'Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again' by John Donne
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O might those sighs and tears return again
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourn with some fruit, as I have mourned in vain;
In mine Idolatry what showers of rain
Mine eyes did waste! what griefs my heart did rent!
That sufferance was my sin; now I repent;
'Cause I did suffer I must suffer pain.
Th' hydropic drunkard, and night-scouting thief,
The itchy lecher, and self-tickling proud
Have the remembrance of past joys for relief
Of comming ills. To (poor) me is allowed
No ease; for long, yet vehement grief hath been
Th' effect and cause, the punishment and sin.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again
Introduction
"O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is a powerful and evocative poem by John Donne that explores the themes of redemption, sin, and forgiveness. Written in the form of a religious sonnet, the poem is a plea to God for mercy and salvation. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of guilt and the desire for redemption. In this literary criticism, I will explore the poem's themes, structure, form, and language, and argue that it is a masterful work of poetry that still resonates with readers today.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the desire for redemption and forgiveness. The speaker pleads with God to forgive his sins and to grant him salvation. The poem begins with the lines "O might those sighs and tears return again / Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent." These lines set the tone for the poem and establish the speaker's sense of guilt and regret. The speaker is consumed by the memory of his sins and longs for the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of sin and its consequences. The speaker acknowledges his wrongdoing and the fact that he has "spent" his tears and sighs in a way that he now regrets. He recognizes that his sins have separated him from God and that only through repentance and forgiveness can he be reconciled with God.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of grace and mercy. The speaker acknowledges that he is unworthy of God's forgiveness, but he still pleads for it. He recognizes that only through God's grace and mercy can he be saved. The poem is a powerful expression of the human longing for redemption and the hope that even the most sinful among us can be saved.
Structure and Form
The poem is a religious sonnet, which means that it follows a specific structure and form. It consists of fourteen lines, which are divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a sestet (six-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the sonnet form.
The structure and form of the poem contribute to its overall meaning and impact. The use of the sonnet form gives the poem a sense of controlled emotion and allows the speaker to express his emotions in a way that is both powerful and measured. The use of the rhyme scheme also gives the poem a sense of musicality and rhythm, which further enhances its impact.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery in the poem are rich and evocative. The use of the phrase "sighs and tears" in the opening lines creates a sense of sorrow and regret. The speaker's use of the word "spent" suggests that he has exhausted his emotional resources and is now seeking a way to replenish them.
The poem's imagery is also powerful. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "bankrupt" soul to describe his spiritual state. He acknowledges that he has nothing left to offer God and that only through God's mercy can he be saved. The use of this metaphor is particularly effective because it speaks to the universal human experience of feeling spiritually bankrupt and in need of salvation.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a plea for individual salvation. The speaker is asking God to forgive his sins and to grant him redemption. This interpretation speaks to the universal human desire for personal salvation and the hope that even the most sinful among us can be saved.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the nature of sin and its consequences. The speaker acknowledges that his sins have separated him from God and that only through repentance and forgiveness can he be reconciled with God. This interpretation speaks to the idea that sin has real consequences and that only through acknowledging our wrongdoing can we be redeemed.
Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of God's grace and mercy. The speaker acknowledges that he is unworthy of God's forgiveness, but he still pleads for it. This interpretation speaks to the idea that God's grace is freely given and that even the most unworthy among us can be saved through it.
Conclusion
"O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the universal human experiences of guilt, redemption, and salvation. Through its rich language and imagery, the poem speaks to the human longing for forgiveness and the hope that even the most sinful among us can be saved. Its structure and form contribute to its impact and make it a masterful work of poetry that still resonates with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again is a classic poem written by John Donne, a renowned English poet and cleric. This sonnet is a part of a larger collection of nineteen poems, known as the Holy Sonnets, which were written in the early seventeenth century. The poem is a reflection of the speaker's remorse and repentance for his past sins, and his plea for God's mercy and forgiveness.
The poem is structured in the form of a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDCD EE, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. The poem is divided into two parts, the first eight lines, or the octave, and the last six lines, or the sestet. The octave presents the problem or the situation, while the sestet offers a resolution or a solution.
The poem begins with the speaker's lamentation for his past sins, and his desire to return to the state of innocence and purity that he had lost. He longs for the tears and sighs that he had shed in his youth, which were a sign of his repentance and remorse. The speaker believes that his tears and sighs were a way of purging his soul of sin, and he wishes to experience that feeling again.
The first four lines of the poem, "O might those sighs and tears return again / Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent, / That I might in this holy discontent / Mourn with some fruit, as I have mourned in vain," express the speaker's desire to relive the past and to experience the same emotions that he had felt before. The phrase "holy discontent" suggests that the speaker's sorrow and remorse are not just a result of his guilt, but also a sign of his devotion to God.
In the next four lines, the speaker acknowledges that his past sins have separated him from God, and he pleads for God's mercy and forgiveness. He recognizes that he cannot undo his past actions, but he hopes that his repentance and remorse will be enough to earn God's forgiveness. The lines "In holy groans and sights, for some late gone, / And by thy love reanimate my hate, / Which I so often, and so vain, have slain, / That it becometh my desired fate," suggest that the speaker is willing to suffer and grieve for his sins, in the hope that God will forgive him.
The sestet of the poem offers a resolution to the speaker's problem. The speaker realizes that his past sins cannot be undone, but he can still strive to live a life of virtue and righteousness. He acknowledges that he is weak and prone to sin, but he hopes that God's grace will help him overcome his weaknesses. The lines "O thou that at thy feete doest bowe / Downe-stooping worlds, and hasting Angels sing / Thee and thy bones, and all thy goodnesse bring / To my poore soul, that neuer sought them now," suggest that the speaker is seeking God's help and guidance in his quest for redemption.
The final two lines of the poem, "Vindicate me, for love's sake, who am / So much from my own self estranged; thy sake and thy name," express the speaker's plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. The phrase "vindicate me" suggests that the speaker is seeking not just forgiveness, but also justification for his past actions. The speaker recognizes that he is estranged from himself and from God, but he hopes that God's love and mercy will bring him back into the fold.
In conclusion, Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again is a powerful poem that expresses the speaker's remorse and repentance for his past sins, and his plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. The poem is structured in the form of a sonnet, with a specific rhyme scheme and a clear division between the octave and the sestet. The poem is a testament to John Donne's skill as a poet, and his ability to express complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful manner.
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