'On The Progress Of The Soul...' by John Donne
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OF THE PROGRESS OF THE SOUL Wherein, by occasion of the religious death of
Mistress Elizabeth Drury, the incommodities of the soul in this her life,
and her exaltation in the next, are contemplated THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY
Forget this rotten world, and unto thee
Let thine own times as an old story be.
Be not concern'd; study not why, nor when;
Do not so much as not believe a man.
For though to err, be worst, to try truths forth
Is far more business than this world is worth.
I'he world is but a carcass; thou art fed
By it, but as a worm, that carcass bred;
And why shouldst thou, poor worm, consider more,
When this world will grow better than before,
Than those thy fellow-worms do think upon
That carcass's last resurrection?
Forget this world, and scarce think of it so,
As of old clothes, cast off a year ago.
To be thus stupid is alacrity;
Men thus lethargic have best memory.
Look upward; that's towards her, whose happy state
We now lament not, but congratulate.
She, to whom all this world was but a stage,
Where all sat heark'ning how her youthful age
Should be employ'd, because in all she did
Some figure of the golden times was hid.
Who could not lack, what'er this world could give,
Because she was the form, that made it live;
Nor could complain that this world was unfit
To be stay'd in, then when she was in it;
She, that first tried indifferent desires
By virtue, and virtue by religious fires;
She, to whose person paradise adher'd,
As courts to princes; she, whose eyes enspher'd
Star-light enough t' have made the South control,
(Had she been there) the star-full Northern Pole;
She, she is gone; she is gone; when thou knowest this,
What fragmentary rubbish this world is
Thou knowest, and that it is not worth a thought;
He honours it too much that thinks it nought.
Think then, my soul, that death is but a groom,
Which brings a taper to the outward room,
Whence thou spiest first a little glimmering light,
And after brings it nearer to thy sight;
For such approaches doth heaven make in death.
Think thyself labouring now with broken breath,
And think those broken and soft notes to be
Division, and thy happiest harmony.
Think thee laid on thy death-bed, loose and slack,
And think that but unbinding of a pack,
To take one precious thing, thy soul, from thence.
Think thyself parch'd with fever's violence;
Anger thine ague more, by calling it
Thy physic; chide the slackness of the fit.
Think that thou hear'st thy knell, and think no more,
But that, as bells call'd thee to church before,
So this to the Triumphant Church calls thee.
Think Satan's sergeants round about thee be,
And think that but for legacies they thrust;
Give one thy pride, to'another give thy lust;
Give them those sins which they gave thee before,
And trust th' immaculate blood to wash thy score.
Think thy friends weeping round, and think that they
Weep but because they go not yet thy way.
Think that they close thine eyes, and think in this,
That they confess much in the world amiss,
Who dare not trust a dead man's eye with that
Which they from God and angels cover not.
Think that they shroud thee up, and think from thence
They reinvest thee in white innocence.
Think that thy body rots, and (if so low,
Thy soul exalted so, thy thoughts can go)
Think thee a prince, who of themselves create
Worms, which insensibly devour their state.
Think that they bury thee, and think that rite
Lays thee to sleep but a Saint Lucy's night.
....
Editor 1 Interpretation
On The Progress Of The Soul by John Donne: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
John Donne's "On the Progress of the Soul" is a beautiful and complex work of poetry. Written in the seventeenth century, it reflects the religious and philosophical debates of the time, while also exploring deeply personal themes such as spiritual growth and the nature of the human soul. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery, as well as its historical context and reception.
Historical Context and Reception
First, let us consider the historical context and reception of "On the Progress of the Soul." Donne was a prominent figure in the religious and political life of seventeenth-century England, serving as a priest and later as a dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. His poetry was widely read and admired in his lifetime, but it also attracted controversy for its sometimes daring and unconventional themes and language.
"On the Progress of the Soul" was first published in 1601 as part of Donne's collection "Divine Poems," which also included such famous works as "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" and "Holy Sonnets." The collection was well-received, but it was also criticized by some for its use of erotic and metaphysical imagery, which some readers considered blasphemous or indecent.
Over the centuries, Donne's poetry has continued to be admired and studied, but its reputation has also fluctuated depending on prevailing literary and cultural trends. In the nineteenth century, for example, Donne's poetry was often dismissed as overly complex and obscure, while in the twentieth century it was rediscovered and celebrated by such modernist poets as T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden.
Themes
Now, let us turn to the themes of "On the Progress of the Soul." The poem is structured as a series of meditations or prayers, in which the speaker reflects on the spiritual journey of the soul from its earthly incarnation to its ultimate union with God. Along the way, the speaker grapples with such philosophical and theological questions as the nature of free will, the relationship between mind and body, and the role of suffering and temptation in the soul's growth.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of erotic language and imagery to describe the soul's journey. The speaker frequently compares the soul's longing for God to the sensual desire of lovers, and uses metaphors drawn from sexual and romantic relationships to describe the soul's attempts to overcome sin and temptation. This use of erotic imagery was controversial in Donne's time, but it also reflects his belief that the physical and spiritual realms are intimately connected, and that the highest form of love is that which unites body and soul in the service of God.
Another important theme of the poem is the tension between divine grace and human effort in the soul's progress. The speaker acknowledges that the soul cannot achieve salvation on its own, but must rely on God's mercy and grace to overcome its weaknesses and temptations. At the same time, however, the speaker emphasizes the importance of human effort and striving in the spiritual life, and describes the soul's journey as a process of gradual purification and transformation.
Structure and Language
The structure and language of "On the Progress of the Soul" are closely intertwined with its themes. The poem is divided into five sections, each of which corresponds to a stage in the soul's journey. Within each section, the speaker employs a variety of rhetorical devices, including metaphor, paradox, apostrophe, and allusion, to convey the complexity and richness of the soul's experience.
