'Confined Love' by John Donne
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Some man unworthy to be possessor
Of old or new love, himself being false or weak,
Thought his pain and shame would be lesser
If on womankind he might his anger wreak,
And thence a law did grow,
One might but one man know;
But are other creatures so?
Are Sun, Moon, or Stars by law forbidden
To smile where they list, or lend away their light?
Are birds divorced, or are they chidden
If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a-night?
Beasts do no jointures lose
Though they new lovers choose,
But we are made worse than those.
Who e'er rigged fair ship to lie in harbours
And not to seek new lands, or not to deal withal?
Or built fair houses, set trees, and arbors,
Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?
Good is not good unless
A thousand it possess,
But dost waste with greediness.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Confined Love by John Donne: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Have you ever felt love so strong that it seems to tear you apart from the inside? That's exactly what John Donne captures perfectly in his poem 'Confined Love.' One of the greatest poets of the English Renaissance, Donne's works are known for their metaphysical themes and complex imagery. Confined Love is no exception. In this essay, we'll take a closer look at the poem, analyze its themes, and interpret its meaning.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself:
Some man unworthy to be possessor Of old or new love, himself being false or weak, Thought his pain and shame would be lesser If on womankind he might his anger wreak, And thence a law did grow, One might but one man know; But are other creatures so?
Are sun, moon, or stars by law forbidden To smile where they list, or lend away their light? Are birds divorced, or are they chidden If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a-night? Beasts do no jointures lose Though they new lovers choose, But we are made worse than those.
Who e'er rigged fair ship to lie in harbours And not to seek new lands, or not to deal withal? Or built fair houses, set trees, and arbors, Only to lock up, or else to let them fall? Good is not good unless A thousand it possess, But dost waste with greediness.
The Analysis
Donne starts the poem with a man who is unworthy of love. The speaker suggests that this man, being false or weak, seeks to wreak his anger on women. The man then creates a law that one might only love one person. The speaker questions whether this law applies to all creatures, wondering if the sun, moon, or stars are forbidden to smile where they please or lend away their light. This is a rhetorical question, which Donne uses throughout the poem to challenge the reader's assumptions.
The speaker then asks if animals are divorced or chided if they leave their mates or lie abroad at night. The answer, of course, is no. Animals are not bound by human concepts of fidelity or morality. Donn then makes a fascinating contrast between animals and humans, suggesting that while beasts do not lose their jointures (a legal term meaning the property that a wife has for life), humans are made worse than those because of the law of one might only love one person.
The final stanza of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions that ask whether anyone has ever built a ship and not sought new lands, or built a house and not let someone live in it. This is a metaphor for love, suggesting that love is useless if it is confined to only one person. Donne suggests that good is not good unless a thousand possess it, but the speaker then accuses humans of wasting what they have with their greediness.
The Themes
Confined Love is a complex poem with several themes. The most prominent theme is the idea of love, fidelity, and morality. Donne challenges the traditional notion of love, suggesting that it is not natural to be bound to one person, as humans are not the only creatures on earth that mate for life. The poem suggests that there is something inherently wrong with the law of one might only love one person, and that it makes humans worse than animals.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of ownership. The speaker suggests that the man who creates the law of one might only love one person is unworthy of love, as he seeks to possess it. The poem suggests that love is not something that can be owned or possessed, and that to do so is to cheapen it.
The final theme in the poem is the idea of waste. The speaker suggests that love is wasted if it is confined to only one person, and that it is not good unless a thousand possess it. This is a powerful metaphor for life, suggesting that we should not be greedy with what we have, but should share it with as many people as possible.
The Interpretation
Confined Love is a powerful poem that challenges the traditional notion of love, fidelity, and morality. Donne suggests that love is not something that can be owned or possessed, and that it is not natural to be bound to only one person. The poem suggests that we should not be greedy with what we have, but should share it with as many people as possible.
Overall, Confined Love is a complex and thought-provoking poem that challenges the reader's assumptions about love, fidelity, and morality. While it may be difficult to fully understand the poem's meaning, it is clear that Donne is a master of metaphor and imagery, and that his message is one that is still relevant today. So, what do you think of the poem? Do you agree with Donne's ideas about love and fidelity? Let me know in the comments!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Confined Love: A Masterpiece of John Donne
John Donne, one of the most celebrated poets of the 16th century, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores the complexities of love, religion, and mortality. Among his many works, Confined Love stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of unrequited love and the pain of separation. In this 14-line poem, Donne uses vivid imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes to convey the agony of a lover who is confined to a limited space and unable to express his love freely.
The poem begins with the speaker describing his situation as "some man unworthy to be possessor / Of old or new love." The use of the word "unworthy" suggests that the speaker feels inadequate or undeserving of love, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe his confinement, saying that he is "confined within the bounds / Of her brown hair." This metaphorical description of being trapped within the confines of his lover's hair is both beautiful and suffocating. It suggests that the speaker is so deeply in love that he feels trapped and unable to escape.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the paradoxical nature of the speaker's love. He says that he is "so near the love of God" and yet "so far from the joy of love." This paradoxical statement suggests that the speaker's love is both divine and unattainable. He feels a deep spiritual connection to his lover, but at the same time, he is unable to experience the joy of being loved in return. This paradoxical nature of love is a recurring theme in Donne's poetry, and it reflects his belief that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that cannot be easily understood.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the image of the speaker's lover as a "cage" that he is trapped in. This metaphorical description of his lover suggests that she is both beautiful and dangerous. The speaker is so deeply in love with her that he feels trapped and unable to escape, but at the same time, he recognizes that his love for her is a kind of imprisonment. This paradoxical nature of love is further emphasized by the use of the word "cage," which suggests both confinement and protection.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem introduces the image of the speaker's lover as a "little world made cunningly." This metaphorical description of his lover suggests that she is a complex and intricate creation, full of hidden depths and secrets. The use of the word "cunningly" suggests that she is both intelligent and devious, which adds to the complexity of the speaker's love for her. The final lines of the poem, "I am in her world / As in a mighty maze," suggest that the speaker is lost in his lover's world and unable to find his way out. This final image of the speaker lost in a maze is a powerful metaphor for the confusion and disorientation that love can cause.
In conclusion, Confined Love is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that captures the essence of unrequited love and the pain of separation. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and paradoxes, John Donne conveys the agony of a lover who is confined to a limited space and unable to express his love freely. The poem is a testament to the complexity of love and the power it has to both uplift and imprison us. It is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of John Donne's poetry.
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