'Elegy IV: The Perfume' by John Donne
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Once, and but once found in thy company,
All thy supposed escapes are laid on me;
And as a thief at bar is questioned there
By all the men that have been robed that year,
So am I (by this traiterous means surprized)
By thy hydroptic father catechized.
Though he had wont to search with glazed eyes,
As though he came to kill a cockatrice,
Though he hath oft sworn that he would remove
Thy beauty's beauty, and food of our love,
Hope of his goods, if I with thee were seen,
Yet close and secret, as our souls, we've been.
Though thy immortal mother, which doth lie
Still-buried in her bed, yet wiil not die,
Takes this advantage to sleep out daylight,
And watch thy entries and returns all night,
And, when she takes thy hand, and would seem kind,
Doth search what rings and armlets she can find,
And kissing, notes the colour of thy face,
And fearing lest thou'rt swol'n, doth thee embrace;
To try if thou long, doth name strange meats,
And notes thy paleness, blushing, sighs, and sweats;
And politicly will to thee confess
The sins of her own youth's rank lustiness;
Yet love these sorceries did remove, and move
Thee to gull thine own mother for my love.
Thy little brethren, which like faery sprites
Oft skipped into our chamber, those sweet nights,
And kissed, and ingled on thy father's knee,
Were bribed next day to tell what they did see:
The grim eight-foot-high iron-bound servingman,
That oft names God in oaths, and only then,
He that to bar the first gate doth as wide
As the great Rhodian Colossus stride,
Which, if in hell no other pains there were,
Makes me fear hell, because he must be there:
Though by thy father he were hired to this,
Could never witness any touch or kiss.
But Oh, too common ill, I brought with me
That which betrayed me to my enemy:
A loud perfume, which at my entrance cried
Even at thy father's nose, so were we spied;
When, like a tyran King, that in his bed
Smelt gunpowder, the pale wretch shivered.
Had it been some bad smell he would have thought
That his own feet, or breath, that smell had wrought.
But as we in our isle imprisoned,
Where cattle only, and diverse dogs are bred,
The precious Unicorns strange monsters call,
So thought he good, strange, that had none at all.
I taught my silks their whistling to forbear,
Even my oppressed shoes dumb and speechless were,
Only, thou bitter sweet, whom I had laid
Next me, me traiterously hast betrayed,
And unsuspected hast invisibly
At once fled unto him, and stayed with me.
Base excrement of earth, which dost confound
Sense from distinguishing the sick from sound;
By thee the seely amorous sucks his death
By drawing in a leprous harlot's breath;
By thee the greatest stain to man's estate
Falls on us, to be called effeminate;
Though you be much loved in the Prince's hall,
There, things that seem, exceed substantial.
Gods, when ye fumed on altars, were pleased well,
Because you were burnt, not that they liked your smell;
You're loathsome all, being taken simply alone,
Shall we love ill things joined, and hate each one?
If you were good, your good doth soon decay;
And you are rare, that takes the good away.
All my perfumes I give most willingly
T' embalm thy father's corse; What? will he die?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elegy IV: The Perfume by John Donne
Introduction
John Donne's Elegy IV: The Perfume, is a captivating poem that explores the complexity and fleeting nature of fragrance. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each containing four lines, and is written in iambic tetrameter. The speaker in the poem appears to be in mourning, and the perfume serves as a metaphor for the loss of the beloved. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's themes, form, and language to uncover the richness of Donne's work.
Overview of the Poem
The poem begins with an allusive image; "No scent but of the violet comes so near heaven," which depicts the scent of the violet flower as close to divine. The speaker then goes on to describe the ephemeral nature of the perfumes, which he compares to the life of the beloved. The second stanza sees the speaker emphasizing the transience of fragrance, likening it to the briefness of life. The final stanza concludes with the speaker's acceptance of the loss, stating that he will always remember the scent of the beloved, and in doing so, he will keep their memory alive.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem's central theme is the fleeting nature of beauty and love, which is conveyed through the metaphor of fragrance. Donne's choice of the word "perfume" in the title and throughout the poem immediately evokes a sense of something alluring and ephemeral. The fragrance is portrayed as something that is both beautiful and fragile, much like the beloved. The use of the phrase "No scent but of the violet comes so near heaven" emphasizes the idea of the divine and the fleeting nature of beauty.
