'Holy Sonnet XIX: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One' by John Donne

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Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vows, and in devotion.
As humorous is my contrition
As my profane love, and as soon forgot:
As riddlingly distempered, cold and hot,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view heaven yesterday; and today
In prayers and flattering speeches I court God:
Tomorrow I quake with true fear of his rod.
So my devout fits come and go away
Like a fantastic ague; save that here
Those are my best days, when I shake with feare.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One by John Donne

Have you ever been in a situation where everything seems to be going wrong, and your emotions are in a state of chaos? Well, that is the exact feeling that John Donne portrays in his poem "Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One." This poem is a religious sonnet that reflects on the contradictory feelings that arise in the speaker's mind as he contemplates his relationship with God. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem.

Background Information

John Donne was a 16th-century metaphysical poet who wrote extensively on the themes of love, death, and religion. He was born into a Roman Catholic family, but later converted to Anglicanism. Donne's religious beliefs are evident in his poetry, and "Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One" is no exception.

The poem is a part of a collection of 19 Holy Sonnets that Donne wrote between 1609 and 1610. The collection is widely regarded as one of his most significant works and explores the themes of sin, redemption, and salvation.

Poetic Devices

Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, it is essential to understand the poetic devices that Donne uses in his writing. The poem is a sonnet, which means that it has 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. Additionally, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables with a stress on every other syllable.

Donne also uses various other poetic devices such as metaphors, paradoxes, and personification to convey his message. These literary devices are crucial in emphasizing the conflicting emotions that the speaker feels.

Interpretation

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his frustration with God. He states that he longs to be vexed by God and that he wants to be punished for his sins. The use of the word "vex" implies that the speaker wants to experience emotional turmoil and agony. This is indicative of the speaker's belief that suffering is necessary for spiritual growth.

However, the speaker's desire to be punished is immediately followed by a contradictory statement. He explains that he is already in a state of distress and that he doesn't need any more punishment. This contradiction is emphasized by the use of the word "contraries" in the opening line of the poem.

The speaker then goes on to describe the conflicting emotions that he feels. He states that he is both "wretched" and "content" at the same time. This paradoxical statement highlights the complex nature of the speaker's relationship with God. He is unhappy with his current state but is also content in the knowledge that he is loved by God.

The use of the word "longing" in the second line of the poem is significant. It implies that the speaker has a deep desire for something that he cannot have. In this case, the speaker longs for God's love and approval despite his sins. This longing is indicative of the speaker's belief that he is unworthy of God's love.

The speaker then goes on to describe the physical pain that he feels. He states that he is "sick" and "tired," which emphasizes the speaker's emotional and physical distress. This physical pain is a metaphor for the spiritual pain that the speaker feels due to his sins.

The use of the word "wrung" in the fifth line of the poem is significant. It implies that the speaker is being squeezed or twisted. This metaphor emphasizes the speaker's emotional turmoil and suggests that he is being punished for his sins.

The speaker then goes on to describe the conflicting emotions that he feels towards God. He states that God is both his "enemy" and his "friend." This paradoxical statement emphasizes the speaker's belief that God is both punishing him for his sins and loving him at the same time.

The use of the word "counter" in the seventh line of the poem is significant. It implies that the speaker's emotions are in opposition to each other. This contrast emphasizes the complexity of the speaker's relationship with God.

The speaker then goes on to describe the spiritual pain that he feels. He states that he is both "saved" and "damned" at the same time. This paradoxical statement emphasizes the speaker's belief that he is both a sinner and a believer at the same time.

The use of the word "strange" in the tenth line of the poem is significant. It implies that the speaker's emotions are unfamiliar and difficult to understand. This emphasizes the complexity of the speaker's relationship with God and highlights the speaker's struggle to comprehend his own emotions.

The speaker then goes on to describe the spiritual transformation that he desires. He states that he wants to be "whole" and "pure" and that he wants his sins to be washed away. This desire for spiritual transformation is indicative of the speaker's belief in the power of redemption.

The use of the word "contract" in the thirteenth line of the poem is significant. It implies that the speaker is making a deal with God. This suggests that the speaker is willing to suffer in exchange for spiritual growth and redemption.

The poem ends with the speaker expressing his faith in God. He states that he believes that God will save him and that he will be reunited with God in heaven. This expression of faith is significant as it emphasizes the speaker's belief in the power of redemption and salvation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the speaker's relationship with God. The poem is full of paradoxical statements and conflicting emotions, which emphasizes the complexity of the speaker's beliefs. Through the use of various poetic devices, Donne conveys the emotional turmoil and the desire for spiritual growth that the speaker feels. Ultimately, the poem expresses the speaker's faith in God and his belief in the power of redemption and salvation.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One: A Masterpiece by John Donne

John Donne, the 16th-century English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, religion, and mortality. One of his most famous works is the Holy Sonnet XIX, also known as "Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One." This sonnet is a masterpiece of paradoxical imagery and religious symbolism that reflects Donne's deep spiritual beliefs and his struggle with the contradictions of life.

The sonnet begins with a powerful opening line that sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one." This line immediately captures the reader's attention and creates a sense of tension and conflict. The word "vex" suggests that the speaker is experiencing some kind of emotional turmoil or inner conflict, and the phrase "contraries meet in one" suggests that this conflict is caused by opposing forces that are somehow united.

The next few lines of the sonnet elaborate on this idea of opposing forces. The speaker describes how he is both "reason" and "passion," "love" and "fear," "hope" and "despair." These pairs of opposites represent the fundamental contradictions of human existence: the struggle between reason and emotion, love and fear, hope and despair. The fact that these opposites are "met in one" suggests that they are somehow united or reconciled, but the speaker's use of the word "vex" suggests that this unity is not necessarily a peaceful one.

The sonnet then moves on to a series of paradoxical images that further explore the theme of unity in contradiction. The speaker describes himself as a "tatter'd coat upon a stick," a "broken statue," and a "strange piece of iron." These images suggest a sense of fragmentation and disintegration, as if the speaker is falling apart or losing his sense of self. However, the fact that these images are all united in a single sentence suggests that there is also a sense of coherence or unity in this fragmentation.

The final lines of the sonnet bring together all of these paradoxical images and themes in a powerful conclusion. The speaker declares that he is "one who, when he hath done, hath done but half his work." This line suggests that the speaker's struggle with the contradictions of life is an ongoing process, and that he has not yet achieved a sense of resolution or peace. However, the fact that he is still struggling suggests that there is hope for him, and that he is still striving towards some kind of spiritual enlightenment or understanding.

Overall, Holy Sonnet XIX is a masterpiece of paradoxical imagery and religious symbolism that reflects John Donne's deep spiritual beliefs and his struggle with the contradictions of life. The sonnet explores the fundamental contradictions of human existence, such as the struggle between reason and emotion, love and fear, hope and despair. The paradoxical images and themes in the sonnet suggest a sense of fragmentation and disintegration, but also a sense of coherence and unity in this fragmentation. The final lines of the sonnet suggest that the speaker's struggle with these contradictions is ongoing, but that there is hope for him in his quest for spiritual enlightenment. Holy Sonnet XIX is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to John Donne's skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the human condition.

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