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| Sunday, 22 May 2005 |
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English Literature Made Easy - Poets
John Donne We've covered the GCE O/L English literature syllabus, and commence the GCE A/L English literature syllabus beginning this week, with a look at the metaphysical poets.
They chose a wide variety of themes, made unimaginative use of the rhythms of the speaking voice preferring a rough line which achieved dramatic intensity to a smooth line which lacked it. It was an age of invention and much scope opened up for new innovations exemplifying the quality of a new invention. Donne had got the best out of the Revival of learning the Renaissance. Song: Sweetest Love I do not goe... John Donne is considered, the most popular among the metaphysical poets. His themes and ideas are weighty with deep meaning. In his poem Song he speaks of love pedestalled and set upon a philosophical basis. In the first verse, the poet elaborates the fact that a person is destined and wishing himself in jest to die. He is not leaving his lover, being tired of her or to find a better love. He feigns death as a trial or joke. The sun went down last night and came back the following morning involving so short a time sans desire or sense of leaving but merely with the intention of coming back. The poet is asking his lover not to be frightened of his death. He'll be returning quicker than the sun as the poet's return could be much faster than that of the sun. But I beleeve that I shall make Speedier journeyes, since I take More wings and spurrs than bee. If man's fortune falls one is unable to add one year to one's life or recall a lost hour. But if a period of misfortune comes to us it will prolong and ultimately reign us; indulge in over powering us. Donne refers to the weakness of man's power in times of misfortune. But come bad chance, And wee joyne to, it our strength And wee teach it art and length, Itselfe or us to advance. If you sigh and weep you sigh not the wind. When thou sigh'st though sigh'st not winde my life span would be shortened and it should not be when you say that you love me and if in yours you waste my life Thou art the best of me. Do not allow your divining heart harbour any ill-feeling towards me. Destiny may take its course and your fears would perish, though I die - I really do not die. I have but turned aside to sleep. I'm alive and never be parted. Are but turned aside to sleepe; They who one another keepe Alive, ne'r parted bee. Donne's use of simple diction, deep in meaning maintains the style of metaphysical poetry. Each verse consists of eight lines following the short and long sentence pattern rhyming (ababcddc). The fifth line is shorter than the rest of the lines emphasing the poet's reaction to seperation. The theme of the poem SONG is philosophical. True love remains for ever unshaken in spite of all misfortune. The poet has made use of Nature's course - the rising and setting of the sun - that remains unshaken, true and evident stressing the assurance of the poet's own response to the arguements for and against death. The first line of the first verse - But since that I Must die at last 'tis best, To use myself in jest... The second verse - Then feare not mee, But beleeve that I shall make Speedier journeyes, since I take More wings and spurs than hee." The third verse - But come bad chance The fourth verse - It cannot bee The fifth verse - But think that wee Are but turn'd aside to sleepe John Donne has highlighted his own philosophy of death, his views and conceptions. His elegant and simple language style, appropriate wording with significant pauses create the background, ideal and suitable for his philosophical ideas to crop up from. The smooth flow of ideas embedded in appropriate wording highlight the phylosophical nature usually found in Donne's poetry. The last two lines of the last verse keep the theme of the poem alive. They who one another keepe Alive, ne'er parted bee. Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala. |
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John
Donne (born 1573 died 1631) is one of the greatest and most popular
metaphiscal poets. The affernities between the metaphysicals and modern
poets are quite interesting. Metaphysical poets had reactions to
traditions they inherited. 
