'Holy Sonnet I: Tho Has Made Me' by John Donne
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Tho has made me, and shall thy work decay?
Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste;
I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday.
I dare not move my dim eyes any way,
Despair behind, and death before doth cast
Such terror, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sin in it, which it towards hell doth weigh.
Only thou art above, and when towards thee
By thy leave I can look, I rise again;
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me
That not one hour myself I can sustain.
Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And thou like adamant draw mine iron heart.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Holy Sonnet I: Thou Has Made Me by John Donne
Holy Sonnet I, also known as "Thou Has Made Me," is one of the most famous poems written by John Donne, a prominent figure in English literature during the 16th and 17th century. The poem was published in 1633, as part of a collection of his Holy Sonnets.
The poem is a deeply personal and religious meditation on the human condition and the nature of God. Through vivid imagery and emotional language, Donne explores themes of sin, redemption, grace, and salvation.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that was popularized in Italy during the Renaissance. Sonnets typically consist of fourteen lines and follow a strict rhyme scheme and meter.
Holy Sonnet I follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, which consists of two parts: an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. The octave is usually structured with the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the sestet typically follows a rhyme scheme of CDECDE.
However, Donne deviates from this traditional structure by using a rhyme scheme of ABABBCBCDEDEFF, which creates a more complex and varied pattern of rhyme. This deviation from the norm is typical of Donne's style, as he often experimented with form and structure in his poetry.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a metrical pattern consisting of five iambs per line. An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed.
Interpretation and Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker addressing God directly, acknowledging his Creator as the source of his being: "Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?"
The question here is rhetorical, as the speaker knows that God's work will never decay. However, the question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the impermanence of human life and the inevitability of death.
The second line of the poem continues this theme, as the speaker asks, "Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste." Here, the speaker is acknowledging his own mortality and the brevity of human life.
The use of the word "repair" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker believes he is in need of spiritual healing or redemption. The word also connotes a sense of urgency, as the speaker recognizes that his time on earth is limited.
The third line of the poem further emphasizes the speaker's sense of urgency and desperation: "I run to death, and death meets me as fast." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is actively running towards his own demise.
The image of death as a pursuer or predator is a common theme in Donne's poetry, and it reflects his preoccupation with the inevitability of death and the need for spiritual preparation.
The fourth line of the poem continues this theme, as the speaker describes death as a "swifter winged arrow" that is "shot from heaven." Here, the speaker is emphasizing the sudden and unpredictable nature of death, which can strike at any moment.
The use of the word "heaven" is significant, as it suggests that death is a part of God's plan and that the speaker must be prepared to face it at any time.
In the fifth and sixth lines of the poem, the speaker asks God to "spare" him and to "reverse" the course of his life. This is a plea for salvation and redemption, as the speaker recognizes that he is in need of God's mercy.
The use of the word "spare" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker believes he is deserving of punishment or judgment. The word also connotes a sense of vulnerability and humility, as the speaker recognizes his own shortcomings and sins.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem further emphasize the speaker's sense of desperation and the urgency of his plea: "Desperate, I throw me down of every side; / As you just judgement, death, doth tarrie, I / Have to accuse my delay, / Wretchednesse singes, and Anguish everie way."
Here, the speaker is acknowledging his own weakness and sinfulness, and he is pleading with God for mercy and forgiveness. The use of the word "desperate" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is at the end of his rope and is willing to do anything to receive God's grace.
The lines that follow are particularly powerful, as the speaker acknowledges the depth of his own sinfulness and the magnitude of his need for redemption: "Unto a bed of dust I might descend, / But that thou art my Father, and didst give / To me thy Sonne, who is all my defence, / And power to plead with thee, that he doth live."
Here, the speaker is acknowledging that he is deserving of death and decay, but he is appealing to God's mercy and grace. The use of the word "bed of dust" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker recognizes his own mortality and the inevitability of death.
However, the speaker is also acknowledging the power of God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who has provided a way for him to be redeemed and saved. This is a powerful expression of faith and trust in God's mercy and love.
