'Love's Usury' by John Donne
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For every hour that thou wilt spare me now
I will allow,
Usurious God of Love, twenty to thee,
When with my brown my gray hairs equal be;
Till then, Love, let my body reign, and let
Me travel, sojourn, snatch, plot, have, forget,
Resume my last year's relic: think that yet
We'had never met.
Let me think any rival's letter mine,
And at next nine
Keep midnight's promise; mistake by the way
The maid, and tell the Lady of that delay;
Only let me love none, no, not the sport;
From country grass, to comfitures of Court,
Or cities quelque choses, let report
My mind transport.
This bargain's good; if when I'm old, I be
Inflamed by thee,
If thine own honour, or my shame, or pain,
Thou covet most, at that age thou shalt gain.
Do thy will then, then subject and degree,
And fruit of love, Love I submit to thee;
Spare me till then, I'll bear it, though she be
One that loves me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Love's Usury by John Donne: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
John Donne is widely known for his metaphysical poetry, which is characterized by its intellectual and philosophical depth. One of his most famous works, Love's Usury, is a sonnet that explores the idea that love is not free but comes at a price. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance and relevance today.
Themes
One of the main themes in Love's Usury is the idea that love is a transaction. Donne argues that love is not a spontaneous feeling but a calculated decision that involves a give-and-take. He compares love to usury, which is the practice of lending money at high interest rates. By using this metaphor, Donne suggests that love is not an emotional bond between two people but a business deal where each party expects something in return.
Another theme in this poem is the idea that love can be destructive. Donne describes love as a "luxury" that "destroys" those who indulge in it. He suggests that love can be addictive and can lead to obsession, jealousy, and even madness. In this sense, Love's Usury can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of love.
Imagery
Donne uses vivid imagery to convey his ideas about love. One of the most striking images in the poem is the comparison of love to usury. Donne describes love as a "usurer" who "feeds on men's flesh and blood." This image is both powerful and disturbing, as it suggests that love is a parasitic force that preys on human vulnerability.
Another image that Donne uses is that of a "shepherd" who cares for his flock. This image is used to contrast with the image of the usurer, who exploits his customers. Donne suggests that love should be like a shepherd who protects and nurtures his flock, rather than a usurer who profits from their misery.
Finally, Donne uses the image of a "bond" to describe the relationship between lovers. He suggests that love is like a legal contract that binds two people together. This image reinforces the theme of love as a transaction and emphasizes the idea that love comes with obligations and responsibilities.
Language
Donne's use of language in Love's Usury is both complex and poetic. He employs a range of literary devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and enjambment, to create a rich and nuanced text.
One of the most striking features of Donne's language is his use of puns and wordplay. For example, he describes love as a "disease" that "spreads" from one person to another. This wordplay highlights the infectious nature of love and reinforces the idea that it can be both pleasurable and dangerous.
Another example of Donne's use of language is his repeated use of the words "give" and "take." These words are used to convey the idea of love as a transaction and emphasize the idea that both parties in a relationship have expectations and obligations.
Finally, Donne's use of enjambment is particularly effective in Love's Usury. By running lines together, he creates a sense of urgency and momentum that drives the poem forward. This technique also reinforces the idea that love is a force that cannot be contained or controlled.
Interpretation
Love's Usury is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways. One interpretation is that Donne is criticizing the materialistic and transactional nature of love in his era. In the 17th century, marriage was often seen as a business arrangement rather than a romantic union, and Donne may be challenging this view of love.
Another interpretation is that Donne is warning against the dangers of love. By comparing love to a disease and a luxury, he suggests that it can be both pleasurable and destructive. He may be cautioning his readers not to indulge too much in love and to be aware of its potential pitfalls.
Finally, Love's Usury can be interpreted as a critique of the patriarchal society in which Donne lived. By using the metaphor of a usurer, he may be suggesting that men are exploiting women in relationships and treating them as commodities rather than as equals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Love's Usury is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of love in a complex and nuanced way. Through his use of imagery, language, and themes, John Donne challenges his readers to think critically about the way in which love operates in society. Whether we interpret the poem as a critique of materialism, a warning about the dangers of love, or a critique of patriarchy, it remains a relevant and timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Love's Usury: An Analysis of John Donne's Classic Poem
John Donne's Love's Usury is a classic poem that explores the complex nature of love and the price that one must pay for it. The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. In this article, we will analyze the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying that he has given her his heart, and she has given him hers in return. However, he goes on to say that love is not a free gift, but rather a loan that must be repaid with interest. This metaphor of love as usury sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central theme of the poem: the cost of love.
The first quatrain of the poem describes the initial stages of love, where the lovers are still in the honeymoon phase and everything seems perfect. The speaker compares this to a loan that is given freely, without any expectation of repayment. However, he quickly points out that this is not the case with love, as it always comes with a price. The use of the word "usury" in the title and throughout the poem is significant, as it refers to the practice of charging interest on a loan, which was considered a sin in Donne's time.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes the cost of love in more detail. He says that love demands interest, and that interest is paid in tears and sighs. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that love is not just an emotional experience, but a physical one as well. The use of the word "usurer" to describe love further emphasizes this idea, as it suggests that love is a cruel and demanding master.
The third quatrain of the poem takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and its relationship to time. He says that love is like a clock that never stops ticking, and that it demands payment even after death. This is a poignant image, as it suggests that love is not just a temporary emotion, but a timeless one that transcends death.
The final couplet of the poem brings the themes of the poem together and offers a resolution. The speaker says that he is willing to pay the price of love, even if it means giving up his life. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that love is worth any cost, no matter how high.
In terms of language, the poem is rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of the metaphor of love as usury is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to explore the complex nature of love in a way that is both concrete and abstract. The use of the word "usurer" to describe love is also significant, as it suggests that love is a powerful force that demands respect and reverence.
The poem is also notable for its use of paradox. The idea that love is both a loan and a gift, both a pleasure and a pain, is a paradox that runs throughout the poem. This paradoxical nature of love is further emphasized by the use of oxymorons, such as "sweet sour" and "cold fire."
In terms of structure, the poem follows the traditional sonnet form, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The use of iambic pentameter, which is a rhythmic pattern of five iambs per line, gives the poem a musical quality and emphasizes the importance of each word.
In conclusion, Love's Usury is a classic poem that explores the complex nature of love and the price that one must pay for it. The poem is rich in imagery, metaphor, and paradox, and its use of the sonnet form gives it a musical quality that is both beautiful and powerful. The poem's central theme of the cost of love is one that resonates with readers even today, and its message that love is worth any price is one that will continue to inspire and move us for generations to come.
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