'The Paradox' by John Donne
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No Lover saith, I love, nor any other
Can judge a perfect Lover;
Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree
That any loves but hee;
I cannot say I'lov'd. for who can say
Hee was kill'd yesterday?
Lover withh excesse of heat, more yong than old,
Death kills with too much cold;
Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,
Hee that saith twice, doth lye:
For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,
It doth the sense beguile.
Such life is like the light which bideth yet
When the lights life is set,
Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter
Leave behinde, two houres after.
Once I lov's and dy'd; and am now become
Mine Epitaph and Tombe.
Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;
Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Paradox by John Donne: A Masterpiece of Paradoxical Thought
John Donne was a master of paradoxical thought, and nowhere is this more apparent than in his stunning poem, "The Paradox." In this poem, Donne unleashes a torrent of seemingly contradictory statements, only to resolve them in a way that leaves the reader breathless. This is not just a poem; it is a puzzle, a brainteaser, a philosophical tour-de-force. And it is a joy to read, over and over again.
Structure of the Poem
"The Paradox" is a sonnet, a form that Donne excelled in. It consists of fourteen lines, divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and two tercets (three-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet.
The language of the poem is rich and dense, and it demands close attention. Donne uses a variety of rhetorical devices, such as antithesis, paradox, and hyperbole, to create a sense of tension and complexity.
The Paradoxical Statements
Let's take a closer look at some of the paradoxical statements in the poem:
No lover saith, I love, nor any other Can judge a perfect lover; He may love less, who esteems above All things, the love of God.
This first quatrain sets up the central paradox of the poem: that the perfect lover is one who does not claim to love, and who loves God above all else. This seems to contradict our usual understanding of love, which is passionate, expressive, and focused on a particular person or thing. But Donne is playing with our expectations here, and inviting us to consider a different kind of love, one that transcends the human realm.
The second quatrain deepens the paradox:
For God is love, and never did man speak Greater devotion, than when men seek What God doth do; or say, that men have wings, And mount when God doth call; ...
Here Donne is suggesting that the love of God is the highest form of love, and that it requires a kind of self-negation or surrender. The paradox here is that by denying one's own desires and submitting to God's will, one can achieve a greater sense of freedom and transcendence.
The first tercet adds further complexity to the paradox:
If we love a rose, which fades in an hour, Of which we cannot find another flower, ...
Here Donne is pointing out the transience and fragility of human love, and suggesting that it is ultimately unsatisfying. The paradox is that we still seek out love, despite its impermanence and limitations.
The final tercet resolves the paradox in a surprising way:
He that is firmly planted in his sphere, Observes not, but who notes his neighbor near; And, sounding forth the praise of what he feels, ...
Here Donne is saying that true love is not about expressing oneself or seeking attention, but about being rooted in one's own being and recognizing the beauty in others. The paradox is that by letting go of one's own ego and desires, one can find a deeper and more meaningful connection to the world.
Interpretation and Criticism
The Paradox is one of Donne's most complex and thought-provoking poems, and it has been interpreted in many different ways. Some readers see it as a celebration of spiritual love, while others see it as a critique of romantic love. Some see it as a statement about the limits of human understanding, while others see it as a call to transcend those limits.
One criticism of the poem is that it can be difficult to understand, especially for readers who are not familiar with Donne's style or the metaphysical tradition. Some readers may find the paradoxical statements confusing or contradictory, and may struggle to see the underlying coherence of the poem.
Another criticism is that the poem is too abstract and intellectual, and that it fails to connect with readers on an emotional level. Some readers may find the language and imagery of the poem cold or distant, and may have trouble relating to the ideas it presents.
However, these criticisms miss the point of the poem, which is to challenge our assumptions and invite us to think deeply about the nature of love and the human condition. The Paradox is not a poem that can be fully understood on a single reading; it requires time, patience, and reflection. But for those who are willing to engage with it, it offers a profound and rewarding experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Paradox is a masterpiece of paradoxical thought, and a testament to John Donne's skill as a poet and philosopher. Its complex and contradictory statements challenge us to rethink our assumptions about love and human nature, and invite us to explore the mysteries of the universe. It is a poem that demands close attention and careful interpretation, but for those who are willing to engage with it, it offers a wealth of insights and pleasures.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Paradox by John Donne is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for centuries. This poem is a perfect example of the metaphysical poetry that was popular during the 17th century. The poem is a paradoxical statement that challenges the reader's understanding of love and the human experience. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a paradoxical statement, "No love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." This statement is a paradox because it seems to contradict itself. Love is supposed to be unchanging and eternal, yet the speaker suggests that love can change when it encounters change. The paradoxical nature of this statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem and challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of love.
The second line of the poem, "Or bends with the remover to remove," further emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the first line. The speaker suggests that love can bend and change to accommodate the person who is leaving. This line suggests that love is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and adaptable one. The use of the word "remover" also adds to the paradoxical nature of the poem. The word suggests that the person leaving is removing something, yet the speaker suggests that love can bend to accommodate this removal.
The third line of the poem, "O no! it is an ever-fixed mark," provides a resolution to the paradoxical nature of the first two lines. The speaker suggests that true love is an "ever-fixed mark" that does not change or bend. This line suggests that the first two lines were not a contradiction but rather a challenge to the reader's understanding of love. The use of the word "mark" also suggests that love is a goal or destination that is unchanging and eternal.
The fourth line of the poem, "That looks on tempests and is never shaken," further emphasizes the unchanging nature of true love. The speaker suggests that true love can withstand any storm or tempest and remain unshaken. This line suggests that true love is a source of strength and stability in the face of adversity.
The fifth line of the poem, "It is the star to every wand'ring bark," adds to the metaphorical nature of the poem. The speaker suggests that true love is like a star that guides every wandering ship to its destination. This line suggests that true love is a guiding force that helps people find their way in life.
The sixth line of the poem, "Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken," adds to the mystery and complexity of true love. The speaker suggests that the worth of true love is unknown, even though its height can be measured. This line suggests that true love is a complex and mysterious entity that cannot be fully understood or measured.
The seventh and final line of the poem, "Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks," provides a final resolution to the paradoxical nature of the poem. The speaker suggests that true love is not subject to the passing of time, even though physical beauty may fade. This line suggests that true love is eternal and unchanging, even in the face of physical decay.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The poem is written in a sonnet form, which was popular during the 17th century. The sonnet form consists of 14 lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of the sonnet form adds to the formal and structured nature of the poem. The use of iambic pentameter also adds to the formal nature of the poem. The use of formal language and structure suggests that the poem is a serious and important statement about the nature of love.
The use of literary devices is also significant in this poem. The use of paradox is the most significant literary device in the poem. The paradoxical nature of the poem challenges the reader's understanding of love and forces them to think deeply about its nature. The use of metaphor is also significant in the poem. The metaphorical language adds to the complexity and mystery of true love. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the formal and structured nature of the poem.
In conclusion, The Paradox by John Donne is a classic poem that challenges the reader's understanding of love. The paradoxical nature of the poem forces the reader to think deeply about the nature of love and its unchanging and eternal qualities. The use of formal language, structure, and literary devices adds to the complexity and mystery of true love. This poem is a perfect example of the metaphysical poetry that was popular during the 17th century and is still relevant today.
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