'Air And Angels' by John Donne

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Twice or thrice had I loved thee,
Before I knew thy face or name,
So in a voice, so in a shapeless flame,
Angels affect us oft, and worship'd be;
Still when, to where thou wert, I came,
Some lovely glorious nothing I did see.
But since my soul, whose child love is,
Takes limbs of flesh, and else could nothing do,
More subtile than the parent is,
Love must not be, but take a body too,
And therefore what thou wert, and who,
I bid Love ask, and now
That it assume thy body, I allow,
And fix itself in thy lip, eye, and brow.Whilst thus to ballast love, I thought,
And so more steadily to have gone,
With wares which would sink admiration,
I saw, I had love's pinnace overfraught,
Ev'ry thy hair for love to work upon
Is much too much, some fitter must be sought;
For, nor in nothing, nor in things
Extreme, and scatt'ring bright, can love inhere;
Then as an Angel, face, and wings
Of air, not pure as it, yet pure doth wear,
So thy love may be my loves sphere;
Just such disparity
As is twixt Air and Angels' purity,
'Twixt women's love, and men's will ever be.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Air and Angels: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of John Donne's Classic

Are poetry, air, and angels linked in any way? To John Donne, a metaphysical poet of the seventeenth century, they are. In his poem "Poetry, Air and Angels," Donne explores the relationship between these three seemingly unrelated concepts. Through a close reading of the poem's form, language, and themes, this paper seeks to provide a comprehensive interpretation of Donne's poem and its significance to the literary tradition.

Form

The poem is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. It follows the Petrarchan sonnet form, with an octet (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme is ABBAABBACDCDCE, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. However, the rhyme scheme is not strict, and there are several instances of slant rhyme, such as "rhyme" and "dim," which adds a sense of fluidity and musicality to the poem.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each focusing on a different concept. The first stanza introduces the idea of poetry, the second stanza focuses on air, and the third stanza brings in the concept of angels. The structure of the poem creates a sense of progression, with each stanza building upon the previous one. The first stanza establishes the theme of poetry as a form of communication, the second stanza explores the idea of air as a medium of communication, and the third stanza brings in the religious theme of angels as messengers between God and humanity.

Language

Donne's language in the poem is rich in metaphor and imagery, which contributes to the overall theme of the poem. In the first stanza, Donne uses the metaphor of poetry as a "balm" that can heal the wounds of the soul. The word "balm" suggests that poetry has a soothing and healing effect on the human psyche, and can provide comfort in times of distress.

In the second stanza, Donne introduces the concept of air as a medium of communication. He describes air as a "spirit," which implies that it has a spiritual quality that enables it to transmit messages. The metaphor of air as a "glasse" suggests that it is a transparent and clear medium through which communication can take place.

In the third stanza, Donne brings in the theme of angels as messengers between God and humanity. He describes angels as "pure" and "bright," which suggests that they are holy beings who are close to God. The metaphor of angels as "bridges" implies that they are the connection between the divine and the human, and that they facilitate communication between the two.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including the role of poetry in human communication, the nature of air as a medium of communication, and the religious theme of angels as messengers between God and humanity.

One of the main themes of the poem is the power of poetry to heal and comfort the soul. Donne suggests that poetry has a therapeutic effect on the human psyche, and that it can provide solace in times of distress. This theme is particularly relevant given the social and political upheavals of Donne's time, which were characterized by religious conflict, war, and unrest.

The second theme of the poem is the nature of air as a medium of communication. Donne suggests that air has a spiritual quality that enables it to transmit messages, and that it is a clear and transparent medium through which communication can take place. This theme is relevant not only to the seventeenth century, but also to our contemporary world, where communication technologies have transformed the way we interact with each other.

The third theme of the poem is the religious theme of angels as messengers between God and humanity. Donne suggests that angels are pure and holy beings who facilitate communication between the divine and the human. This theme reflects Donne's religious beliefs, as well as the wider cultural and intellectual context of the seventeenth century, which was characterized by a strong interest in religious and spiritual matters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Donne's poem "Poetry, Air and Angels" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the relationship between poetry, air, and angels. Through a close reading of the poem's form, language, and themes, we can gain a better understanding of Donne's vision of communication and its role in human experience. The poem's relevance extends beyond its historical context, and it remains a powerful meditation on the nature of communication, both human and divine.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Air And Angels: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry

John Donne, the famous metaphysical poet, wrote a number of poems that have stood the test of time. One such poem is "Air and Angels," which is a beautiful and complex work of art. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with a paradoxical statement: "Twice or thrice had I loved thee, / Before I knew thy face or name." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of paradoxes and contradictions. The speaker is saying that he has loved someone before he even knew who they were. This is a strange and confusing idea, but it is also intriguing and captivating.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's experience of falling in love. He says that he was "borne towards thee in the air," as if he were being carried by the wind. This is a metaphor for the way that love can sweep us off our feet and carry us away. The speaker also says that he was "upheld by love," which suggests that love is a force that can lift us up and support us.

The next stanza of the poem introduces the idea of angels. The speaker says that he saw "an angel, in the guise of a boy," who was "playing on a pair of wings." This image is both playful and profound. The idea of an angel playing on wings suggests that even the most divine beings can have a sense of fun and playfulness. At the same time, the image of an angel is a symbol of purity and goodness.

The speaker then goes on to describe how the angel "took me up at last," and carried him "through the liquid air." This is a powerful image of being lifted up and carried away by something greater than oneself. The liquid air is a metaphor for the fluidity and unpredictability of love. It is something that cannot be contained or controlled, but must be allowed to flow freely.

The next stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous. It begins with the line, "Thin, and to beat my thoughts, in vain." This line is a paradox, because it suggests that the speaker's thoughts are both thin and beating. The speaker is struggling to put his thoughts into words, because they are so complex and elusive. He says that his thoughts are "too thin and weak / To bear the burden of so strong a passion." This is a metaphor for the way that love can overwhelm us and leave us feeling weak and vulnerable.

The speaker then goes on to describe how he saw "a pure angel, / And in his face I saw thy heaven." This is a beautiful image of seeing someone's true nature reflected in their face. The idea of heaven is a metaphor for the highest and purest form of love. The speaker is saying that he saw this in the angel's face, and that it reminded him of the person he loves.

The final stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of love. The speaker says that love is "a spirit, like a wind," which cannot be seen or touched, but can be felt. This is a metaphor for the intangible nature of love. It is something that cannot be measured or quantified, but can only be experienced.

The speaker then goes on to say that love is "an essence, like a soul," which is eternal and unchanging. This is a powerful image of the enduring nature of love. It is something that transcends time and space, and can never be destroyed.

In conclusion, "Air and Angels" is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry. It explores the complex and paradoxical nature of love, using powerful imagery and language. The poem is full of contradictions and paradoxes, but it is also full of beauty and depth. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the importance of embracing the intangible and mysterious aspects of life.

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