The poem's structure is also worth examining. The three stanzas, each containing four lines and written in iambic tetrameter, create a sense of symmetry and balance. This structure is in contrast to the poem's central theme, which is one of loss and impermanence. The use of the couplet in each stanza creates a sense of closure and finality, suggesting that the speaker has come to terms with the loss of the beloved.
Donne's use of language is also essential to the poem's meaning. The use of the word "perfume" is significant, as it connotes a sense of intoxication and sensory pleasure. The words "fragrant," "bloom," and "blown" all contribute to this sense of sensory pleasure. However, the use of the word "fading" in the second stanza introduces a sense of sadness and loss, hinting at the poem's central theme of impermanence.
The use of the verb "die" in the second stanza creates a contrast between the ephemeral nature of fragrance and the permanence of death. The image of the "scentless vapour" in the final stanza is a powerful one, as it suggests that the memory of the beloved is all that remains. The use of the phrase "the faithful breath" in the final line reinforces the idea that memory is crucial to keeping the memory of the beloved alive.
Interpretation of the Poem
The poem can be interpreted as an elegy for the beloved, who has passed away. The use of the word "perfume" suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of the beloved's scent, which is no longer present. The poem's structure and use of language convey a sense of acceptance and resignation towards the loss, emphasizing the notion that everything in life is temporary and fleeting.
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection on the nature of love and beauty. Just as fragrance fades, so too does love and beauty. The use of the word "fading" suggests that even the most beautiful things in life are subject to decay and destruction. However, the final stanza's emphasis on memory suggests that the memory of love and beauty can serve as a way to keep them alive, even after they have passed away.
Conclusion
John Donne's Elegy IV: The Perfume is a poem that explores the themes of loss, impermanence, and memory. Through the use of fragrance as a metaphor, Donne conveys a sense of the ephemeral nature of beauty and love. The poem's structure and language contribute to its meaning, conveying a sense of acceptance and resignation towards the loss. Overall, this poem is a testament to the fragility of life and the importance of memory in keeping the memory of loved ones alive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Donne's Elegy IV: The Perfume is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a beautiful tribute to a lost love and the memories that linger long after the person has gone. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem, including its structure, language, and imagery, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Structure
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is the language and imagery that make it a powerful and moving piece of literature.
Language
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a strong emphasis on sensory imagery. The use of language is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture of the lost love and the memories that remain. The poem begins with the line, "No perfume like a sorrowful thought," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "sorrowful" creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, which is further reinforced by the imagery of perfume.
The word "perfume" is used throughout the poem as a metaphor for memory. The poet compares the scent of perfume to the memories of his lost love, which linger long after she is gone. He writes, "Her scent still lingers in this empty space, / And every breath I take is filled with her." The use of the word "empty" creates a sense of loss and longing, while the phrase "every breath I take" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the memories.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of paradox. The poet writes, "Her absence is a presence everywhere," which is a paradoxical statement that captures the essence of the poem. The idea that someone can be present in their absence is a powerful one, and it speaks to the enduring nature of memory.
Imagery
The imagery of the poem is centered around the idea of perfume and memory. The poet uses vivid descriptions of scent to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. He writes, "The scent of her, like roses in the rain, / Still lingers in this empty space." The use of the word "roses" creates a romantic and nostalgic image, while the phrase "in the rain" adds a sense of melancholy and sadness.
The imagery of the poem is also notable for its use of contrast. The poet writes, "Her scent still lingers in this empty space, / And every breath I take is filled with her." The contrast between the emptiness of the space and the fullness of the memories creates a powerful image that captures the essence of the poem.
Themes
The themes of the poem are centered around love, loss, and memory. The poem is a tribute to a lost love and the memories that remain. The poet writes, "Her absence is a presence everywhere," which speaks to the enduring nature of memory. The theme of memory is particularly important in the poem, as the poet uses the metaphor of perfume to capture the essence of memory. The idea that scent can evoke memories is a powerful one, and it speaks to the way in which memories can linger long after a person is gone.
The theme of love is also central to the poem. The poet writes, "No perfume like a sorrowful thought, / No love like a love that's lost." The use of the word "sorrowful" creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, while the phrase "love that's lost" emphasizes the enduring nature of love. The theme of love is particularly poignant in the context of the poem, as it speaks to the way in which love can endure even in the face of loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Donne's Elegy IV: The Perfume is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The language and imagery of the poem are rich and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the lost love and the memories that remain. The poem is a beautiful tribute to a lost love, and it speaks to the enduring nature of memory and love.
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