'Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One' by John Donne
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Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vows, and in devotion.
As humorous is my contrition
As my profane love, and as soon forgot:
As riddlingly distempered, cold and hot,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view heaven yesterday; and today
In prayers and flattering speeches I court God:
Tomorrow I quake with true fear of his rod.
So my devout fits come and go away
Like a fantastic ague; save that here
Those are my best days, when I shake with feare.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One
Introduction
John Donne's "Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One" is a complex and intriguing poem that explores the paradoxical nature of human existence. In it, Donne grapples with the idea that the things we desire most in life are often the very things that cause us the most pain and suffering.
Analysis
The poem begins with a sense of frustration and desperation as the speaker cries out, "Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to explore the many contradictions and paradoxes that make up the human experience.
The first stanza focuses on the idea of life and death, as the speaker laments the fact that even though we all know we will eventually die, we still cling to life and fight against death. The lines, "Joyes season'd high, and low, and lowly sorrow, / Ring in mine eares, and make me seeke thyorrow," suggest that even though we experience both joy and sorrow in life, it is the latter that ultimately leads us to seek out God and search for meaning in our existence.
The second stanza delves deeper into the paradoxical nature of human desire, as the speaker contemplates the idea that the things we crave most in life are often the very things that cause us the most pain and suffering. The lines, "I joy, that in these straits I see my west; / For, though their currents yeeld returne to none, / What shalts thou finde in the end ere thy begunne?" suggest that even though we may find some temporary satisfaction in the things we desire, ultimately they will lead us to destruction and despair.
The third stanza focuses on the idea of sin and redemption, as the speaker reflects on the fact that even though we are all sinners and fall short of God's grace, we can still find salvation through faith in Christ. The lines, "Who, intimately lives with mirth, / And drownes thy brimmes in sweetes that never faile," suggest that even though we may be tempted by the pleasures of the world, we can find true happiness and fulfillment through our relationship with God.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the idea of death and the afterlife. The lines, "And teach me how to die, that I may rise / Up in the resurrection day with thee," suggest that even though death may be a frightening and uncertain prospect, we can find comfort and hope in the promise of eternal life.
Interpretation
Donne's "Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One" is a powerful meditation on the paradoxical nature of human existence. Through his exploration of themes such as life and death, desire and suffering, sin and redemption, and the afterlife, Donne invites the reader to reflect on the many contradictions and complexities that make up our lives.
At its core, the poem is a reminder that even though we may experience pain, suffering, and uncertainty in this life, we can find hope and meaning through our faith in God. By embracing the paradoxes that make up our existence and trusting in God's guidance, we can find peace and comfort even in the face of death and despair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Donne's "Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the paradoxical nature of human existence. Through his masterful use of language and imagery, Donne invites the reader to reflect on the many contradictions and complexities that make up our lives, and to find hope and meaning through our faith in God. Whether read as a meditation on death and the afterlife, or as a reminder of the importance of embracing life's many paradoxes, this poem remains a timeless and deeply moving work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One is a classic poem written by John Donne, a renowned English poet and cleric of the 16th and 17th centuries. This poem is a perfect example of Donne's metaphysical poetry, which is characterized by its intellectual and philosophical nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to be vexed by contraries. He wants to experience the extremes of life, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows. He wants to feel the full range of human emotions, even if it means experiencing pain and suffering. The speaker believes that this is the only way to truly understand the nature of existence and to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker uses paradoxical language to express his desire for contraries. He says, "Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one: / Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot / A constant habit." Here, the speaker is saying that he wants to be vexed by the meeting of opposites. He wants to experience the inconsistency of life, which has given birth to a constant habit. This paradoxical language is a hallmark of Donne's metaphysical poetry.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to express his desire for contraries. He says, "Alysin, beauty, and increase of store, / By a contrary, are grown." Here, the speaker is saying that things that are supposed to be good, such as wealth and beauty, can become bad when they are taken to extremes. He wants to experience the negative aspects of these things, such as greed and vanity, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their true nature.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "We see by this, how little short / Man comes of godliness, / Who loves not to be tossed and wracked, / But seeks himself in rest." Here, the speaker is saying that those who seek comfort and stability in life are missing out on the true nature of existence. They are not truly living, but merely existing. The speaker believes that it is only through experiencing the extremes of life that one can achieve spiritual enlightenment and become closer to God.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a prayer. The speaker says, "Crush, break, blow, burn, and make me new. / I, like an usurped town, to another due, / Labor to admit you, but O, to no end." Here, the speaker is asking God to break him down and rebuild him anew. He wants to be transformed, to become a new person who is closer to God. The speaker acknowledges that this transformation will not be easy, but he is willing to endure the pain and suffering in order to achieve it.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which adds to its power and impact. The poem is also divided into four stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and message. This structure allows the poem to build in intensity and power, culminating in the final stanza, which is a powerful prayer.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of paradoxes and oxymorons. These are used to express the speaker's desire for contraries and to highlight the contradictions and complexities of life. For example, the speaker says, "Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot / A constant habit." This is a paradox, as inconstancy and constancy are opposites. The use of paradoxes and oxymorons is a hallmark of Donne's metaphysical poetry.
In conclusion, Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of life and the human experience. The speaker's desire for contraries is a metaphor for the extremes of life, the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows. The poem is full of paradoxes and oxymorons, which add to its power and impact. The structure of the poem is also noteworthy, with each stanza building in intensity and power. Overall, this poem is a testament to Donne's skill as a poet and his ability to explore complex philosophical and spiritual themes in his work.
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