'Elegy III: Change' by John Donne
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Although thy hand and faith, and good works too,
Have sealed thy love which nothing should undo,
Yea though thou fall back, that apostasy
Confirm thy love; yet much, much I fear thee.
Women are like the Arts, forced unto to none,
Open to all searchers, unprized if unknown.
If I have caught a bird, and let him fly,
Another fowler using these means, as I,
May catch the same bird; and, as these things be,
Women are made for men, not him, nor me.
Foxes and goats, all beasts, change when they please,
Shall women, more hot, wily, wild than these,
Be bound to one man, and did Nature then
Idly make tham apter t' endure than men?
They're our clogs, not their own; if a man be
Chained to a galley, yet the galley's free;
Who hath a plough-land casts all his seedcorn there,
And yet allows his ground more corn should bear;
Though Danuby into the sea must flow,
The sea receives the Rhine, Volga, and Po.
By Nature, which gave it, this liberty
Thou lov'st, but Oh! canst thou love it and me?
Likeness glues love: and if that thou so do,
To make us like and love, must I change too?
More than thy hate, I hate't; rather let me
Allow her change than change as oft as she,
And so not teach, but force my opinion
To love not any one, nor every one.
To live in one land is captivity,
To run all countries, a wild roguery;
Waters stink soon if in one place they bide,
And in the vast sea are more purified:
But when they kiss one bank, and leaving this
Never look back, but the next bank do kiss,
Then are they purest. Change is the nursery
Of music, joy, life, and eternity.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elegy III: Change by John Donne - A Masterpiece Among Elegies
John Donne's Elegy III: Change is a masterpiece among elegies. The poem, written in the 17th century, explores the theme of change and its impact on human emotions. At the heart of this elegy is the idea that change is inevitable and that it can be both beautiful and destructive. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Elegy III to understand the depth of Donne's work.
Themes in Elegy III
At the outset, the theme of change is introduced in the opening line of the poem, where Donne says, "Although thy hand and faith, and good works too, have sealed thy love, which nothing should undo." Here, the poet emphasizes the idea that change is an inevitable part of life that can affect even the strongest bonds of love and devotion. The idea of change is explored further in the second stanza, where Donne uses the metaphor of the seasons to illustrate the cyclical nature of life. He says, "And new philosophy calls all in doubt, the element of fire is quite put out; the sun is lost, and the earth, and no man's wit can well direct him where to look for it."
This imagery of the seasons changing and the world being in flux sets the tone for the rest of the elegy. The theme of change is explored throughout the poem, as Donne reflects on the impermanence of human life and the inevitability of death.
Another key theme in Elegy III is the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Donne suggests that everything in the world is interconnected and that a change in one thing can have a ripple effect on everything else. He says, "Tis all in pieces, all coherence gone; all just supply, and all relation; Prince, subject, father, son, are things forgot, for every man alone thinks he hath got." This idea of interconnectedness is important because it underscores the idea that change is not just an individual experience but one that affects everyone and everything around us.
Imagery in Elegy III
The imagery in Elegy III is rich and complex. Donne uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to convey the themes and emotions of the elegy. One of the most powerful images in the poem is that of the "dying year." Donne describes the year as "fainting" and "growing old," and he uses this metaphor to illustrate the idea of change and the natural cycle of life.
Donne also uses the metaphor of the "sun" to convey the idea of change. He says, "The sun is lost, and the earth, and no man's wit can well direct him where to look for it." Here, the sun represents the stability and order of the world, and its loss symbolizes the chaos and confusion that can result from change.
Another powerful image in the elegy is that of the "vain bubble." Donne describes human life as a "vain bubble," which is fragile and fleeting. This image underscores the idea that change is inevitable and that we must accept the impermanence of life.
Language in Elegy III
Donne's use of language in Elegy III is both beautiful and complex. His use of metaphors and symbols helps to convey the themes and emotions of the elegy, while his use of language is both lyrical and poetic.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Donne's use of paradox. He says, "All things are busy; only I / Neither bring honey with the bees, / Nor flowers to make that, nor the husbandry / To water these." Here, Donne is expressing the paradoxical nature of change - that while everything around us is in flux, we ourselves can feel stuck or stagnant.
Another interesting aspect of Donne's language is his use of repetition. He repeats the word "change" throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance and inevitability. He also repeats the phrase "nothing can be" several times, which underscores the idea that change can sometimes feel overwhelming and irreversible.
Donne's language is also highly emotive. He uses words like "faint," "woeful," and "anguish" to convey the emotions associated with change. His language is both powerful and poignant, and it helps to make the poem an unforgettable elegy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Donne's Elegy III: Change is a masterpiece of English poetry. The elegy explores the theme of change and its impact on human emotions, using rich imagery and lyrical language to convey its message. The themes of interconnectedness and impermanence are explored in depth, and Donne's use of paradox and repetition helps to underscore the importance of change in our lives. Overall, Elegy III is a powerful and poignant elegy that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both timeless and unforgettable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Donne's Elegy III: Change is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the theme of change and its impact on human life. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of change and the way it affects our lives, our relationships, and our sense of self. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand its significance and relevance to our lives today.
Structure
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of five lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABB, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, but it is the language and imagery that make it a work of art. The poem's simplicity is deceptive, as it belies the complexity of the ideas it expresses.
Language
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a mix of metaphors, similes, and personification. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker addressing change as a personified entity:
"Although thy hand and faith, and good works too, Have sealed thy love which nothing should undo, Yea, though thou fall back, that apostasy Confirm thy love; yet much, much I fear, Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel."
The speaker acknowledges that change is an inevitable part of life, and that even though we may try to resist it, it will ultimately prevail. The use of the second person pronoun "thy" creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and change, as if they are addressing a close friend or lover.
Themes
The poem's central theme is change and its impact on human life. The speaker acknowledges that change is both necessary and inevitable, but also recognizes the pain and loss that it can bring. The poem explores the idea that change is not always a positive force, and that it can sometimes lead to destruction and despair.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, with the speaker acknowledging that death is the ultimate change that we all must face. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the impermanence of all things, and suggests that we should embrace change rather than resist it.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of love and its relationship to change. The speaker suggests that love can be a stabilizing force in the face of change, but also acknowledges that it can be fragile and easily lost. The poem explores the idea that love is not immune to the effects of change, and that it too must adapt and evolve over time.
Conclusion
John Donne's Elegy III: Change is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of change and its impact on human life. The poem's language and imagery are rich and evocative, and the themes it explores are timeless and universal. The poem reminds us that change is an inevitable part of life, and that we must learn to embrace it rather than resist it. It also suggests that love can be a stabilizing force in the face of change, but that it too must adapt and evolve over time. Overall, Elegy III: Change is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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