'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 Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry!
When it comes to metaphysical poetry, few names spring to mind as quickly as John Donne. And among his many great works, The Ecstasy stands out as a masterpiece of the genre.
With its complex imagery, passionate tone, and profound spiritual themes, this poem has captured the hearts and minds of readers for centuries. But what makes it so special? Why does it continue to resonate even today? Let's dive deeper and find out!
The Poet and His Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to understand the poet and his cultural context. John Donne was a 17th-century English poet and cleric who wrote during a time of great religious and political upheaval.
As a member of the Church of England, Donne lived through the turbulent reigns of King James I and King Charles I, both of whom struggled to maintain their power in the face of growing opposition from religious and political factions.
Against this backdrop, Donne's poetry reflects a deep sense of spiritual and emotional turmoil, as he grapples with questions of faith, love, and mortality. His work is characterized by its intellectual rigor, complex metaphors, and passionate tone, which all serve to convey his profound sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of life.
The Poem: The Ecstasy
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. The Ecstasy is a sonnet, which means it follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. But despite its formal constraints, the poem is anything but rigid or formulaic.
Instead, it bursts with vivid imagery, sensual language, and a passionate tone that captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of love, both human and divine, and the ways in which these two forms of love intersect and intertwine.
Stanza One
The poem opens with a sense of urgency and longing, as the speaker describes himself and his lover as being "caught up" in a moment of intense ecstasy. The use of the word "caught" suggests that this experience is not something they have sought out deliberately, but rather something that has taken hold of them unexpectedly.
The speaker then goes on to describe the physical sensations of this ecstasy, using rich imagery of fire and light to convey the intensity of his emotions. The phrase "our hands were firmly glued, without a knot" suggests a sense of union and connection, as if their bodies have merged together into a single entity.
Stanza Two
In the second stanza, the speaker turns his attention to the spiritual dimensions of this experience. He describes himself and his lover as being "transfigured" by their love, as if they have been lifted out of their physical bodies and into a higher realm of existence.
This idea of transcendence is reinforced by the use of celestial and divine imagery, as the speaker invokes the sun, moon, and stars to describe the intensity of their passion. He also makes reference to the "angels of several ranks," suggesting that their love has a divine quality that sets it apart from ordinary human experience.
Stanza Three
In the third stanza, the speaker explores the relationship between physical and spiritual love in more depth. He argues that the two are intimately connected, and that it is only through the physical act of love that we can truly experience the spiritual ecstasy that comes with it.
The phrase "heaven in ordinary" suggests that this experience is not something otherworldly or unattainable, but rather something that can be found in the everyday moments of life. The speaker also suggests that this experience of love can be a form of spiritual enlightenment, as it opens our eyes to the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Stanza Four
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. He suggests that the only way to transcend this mortality is through the experience of love, which allows us to glimpse the eternal and the infinite.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as the speaker declares that "as we die daily, love is no less." This suggests that even as we face the inevitability of our own mortality, the experience of love can sustain us and give us a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Interpretation and Criticism
So, what can we make of this complex and multi-layered poem? At its core, The Ecstasy is a celebration of love in all its forms, from the physical to the spiritual, the human to the divine. It argues that love is not just a fleeting emotion or a passing fancy, but rather a powerful force that can uplift us and transform our lives.
In this sense, the poem can be read as a form of spiritual poetry, one that seeks to explore the mystical dimensions of human experience and the ways in which love can connect us to something greater than ourselves.
At the same time, however, the poem is not without its flaws. Some critics have argued that Donne's use of complex metaphors and dense language can be off-putting or even alienating to modern readers. Others have suggested that the poem's focus on heterosexual love may exclude other forms of love and desire.
Despite these criticisms, however, The Ecstasy remains a remarkable work of poetry, one that continues to challenge and inspire readers to this day. Whether we read it as a celebration of love, a meditation on mortality, or a work of spiritual exploration, there is no denying its power and profundity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ecstasy by John Donne: A Poem of Spiritual and Physical Love
John Donne, the famous metaphysical poet, wrote The Ecstasy in the early 17th century. This poem is considered one of his most famous works, and it explores the themes of spiritual and physical love. The poem is written in a complex and intricate style, with a mix of religious and erotic imagery. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker describing his experience of being in a state of ecstasy with his lover. He says that their souls have merged and become one, and that they are now in a state of perfect harmony. The speaker then goes on to describe the physical sensations that he and his lover are experiencing, such as the warmth of their bodies and the feeling of their hearts beating together. He also uses religious imagery to describe their love, comparing it to the union of the soul with God.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes his experience of being in a state of ecstasy with his lover, saying that their souls have merged and become one. He says that they are now in a state of perfect harmony, and that they are no longer two separate beings, but one. This idea of unity and oneness is a central theme of the poem, and it is explored in various ways throughout.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the physical sensations that he and his lover are experiencing. He says that they are so close that they can feel the warmth of each other's bodies, and that their hearts are beating together. This physical closeness is a manifestation of their spiritual unity, and it is a powerful symbol of their love.
The third stanza of the poem is where the religious imagery comes in. The speaker compares his love with his lover to the union of the soul with God. He says that their love is a reflection of the divine love that exists between God and the soul. This comparison is significant because it elevates their love to a higher plane, making it more than just a physical or emotional connection.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of time. He says that in their state of ecstasy, time has no meaning. They are outside of time, and their love is eternal. This idea of timelessness is another central theme of the poem, and it is linked to the idea of spiritual unity. When two souls are united, they are no longer bound by the constraints of time and space.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question the nature of their love. He wonders if their love is just a physical attraction, or if it is something more. He says that their love is not just a matter of the flesh, but of the soul. This idea of love being more than just physical attraction is another important theme of the poem.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a conclusion about the nature of their love. He says that their love is a perfect balance of physical and spiritual love. It is a union of the body and the soul, and it is a reflection of the divine love that exists between God and the soul. This conclusion is significant because it brings together all of the themes of the poem and ties them together in a powerful way.
In terms of structure, The Ecstasy is a complex and intricate poem. It is written in six stanzas of varying lengths, with a mix of rhyming and non-rhyming lines. The poem is also full of metaphors and imagery, which add to its complexity. The use of religious imagery is particularly effective, as it elevates the love between the speaker and his lover to a higher plane.
In terms of language, The Ecstasy is a masterpiece of poetic language. Donne's use of metaphors and imagery is particularly effective, as it adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of religious imagery is also significant, as it elevates the love between the speaker and his lover to a higher plane. The language of the poem is also highly sensual, with descriptions of physical sensations and the warmth of bodies.
In conclusion, The Ecstasy is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of spiritual and physical love. The poem is full of metaphors and imagery, which add depth and complexity to the poem. The use of religious imagery is particularly effective, as it elevates the love between the speaker and his lover to a higher plane. The language of the poem is also highly sensual, with descriptions of physical sensations and the warmth of bodies. Overall, The Ecstasy is a masterpiece of poetic language and a testament to Donne's skill as a poet.
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