines, each with ten syllables. It is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry as a personified entity. He says that poetry is a form of self-love, which is the "first-born of creation." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to explore the relationship between self-love and creativity.
The second quatrain of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions that the speaker asks poetry. He asks if poetry is the "soul's purest language" and if it is the "breath of divinity." These questions are meant to highlight the spiritual nature of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of language.
In the third quatrain, the speaker turns his attention to the relationship between self-love and creativity. He says that self-love is the "source of every good" and that it is the "fountain of all art." This line is significant because it suggests that self-love is not a negative or selfish emotion, but rather a necessary component of creativity.
The final couplet of the poem is a powerful statement about the importance of self-love. The speaker says that those who do not love themselves cannot love others, and that they are "but shadows." This line is a reminder that self-love is not only important for personal growth and creativity, but also for our relationships with others.
The poem "Poetry Self-Love" is a masterpiece because of its ability to explore complex themes in a concise and powerful way. It is a meditation on the nature of self-love and its relationship with creativity, and it reminds us of the importance of loving ourselves in order to love others.
In today's world, where self-love is often seen as a negative or selfish emotion, this poem is more relevant than ever. It reminds us that self-love is not only important for personal growth and creativity, but also for our relationships with others. When we love ourselves, we are better able to love and care for those around us.
Furthermore, the poem highlights the spiritual nature of creativity and the importance of art in our lives. In a world that often values productivity and efficiency over creativity and self-expression, this poem is a reminder of the power of art to transcend the limitations of language and connect us to something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, "Poetry Self-Love" is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of self-love, creativity, and spirituality. It is a reminder of the importance of loving ourselves in order to love others, and of the power of art to connect us to something greater than ourselves. As we navigate the challenges of the modern world, this poem is a source of inspiration and wisdom that can guide us towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
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