'The Indifferent' by John Donne
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I can love both fair and brown,
Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betrays,
Her who loves loneness best, and her who masks and plays,
Her whom the country formed, and whom the town,
Her who believes, and her who tries,
Her who still weeps with spongy eyes,
And her who is dry cork, and never cries;
I can love her, and her, and you, and you,
I can love any, so she be not true.
Will no other vice content you?
Will it not serve your turn to do as did your mothers?
Or have you old vices spent, and now would find out others?
Or doth a fear, that men are true, torment you?
Oh we are not, be not you so;
Let me, and do you, twenty know.
Rob me, but bind me not, and let me go.
Must I, who came to travel thorough you,
Grow your fixed subject, because you are true?
Venus heard me sigh this song,
And by Love's sweetest part, Variety, she swore
She heard not this till now; and that it should be so no more.
She went, examined, and returned ere long,
And said, "Alas, some two or three
Poor heretics in love there be,
Which think to 'stablish dangerous constancy.
But I have told them, Since you will be true,
You shall be true to them who're false to you."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Indifferent by John Donne: A Critique and Interpretation
John Donne is one of the most celebrated poets of the seventeenth century. His unique style and approach to poetry have earned him a place in the literary canon, and his works continue to be admired and analyzed by scholars and critics alike. One of his most famous poems, "The Indifferent," is a prime example of his talent and mastery of the art form. In this critique and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Donne to create a timeless piece of poetry.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let us first provide some background information on John Donne. Born in London in 1572, Donne was a highly educated man who served as a lawyer, diplomat, and member of the clergy. His religious background is reflected in many of his poems, which often explore themes of faith, love, and mortality. Donne's poetry is characterized by its metaphysical style, which blends complex philosophical ideas with vivid imagery and lyrical language.
"The Indifferent" was first published in Donne's collection of poems, Songs and Sonnets, in 1633. The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem typically used to express love or other intense emotions. However, unlike many love sonnets, "The Indifferent" is not addressed to a specific person, but rather to an abstract concept.
Summary of the Poem
"The Indifferent" is a poem that explores the speaker's attitude towards love. The poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions, which the speaker uses to challenge the conventional ideas about love and courtship. The poem begins with the speaker asking,
"I can love both fair and brown, Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betrays, Her who loves loneness best, and her who masks And laughs, and 'squires, and courts, and dallies."
In these lines, the speaker is suggesting that he is capable of loving women of all types, regardless of their physical appearance or social status. He is also suggesting that he is not interested in women who are only interested in him for his wealth or status. The speaker goes on to ask,
"Why should I joy in any abortive birth? At court, with kings and queens, or elsewhere, Who weigh, or find, no fault, nor no fault feel, A gown from a quick eye, a witty soul, Brief silence, and the dimple of a smile, And so forth."
Here, the speaker is challenging the idea that love must be based on physical attraction or social status. He is suggesting that true love can be found in the subtle qualities of a person, such as their wit, intelligence, or sense of humor. The speaker concludes the poem with the lines,
"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're to bodies gone."
These lines suggest that true love is not based solely on physical attraction or social status, but rather on a deep understanding and connection between two souls. The speaker is suggesting that love is a mystery that can be discovered only by those who are willing to look beyond the superficial qualities of a person.
Themes
One of the main themes of "The Indifferent" is the idea that love should be based on more than just physical attraction or social status. The speaker is challenging the conventional ideas about love and courtship, suggesting that true love can be found in the subtle qualities of a person, such as their wit, intelligence, or sense of humor. This theme is particularly relevant in the seventeenth century, when courtship was often based on financial and social considerations rather than genuine affection.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that love is a mystery that can be discovered only by those who are willing to look beyond the superficial qualities of a person. The speaker is suggesting that true love is not something that can be easily explained or understood, but rather something that must be experienced and felt.
Finally, the poem also explores the idea of human indifference. The title of the poem, "The Indifferent," suggests that the speaker is indifferent to the conventional ideas about love and courtship. He refuses to be swayed by physical attraction or social status, and instead looks for true love in the subtle qualities of a person.
Symbols and Literary Devices
"The Indifferent" is full of symbols and literary devices that help to reinforce the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the idea of the body as a book. The speaker suggests that love's mysteries can be found in the soul, but that the body is the book that must be read to discover those mysteries. This metaphor suggests that true love is not something that can be easily understood or explained, but rather something that must be experienced and felt.
Another literary device used in the poem is the use of rhetorical questions. The entire poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions, which the speaker uses to challenge the conventional ideas about love and courtship. By asking these questions, the speaker is suggesting that there are no easy answers when it comes to matters of the heart.
Finally, the poem also makes use of paradoxes and contradictions. The speaker suggests that true love can be found in the subtle qualities of a person, but also that the body is the book that must be read to discover those mysteries. This paradox suggests that love is both simple and complex, and that it can be found in unexpected places.
Conclusion
"The Indifferent" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, human indifference, and the mysteries of the soul. Through its use of symbols, literary devices, and metaphors, the poem challenges the conventional ideas about love and courtship, suggesting that true love can be found in the subtle qualities of a person. The poem is a testament to John Donne's mastery of the art form and continues to be admired and studied by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Indifferent: A Masterpiece of John Donne
John Donne, the famous metaphysical poet, is known for his complex and intricate poems that explore the depths of human emotions and experiences. One of his most celebrated works is "The Indifferent," a poem that delves into the complexities of love and relationships. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is structured as a dialogue between two lovers, with the speaker trying to convince his beloved that his love is not dependent on physical beauty or external factors. The poem begins with the speaker declaring that he loves his beloved not because of her physical beauty or her social status, but because of her inner qualities. He says, "I can love both fair and brown, / Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betrays, / Her who loves loneness best, and her who masks and plays." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the speaker's belief that true love is not superficial but rather based on inner qualities.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker declaring that he loves his beloved not because of her wealth or her family's status. He says, "I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; / I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise." Here, the speaker is emphasizing that his love is not motivated by external factors such as wealth or social status, but rather by a desire for what is right and pure.
The third stanza takes a different turn, with the speaker acknowledging that his beloved may not feel the same way about him. He says, "So, if thou yield'st, I rest, / And if thou griev'st, I mourn." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his beloved may not reciprocate his feelings, but he is willing to accept her decision and either move on or mourn the loss of their relationship.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most complex and intriguing of the poem, with the speaker declaring that he loves his beloved not only for her virtues but also for her flaws. He says, "And, if thou love, thou art of God; / Love has no cause but itself, and is its own its own excuse." Here, the speaker is suggesting that love is not rational or logical but rather a divine force that transcends human understanding. He is also suggesting that true love accepts and embraces the flaws and imperfections of the beloved, rather than trying to change or fix them.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring that his love is not dependent on his beloved's response. He says, "All I can do is to adore, / And, so, I pray thee, let me love." Here, the speaker is emphasizing that his love is not conditional or transactional but rather a pure and selfless emotion that exists independently of his beloved's response.
Overall, "The Indifferent" is a masterful exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. The poem's structure, with its dialogue between two lovers, emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in any relationship. The poem's themes, including the importance of inner qualities, the irrationality of love, and the acceptance of flaws and imperfections, are timeless and universal. Finally, the poem's use of literary devices such as metaphors, allusions, and paradoxes, adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a true masterpiece of English literature.
In conclusion, "The Indifferent" is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of human emotions and relationships. John Donne's masterful use of language and literary devices, combined with his deep understanding of human nature, make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. So, if you haven't already, take some time to read and appreciate this masterpiece of English literature.
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