One of the most striking features of the poem's language is its use of conceits, or elaborate and extended metaphors, to convey spiritual truths. For example, in the first section, the speaker compares the soul to a "captive prince," imprisoned in the body but yearning for freedom and reunion with its divine source. This metaphor is developed throughout the section, as the speaker describes the soul's attempts to escape its earthly bonds and ascend to higher realms of spiritual understanding.
Another notable aspect of the poem's language is its use of paradox and tension to convey the complexity of the soul's journey. For example, in the second section, the speaker describes the soul's experience of temptation and sin as both painful and pleasurable, acknowledging the allure of sin even as he warns against its dangers. This tension between attraction and repulsion is a recurring theme throughout the poem, reflecting Donne's belief that the spiritual life is a constant struggle between the forces of light and darkness.
Imagery
Finally, let us consider the imagery of "On the Progress of the Soul." As we have seen, the poem relies heavily on erotic and metaphysical imagery to convey the soul's journey. The speaker frequently uses the language of courtship and love to describe the soul's longing for God, and draws on a wide range of literary and theological sources to create a rich and evocative tapestry of image and meaning.
One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "marriage bed" between the soul and God, which is described in the final section as the ultimate goal of the soul's journey. This image reflects Donne's belief that the spiritual life is a form of ecstatic union with the divine, and that the highest form of love is that which unites the individual soul with its divine source.
Another important image in the poem is that of the "labyrinth" of the soul's journey, which is described in the second section as a confusing and treacherous path full of pitfalls and obstacles. This image reflects the speaker's awareness of the difficulties and challenges of the spiritual life, and his belief that the soul must rely on divine guidance and grace to navigate its way through the complexities of the human condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "On the Progress of the Soul" is a complex and beautiful work of poetry that reflects Donne's deep spiritual and philosophical insights. Through its themes, structure, language, and imagery, the poem explores the nature of the human soul and the challenges and joys of the spiritual journey. Although it was controversial in its own time, the poem continues to inspire readers today with its profound insights and rich poetic language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On The Progress Of The Soul: A Journey Through John Donne's Spiritual Odyssey
John Donne, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores the complexities of human experience and the mysteries of the divine. One of his most famous works, "Poetry On The Progress Of The Soul," is a profound meditation on the journey of the soul from earthly life to eternal rest. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this remarkable poem, and delve into the spiritual insights that it offers.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which represents a stage in the soul's journey. The first section, "The Soul's Dark Cottage," describes the state of the soul before it begins its journey. Donne uses vivid imagery to convey the soul's isolation and confusion, as it is trapped in the "dark cottage" of the body. The soul is like a prisoner, unable to escape the confines of its mortal shell, and is tormented by the "thick and heavy" air of the world. The language here is dense and complex, reflecting the soul's struggle to articulate its experience. Donne uses paradoxical phrases like "busy idleness" and "restless quietness" to convey the soul's sense of being trapped in a state of limbo, neither fully alive nor fully dead.
The second section, "The Soul in Paraphrase," describes the soul's awakening to the divine. Here, Donne uses the metaphor of a book to represent the soul's journey towards enlightenment. The soul is like a book that is being read by God, and as it is read, it begins to understand its true nature. The language here is more lyrical and fluid, reflecting the soul's growing sense of clarity and purpose. Donne uses images of light and sound to convey the soul's awakening, as it is "tuned" to the divine and begins to resonate with the music of the spheres. The soul is no longer trapped in the dark cottage of the body, but is beginning to transcend its earthly limitations and reach towards the heavens.
The third section, "The Soul's Last Battel," describes the soul's final struggle before it reaches its ultimate destination. Donne uses the imagery of a battle to convey the soul's struggle against the forces of darkness and temptation. The language here is more urgent and intense, reflecting the soul's sense of urgency as it faces its final test. Donne uses images of fire and water to convey the soul's struggle, as it is purified by the flames of divine love and cleansed by the waters of baptism. The soul is no longer a prisoner, but a warrior, fighting for its place in the eternal kingdom.
Throughout the poem, Donne uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey the spiritual journey of the soul. He uses metaphor, simile, and personification to give voice to the soul's experience, and his use of paradox and ambiguity reflects the complexity of the spiritual journey. The poem is also rich in religious imagery, drawing on Christian symbolism to convey the soul's relationship with God. The language is often dense and complex, reflecting the soul's struggle to articulate its experience, but it is also lyrical and beautiful, conveying the soul's growing sense of clarity and purpose.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its emphasis on the importance of the body in the spiritual journey. Donne does not see the body as a hindrance to the soul's progress, but as an essential part of its journey. The soul is not separate from the body, but is intimately connected to it, and it is through the body that the soul experiences the world and comes to understand its own nature. The body is not a prison, but a vessel, and it is through the body that the soul is able to transcend its earthly limitations and reach towards the divine.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of divine love. Donne sees love as the driving force behind the soul's journey, and it is through love that the soul is able to overcome the forces of darkness and temptation. Love is not just an emotion, but a spiritual force that transforms the soul and enables it to reach towards the heavens. Donne's use of fire and water imagery reflects this idea, as fire represents the purifying power of divine love, while water represents the cleansing power of baptism.
In conclusion, "Poetry On The Progress Of The Soul" is a profound meditation on the spiritual journey of the soul. Through vivid imagery, complex language, and rich religious symbolism, Donne conveys the soul's struggle to transcend its earthly limitations and reach towards the divine. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the importance of the body in the spiritual journey, and it continues to inspire readers today with its timeless message of hope and redemption.
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