'Hym To God, My God In My Sickness' by John Donne
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Since I am coming to that holy room,
Where, with thy choir of saints for evermore,
I shall be made thy music; as I come
I tune the instrument here at the door,
And what I must do then, think here before.
Whilst my physicians by their love are grown
Cosmographers, and I their map, who lie
Flat on this bed, that by them may be shown
That this is my south-west discovery,
[lang l]Per fretum febris[lang e], by these straits to die,
pmdv3 n="33-11">I joy, that in these straits I see my west;
For, though their currents yield return to none,
What shall my west hurt me? As west and east
In all flat maps (and I am one) are one,
So death doth touch the resurrection.
Is the Pacific Sea my home? Or are
The eastern riches? Is Jerusalem?
Anyan, and Magellan, and Gibraltar,
All straits, and none but straits, are ways to them,
Whether where Japhet dwelt, or Cham, or Shem.
We think that Paradise and Calvary,
Christ's cross, and Adam's tree, stood in one place;
Look, Lord, and find both Adams met in me;
As the first Adam's sweat surrounds my face,
May the last Adam's blood my soul embrace.
So, in his purple wrapp'd, receive me, Lord;
By these his thorns, give me his other crown;
And as to others' souls I preach'd thy word,
Be this my text, my sermon to mine own:
"Therefore that he may raise, the Lord throws down."
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness" by John Donne: A Divine Expression of Suffering and Faith
John Donne, the celebrated poet and divine of the seventeenth century, had a unique way of expressing his religious beliefs through his poetry. In his poem "Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness," Donne explores his faith in God in the face of his own impending death. The poem is a powerful expression of suffering and faith, and is considered one of Donne's greatest works.
The Context: Donne's Life and Times
Before we delve into an analysis of the poem, it is necessary to understand the context in which it was written. Donne was a man of great intellect and passion, and his life was marked by both personal and religious turmoil. He was born into a Catholic family in England, but later converted to Anglicanism and became a priest. Despite his religious calling, he was not always a devout Christian. In fact, he led a rather worldly life in his early years, and only later became a zealous believer.
In the later years of his life, Donne suffered from a variety of illnesses, including what is believed to have been stomach cancer. It was during this time that he wrote "Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness." The poem is a reflection of his faith in God, and his acceptance of death as part of God's plan.
The Poem: Analysis and Interpretation
The poem is structured in four stanzas of seven lines each, and follows a regular rhyming scheme. Each stanza begins with the same line: "Since I am coming to that holy room." This repetition creates a sense of ritual or ceremony, as if Donne is preparing himself for a spiritual journey.
The first stanza introduces the theme of the poem: Donne's impending death. He describes his body as a "little world," and his soul as a "heaven." He acknowledges that his life is coming to an end, but expresses his faith in God's mercy and love. He believes that God will receive him into His presence when he dies, and that he will be reunited with his soul in heaven.
The second stanza is a meditation on the nature of God. Donne describes God as "our truest light," and as "our day." He acknowledges the power and majesty of God, but also recognizes His mercy and compassion. He believes that God understands his suffering, and that He will be with him in his final moments.
The third stanza is a prayer to God. Donne asks God to forgive him for his sins, and to cleanse him of his impurities. He acknowledges that he is not worthy of God's grace, but believes that God will show him mercy because of his faith. He also asks God to prepare him for death, and to help him face it with courage and faith.
The final stanza is a declaration of faith. Donne states that he believes in the resurrection of the dead, and in the eternal life that awaits him in heaven. He expresses his faith in God's plan, and his willingness to accept whatever fate God has in store for him. He ends the poem with a powerful statement: "Thy Son, who is love, and whom thou gave'st to be / Thy way, in me / behold." This statement is a reaffirmation of his faith in God's love and mercy, and a recognition of Christ as the way to salvation.
Themes and Motifs
"Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness" is a rich and complex poem that touches on a variety of themes and motifs. One of the central themes of the poem is faith. Donne's faith in God is unshakeable, even in the face of death. He believes that God is merciful and loving, and that He will receive him into His presence when he dies. This faith gives him the strength to face his own mortality with courage and acceptance.
Another important theme of the poem is suffering. Donne's illness is a source of great physical and emotional pain, but he accepts it as part of God's plan. He believes that his suffering has a purpose, and that it will ultimately lead him closer to God. This acceptance of suffering is a common motif in Christian literature, and reflects the belief that suffering can be a means of spiritual purification.
