'Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved' by John Donne
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Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt
To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
And her soul early into heaven ravished,
Wholly on heavenly things my mind is set.
here the admiring her my mind did whet
To seek thee, God; so streams do show the head;
But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
a holy thristy dropsy melts me yet.
But why should I beg more love, whenas thou
Dost woo my soul, for hers offering all thine:
And dost not only fear lest I allow
My love to saints and angels, things divine,
but in they tender jealousy dost doubt
lest the world, flesh, yea, devil put thee out.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved by John Donne
Have you ever loved someone so deeply that even death cannot separate you from them? That's the kind of love that John Donne describes in this sonnet. Donne, a master of metaphysical poetry, explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption in this beautiful poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved.
Context
Before we dive into the interpretation, let's briefly discuss the context of this poem. John Donne, a seventeenth-century English poet, was known for his metaphysical poetry – a type of poetry that uses complex and abstract ideas to explore the human condition. Donne was a deeply religious man and often wrote about his religious beliefs in his poetry. Holy Sonnet XVII was published posthumously in 1633, along with other poems in his collection of Holy Sonnets.
Literary Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of his beloved. He says, "Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt." The use of the word "debt" here is significant. It suggests that death is not the end, but rather a debt that must be paid before moving on to the next phase of existence. The speaker seems to have accepted the inevitability of death, but he is not resigned to it.
Throughout the poem, the speaker addresses his beloved directly, saying, "And wilt thou, yet, have any pennyworth / Of hours, days, years?" The use of the word "pennyworth" is interesting. It suggests that time is a commodity that can be bought and sold. The speaker seems to be pleading with his beloved, asking her if she will return to him in some way.
The poem takes a turn in the second quatrain when the speaker expresses his desire to be reunited with his beloved in the afterlife. He says, "But thou wilt not, nor dost not; make me die / And, with thyself, and me, to be partaker." The use of the word "partaker" is significant. It suggests that the speaker wants to be united with his beloved in some kind of spiritual communion.
The third quatrain is perhaps the most powerful part of the poem. The speaker speaks directly to God, asking Him to reunite him with his beloved. He says, "Yet, thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay? / Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste." The use of the word "repair" is significant. It suggests that the speaker is broken and needs fixing. The repetition of the word "now" emphasizes the urgency of the speaker's plea.
The poem ends on a hopeful note. The speaker says, "That I may rise, and stand o'erthrow me, and bend / Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new." The use of the word "new" is significant. It suggests that the speaker wants to be reborn, to start over again. The poem ends with a sense of renewal and redemption.
Interpretation
Holy Sonnet XVII is a powerful meditation on the nature of love, loss, and redemption. The speaker's lamentation for his beloved is tinged with a sense of hope and faith in the divine. The poem explores the idea that love transcends death, and that even in the face of loss, there is always the possibility of redemption.
The use of metaphysical conceits in this poem is particularly effective. The idea that time is a commodity that can be bought and sold, or that the speaker is broken and needs fixing, creates a sense of tension and urgency. The use of religious imagery, such as the speaker's plea to God, adds to the spiritual dimension of the poem.
The poem can be read as a kind of prayer, a plea for spiritual renewal and communion with the divine. The speaker's desire to be reunited with his beloved in the afterlife can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for transcendence, for something beyond the material world.
At its core, Holy Sonnet XVII is a poem about the transformative power of love. The speaker's desire to be made new, to start over again, is a testament to the power of love to transform us. The poem suggests that even in the face of loss and death, love can bring us redemption and renewal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. Through the use of metaphysical conceits and religious imagery, John Donne creates a sense of urgency and tension that is both spiritual and emotional. The poem can be seen as a kind of prayer, a plea for spiritual renewal and communion with the divine. At its core, the poem is a testament to the transformative power of love, and the possibility of redemption even in the face of death.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved by John Donne is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving piece of literature that explores the themes of love, death, and faith. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the techniques used by Donne to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of his beloved. He describes her as "she whom I loved" and expresses his grief at her passing. The use of the word "since" in the title suggests that some time has passed since her death, and the speaker is reflecting on his feelings in the aftermath.
The first stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker describes how he used to love his beloved's physical form, but now that she is gone, he can no longer see her in that way. He says, "I never saw a goddess go; / My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker once saw his beloved as something divine, but now he sees her as mortal and earthly.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's faith. He says, "And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare." Here, the speaker is saying that even though his beloved is no longer physically present, his love for her is still as strong as ever. He believes that his love is just as rare and valuable as any other love that has been compared to something else.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's faith becomes more explicit. He says, "But our love it was stronger by far than the love / Of those who were older than we— / Of many far wiser than we—." Here, the speaker is saying that his love for his beloved was stronger than the love of those who came before him, even those who were wiser and more experienced. This suggests that the speaker's love is not just a physical or emotional love, but a spiritual one as well.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's faith is fully realized. He says, "And, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not limited by death. He believes that even in death, his love will continue to grow and deepen. This is a powerful statement of faith and suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife where he will be reunited with his beloved.
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Donne uses language to convey his message. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's musicality. For example, the repetition of the word "love" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's devotion to his beloved.
Donne also uses metaphors and imagery to convey his message. For example, in the first stanza, he compares his beloved to a goddess. This metaphor suggests that the speaker once saw his beloved as something divine and otherworldly. Later in the poem, he compares his love to a "fixed foot," which suggests that his love is steadfast and unchanging.
In conclusion, Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved by John Donne is a beautiful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, death, and faith. The poem is written in a musical and rhythmic style, and Donne uses metaphors and imagery to convey his message. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the strength of faith, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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