Assignment 101 Life of John Donne
Assignment 101 Life John Donne
Hello learners. This blog is part of assignment,paper 101- Literature of Elizabeth and Neo Classical Period .
Table of content :
Personal Information
Introduction
Life of John Donne
Education
John Donne as Metaphysical poet
Work cited
Personal Information :
Name : Kusum J. Saravaiya
Batch: sem-1 (2023-25)
Enrollment Number-
Roll no. -21
Email - kusumsarvaiya2304@gmail.com
Introduction :
" Death comes equally to us all,
And makes us all equal when it comes. " - John Donne.
John Donne was a preeminent figure of English literature, renowned for his distinct style as a metaphysical poet. His works, characterized by complex themes, intellectual depth, and vivid use of metaphors, explore the intersections of spirituality, love, and humanity. Donne's innovative approach to poetry, marked by unconventional imagery and wit, has solidified his legacy as one of the most influential poets in English literary history.
Donne's religious transformation significantly influenced his later poetry. After a period of worldly pursuits, he underwent a profound religious conversion, becoming ordained as an Anglican priest. This spiritual shift is reflected in his later works, exploring themes of divine love, salvation, and the complexities of faith.
His collection of poems, "Songs and Sonnets," is celebrated for its innovative use of metaphysical conceits—unexpected comparisons that connect seemingly unrelated ideas. Donne's intricate and intellectual approach to poetry challenged traditional poetic conventions, setting him apart as a leading figure in the metaphysical poetry movement.
John Donne :
The English writer and Anglican cleric John Donne is considered now to be the preeminent metaphysical poet of his time. He was born in 1572 to Roman Catholic parents, when practicing that religion was illegal in England. His work is distinguished by its emotional and sonic intensity and its capacity to plumb the paradoxes of faith, human and divine love, and the possibility of salvation. Donne often employs conceits, or extended metaphors, to yoke together “heterogenous ideas,” in the words of Samuel Johnson, thus generating the powerful ambiguity for which his work is famous.
After a resurgence in his popularity in the early 20th century, Donne’s standing as a great English poet, and one of the greatest writers of English prose.
Throughout the 18th century, and for much of the 19th century, he was little read and scarcely appreciated. It was not until the end of the 1800s that Donne’s poetry was eagerly taken up by a growing band of avant-garde readers and writers. His prose remained largely unnoticed until 1919.
Life of John Donne :
John Donne was born in 1572 in London, England. He is known as the founder of the Metaphysical poet , a term created by Samuel Johnson, an eighteenth-century English essayist, poet, and philosopher. The loosely associated group also includes George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell, and John Cleveland. The Metaphysical Poets are known for their ability to startle the reader and coax new perspective through paradoxical images, subtle argument, inventive syntax, and imagery from art, philosophy, and religion using an extended metaphor known as a conceit. Donne reached beyond the rational and hierarchical structures of the seventeenth century with his exacting and ingenious conceits, advancing the exploratory spirit of his time.
On Feb. 25, 1631, Donne, who was fatally ill with stomach cancer , left his sickbed to preach a final sermon at court; this was published posthumously as “Death’s Duell” and is sometimes considered to be his own funeral sermon. He returned to his sickbed and, according to Walton, had a drawing made of himself in his shroud , perhaps as an aid to meditating on his own dissolution. From this drawing Nucholas Stone constructed a marble effigy of Donne that survived the Great Fire of 1666 and still stands today in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Education :
At age 12 Donne matriculated at the university of Oxford , where he studied for three years, and he then most likely continued his education at the University of Cambridge , though he took no degree from either university because as a Roman Catholic he could not swear the required oath of allegiance to the Protestant queen, Elizabeth.
Following his studies Donne probably traveled in Spain and Italy.and then returned to London to read law, first at Thavies Inn (1591) and then at Lincoln’s Inn (1592–94).After his return to London in 1597, Donne became secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper of great seal, in whose employ Donne remained for almost five years.
John Donne as a Metaphysical poet :
John Donne stands out in the english literature not merely as the leader of the metaphysical school of poetic novelist in them and technique. In his secular and religious works he is found to strick his originality as a creative artist.
The novelty of Donne's metaphysical poetry is marked more specifically in his love poems which are immensely popular. Intellectual vigour and depth, restraint and impetuosity,are found well combined in him as a characteristic features of his dignified artistry.
The "Good Morrow" is one of Donne's love poem and typical one.his novelty as a metaphysical love poet is here exhibited distinctly as elsewhere. The poem remains quite engrossing and entertaining, as a specific instance of metaphysical love poetry, comining and adjusting intellect and of emotionin right proportions.
Donne's poetrys "The Good Morrow","The Flea","The Anniversary" and "sunne Rising" are best example of metaphysical poetry. The theme of each of these poem is the oneness of and devotion to love. Metaphysical poetry consists of conceits. In a conceits, two incongruous elements are compared with a profoundly intellectual penetration causing thereby a mental stir. This is evident in Donne's comparison of "two lovers" to "two hemispheres". "Without sharp north, without declining west". The concluding words of the specifically convey a conceit. Love is so unified that none of the lovers can 'slacken' and none can die.
"If our two loves be one, or thou and i love so alike that none do slacken, none can die ".
Work cited :
“John Donne.” Poets.Org, Academy of American Poets, 17 Oct. 2022, poets.org/poet/john-donne.
https://poets.org/poet/john-donne Accessed date 23 Nov, 2023.
“John Donne.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.,https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Donne
“John Donne as a Metaphysical Poet.” Literature Hub, www.literaturehub.in/2020/06/john-donne-as-metaphysical-poet.html?m=1.https://www.literaturehub.in/2020/06/john-donne-as-metaphysical-poet.html?m=1Accessed 23 Nov. 2023.
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