The motif of light is also prominent in the poem. Donne describes God as "our truest light," and as "our day." This imagery suggests that God is the source of all light and truth, and that He is the ultimate guide for those who seek spiritual enlightenment. The use of light also reinforces the idea of faith as a source of strength and guidance.
Conclusion
"Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness" is a powerful expression of faith and suffering. Donne's poetry is both beautiful and profound, and his words are still relevant today. The poem reminds us that even in the face of death, faith can give us the strength to endure. It is a testament to the power of religious belief, and a celebration of the human spirit. As we read Donne's words, we are reminded of the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of all faith: that there is a higher power that gives meaning and purpose to our lives, and that this power is with us, even in our darkest moments.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Hymn to God, My God in My Sickness: A Masterpiece of John Donne
John Donne, the famous English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, death, and religion. One of his most celebrated works is the "Hymn to God, My God in My Sickness," a deeply personal and spiritual poem that reflects Donne's own struggles with illness and mortality. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this masterpiece and analyze its significance in the context of Donne's life and work.
The poem is a prayer addressed to God, in which the speaker expresses his faith and trust in God's mercy and grace, even in the face of death. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with God. In the first stanza, the speaker expresses his longing for God's presence and his desire to be reunited with Him. He compares his soul to a "little world made cunningly" and asks God to "break, blow, burn" him, so that he may be purified and made whole again.
The second stanza is a meditation on the nature of God and His relationship to the world. The speaker acknowledges that God is both transcendent and immanent, and that His presence can be found in all things. He also reflects on the paradoxical nature of God's love, which is both "fierce" and "sweet." The speaker recognizes that God's love is not always easy to understand or accept, but he trusts in it nonetheless.
The final stanza is a plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. The speaker acknowledges his own sinfulness and unworthiness, but he also expresses his faith in God's grace and his hope for salvation. He asks God to "take away this sinne" and to "make me new." The poem ends with a powerful affirmation of the speaker's faith and trust in God, as he declares, "I shall rise again."
The structure of the poem is complex and highly symbolic. The use of the triptych, or three-part structure, is significant, as it reflects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the three stages of spiritual development: purgation, illumination, and union. The repeated use of the phrase "take me to thee" also reflects the speaker's desire for spiritual union with God.
The language of the poem is rich and dense, filled with metaphors, paradoxes, and allusions. The use of the conceit, or extended metaphor, is particularly effective, as it allows Donne to explore complex ideas in a vivid and memorable way. For example, the comparison of the soul to a "little world made cunningly" is both striking and profound, as it suggests that the soul is a microcosm of the larger universe, and that both are subject to the same laws and forces.
The use of paradox is also a hallmark of Donne's poetry, and it is particularly evident in this poem. The idea of God's love being both "fierce" and "sweet" is a prime example of this, as it suggests that God's love is both powerful and gentle, both demanding and comforting. The paradoxical nature of God's love is also reflected in the image of the "battering ram" and the "sweet perfume," which suggest that God's love can be both painful and pleasurable.
The allusions in the poem are also significant, as they reflect Donne's deep knowledge of the Bible and his familiarity with the Christian tradition. The reference to the "four last things" (death, judgment, heaven, and hell) is a common motif in Christian literature, and it underscores the speaker's awareness of his own mortality and his need for salvation. The reference to the "seraphim" and the "cherubim" also reflects the speaker's desire for spiritual enlightenment and his hope for a glimpse of the divine.
In the context of Donne's life and work, the "Hymn to God, My God in My Sickness" is a particularly poignant and powerful poem. Donne himself suffered from a variety of illnesses throughout his life, and he was acutely aware of his own mortality. The poem reflects his own struggles with illness and his deep faith in God's mercy and grace. It is also a testament to his skill as a poet and his ability to explore complex themes in a vivid and memorable way.
In conclusion, the "Hymn to God, My God in My Sickness" is a masterpiece of English poetry, and a testament to John Donne's skill as a poet and his deep faith in God. The poem explores complex themes of love, death, and religion, and it does so in a rich and dense language that is both striking and profound. The poem is a powerful expression of the human desire for spiritual union with God, and it remains a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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