The final two lines of the poem are a powerful expression of the speaker's faith and hope in God's mercy and grace: "Who pleadst for love, and look'st for recompence, / O shed thy blood for me, and so I shall bequeath / Thy praise to all posteritie."
Here, the speaker is acknowledging the sacrificial nature of God's love and the power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice to redeem and save humanity. The use of the word "recompence" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker believes in the idea of divine justice and reward.
The final line of the poem is a powerful expression of the speaker's faith and hope in God's mercy and grace. By pledging to "bequeath" God's praise to future generations, the speaker is expressing his belief that his faith and trust in God will endure beyond his own lifetime.
Conclusion
Holy Sonnet I is a powerful expression of John Donne's deeply personal and religious beliefs. Through vivid imagery, emotional language, and a complex structure, Donne explores themes of sin, redemption, grace, and salvation.
The poem is a powerful meditation on the human condition and the nature of God, and it reflects Donne's preoccupation with the inevitability of death and the need for spiritual preparation.
Overall, Holy Sonnet I is a powerful and moving expression of faith and trust in God's mercy and grace, and it remains one of the most enduring works of religious poetry in the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Holy Sonnet I: Thou Hast Made Me by John Donne is a classic poem that explores the relationship between man and God. The poem is a powerful expression of the speaker's faith and his belief in the divine power of God. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing God, acknowledging His power and authority. The speaker says, "Thou hast made me, and shall thy work decay?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker questions the purpose of his existence and the inevitability of death. The use of the word "decay" suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality and is questioning the purpose of his life.
The first stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality. He questions the purpose of his life and wonders if his existence is simply a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things. He says, "Shall my foolishness be the end of me?" This line suggests that the speaker is aware of his own shortcomings and is questioning whether his life has any meaning or purpose.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of God. The speaker acknowledges that God is the creator of all things and that His power is infinite. He says, "Thou art a master, and thy power is great." This line suggests that the speaker is in awe of God's power and is acknowledging His authority over all things.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's relationship with God. He says, "I am a captive, and thou my freedom hast." This line suggests that the speaker sees himself as a prisoner of his own mortality and that God is the only one who can set him free. The use of the word "captive" suggests that the speaker is aware of his own limitations and is seeking a way to transcend them.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's faith. He says, "I am a pilgrim, and thou my rest shalt be." This line suggests that the speaker sees himself as a traveler on a journey and that God is the ultimate destination. The use of the word "pilgrim" suggests that the speaker is on a spiritual journey and is seeking a deeper understanding of his faith.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's mortality. He says, "As I draw near to death, and to my end, / My soul shall sing thy praise." This line suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality and is seeking a way to transcend it. The use of the word "soul" suggests that the speaker is seeking a deeper understanding of his faith and is looking for a way to connect with God on a spiritual level.
The structure of the poem is a series of reflections on the speaker's relationship with God. Each stanza explores a different aspect of the speaker's faith and his understanding of God's power and authority. The use of repetition in the poem, particularly the repetition of the phrase "Thou hast made me," emphasizes the speaker's belief in God's power and authority.
The language used in the poem is rich and complex, with a mix of religious and secular imagery. The use of religious imagery, such as the reference to God as a "master," emphasizes the speaker's faith and his belief in the divine power of God. The use of secular imagery, such as the reference to the speaker as a "pilgrim," suggests that the speaker is seeking a deeper understanding of his faith and is looking for a way to connect with God on a spiritual level.
In conclusion, Holy Sonnet I: Thou Hast Made Me by John Donne is a powerful expression of the speaker's faith and his belief in the divine power of God. The poem explores the themes of mortality, faith, and the relationship between man and God. The structure of the poem is a series of reflections on the speaker's relationship with God, and the language used is rich and complex, with a mix of religious and secular imagery. Overall, the poem is a powerful expression of the speaker's faith and his belief in the ultimate power and authority of God.
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