'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

O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again by John Donne: A Critique and Interpretation

John Donne, an English poet and cleric, is widely considered one of the most important figures in the development of metaphysical poetry. "Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is one of Donne's most celebrated works. In this poem, Donne meditates on the concept of repentance and the possibility of redemption. The sonnet is structured as a prayer, with the speaker asking God to bring back the "sighs and tears" of his past repentance so that he can once again experience the cleansing power of forgiveness.

Structure and Form

Like most of Donne's holy sonnets, "O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" follows the Petrarchan sonnet form. The poem is divided into two sections: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the problem, while the sestet offers a solution. The rhyme scheme is ABBAABBA for the octave and CDCDCD for the sestet.

Donne's use of the Petrarchan sonnet form is particularly effective in this poem. The octave serves as a lamentation for the speaker's past sins and the loss of his fervent repentance. The repetition of "O might those sighs and tears return again" at the beginning of each quatrain emphasizes the speaker's yearning for the cleansing power of repentance. The sestet, on the other hand, offers a glimmer of hope. The final couplet, with its perfect rhyme, offers the promise of forgiveness and redemption.

Language and Imagery

Donne's use of language and imagery in "O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is particularly powerful. The first four lines of the poem are a series of rhetorical questions that emphasize the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The use of the word "dust" in line three is particularly striking, as it suggests the fragility of human life and the inevitability of our return to the earth.

The middle quatrain of the octave is particularly powerful. Donne uses the metaphor of a shipwreck to describe the speaker's fall from grace. The imagery of a ship being tossed about on stormy seas is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's sense of spiritual turmoil.

The final quatrain of the octave is a repetition of the opening lines, with the speaker once again asking for the return of his past repentance. The repetition of "O might those sighs and tears return again" emphasizes the speaker's yearning for forgiveness and the cleansing power of repentance.

The sestet offers a glimmer of hope. The first three lines are a series of rhetorical questions that emphasize the power of God's grace and the possibility of redemption. The final couplet offers the promise of forgiveness and redemption, with the speaker asking God to "take away this sinne to me againe." The use of the word "again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of repentance and forgiveness.

Themes

The central theme of "O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption. The poem emphasizes the cyclical nature of sin and repentance, with the speaker lamenting his fall from grace and asking for the return of his past repentance. The poem suggests that the cleansing power of repentance is necessary for true redemption.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. The opening lines of the poem emphasize the transience of life and the inevitability of our return to the earth. The poem suggests that true redemption can only be achieved by acknowledging the fragility of human life and the inevitability of our mortality.

Conclusion

"O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is a powerful meditation on the concept of repentance and the possibility of redemption. The poem's use of the Petrarchan sonnet form and powerful imagery emphasizes the cyclical nature of sin and repentance, and the central role of repentance in achieving redemption. The poem offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that true redemption is possible through acknowledging the fragility of human life and the power of God's grace. Overall, "O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again" is a powerful and moving work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Donne’s Holy Sonnet III, “O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again,” is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the speaker’s longing for a return to a time of spiritual purity and devotion. Through its use of vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and intense emotion, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of faith, sin, and redemption.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire for a return to a time when he was more devout and committed to his faith. He longs for the “sighs and tears” that he once shed in repentance for his sins, and he wishes that he could once again experience the “holy showers” of grace that he once received from God. The speaker’s use of the word “might” suggests that he is uncertain whether this return to spiritual purity is possible, but his intense longing for it is clear.

The second stanza of the poem introduces a series of metaphors that help to deepen the speaker’s exploration of his spiritual condition. He compares his soul to a “broken glass,” suggesting that it is fragile and fragmented, and he describes his sins as “cracks” that have shattered his spiritual integrity. The image of the “broken glass” also suggests that the speaker’s soul is in need of repair, and that it is only through the grace of God that it can be made whole again.

In the third stanza, the speaker continues to explore the theme of sin and redemption, using the metaphor of a “bath” to describe the cleansing power of God’s grace. He longs to be “washed” in this bath, to be purified of his sins and made whole again. The image of the “bath” also suggests a sense of renewal and rebirth, as if the speaker is seeking to be born again in the spirit.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces a new metaphor, that of a “furnace” that burns away impurities. The speaker longs to be purified in this furnace, to be made “bright and clean” through the fire of God’s love. The image of the furnace is a powerful one, suggesting both the intense heat of God’s love and the transformative power of suffering.

In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker returns to the theme of his longing for a return to spiritual purity. He expresses his desire to be “new made” in the image of Christ, to be transformed into a vessel of God’s grace and love. The use of the word “new” suggests a sense of renewal and rebirth, as if the speaker is seeking to be born again in the spirit.

Overall, Holy Sonnet III is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of sin, redemption, and spiritual purity. Through its use of vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and intense emotion, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of faith and the human condition. It is a testament to John Donne’s skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the human soul.

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