'Elegy VIII: The Comparison' by John Donne
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As the sweet sweat of roses in a still,
As that which from chafed musk-cats' pores doth trill,
As the almighty balm of th' early East,
Such are the sweat drops of my mistress' breast,
And on her brow her skin such lustre sets,
They seem no sweat drops, but pearl coronets.
Rank sweaty froth thy Mistress's brow defiles,
Like spermatic issue of ripe menstruous boils,
Or like the scum, which, by need's lawless law
Enforced, Sanserra's starved men did draw
From parboiled shoes and boots, and all the rest
Which were with any sovereigne fatness blest,
And like vile lying stones in saffroned tin,
Or warts, or weals, they hang upon her skin.
Round as the world's her head, on every side,
Like to the fatal ball which fell on Ide,
Or that whereof God had such jealousy,
As, for the ravishing thereof we die.
Thy head is like a rough-hewn statue of jet,
Where marks for eyes, nose, mouth, are yet scarce set;
Like the first Chaos, or flat-seeming face
Of Cynthia, when th' earth's shadows her embrace.
Like Proserpine's white beauty-keeping chest,
Or Jove's best fortunes urn, is her fair breast.
Thine's like worm-eaten trunks, clothed in seals' skin,
Or grave, that's dust without, and stink within.
And like that slender stalk, at whose end stands
The woodbine quivering, are her arms and hands.
Like rough barked elm-boughs, or the russet skin
Of men late scourged for madness, or for sin,
Like sun-parched quarters on the city gate,
Such is thy tanned skin's lamentable state.
And like a bunch of ragged carrots stand
The short swol'n fingers of thy gouty hand.
Then like the Chimic's masculine equal fire,
Which in the Lymbecks warm womb doth inspire
Into th' earth's worthless dirt a soul of gold,
Such cherishing heat her best loved part doth hold.
Thine's like the dread mouth of a fired gun,
Or like hot liquid metals newly run
Into clay moulds, or like to that Etna
Where round about the grass is burnt away.
Are not your kisses then as filthy, and more,
As a worm sucking an envenomed sore?
Doth not thy feareful hand in feeling quake,
As one which gath'ring flowers still fears a snake?
Is not your last act harsh, and violent,
As when a plough a stony ground doth rent?
So kiss good turtles, so devoutly nice
Are priests in handling reverent sacrifice,
And such in searching wounds the surgeon is
As we, when we embrace, or touch, or kiss.
Leave her, and I will leave comparing thus,
She, and comparisons are odious.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Intense Power of Comparisons in John Donne's Elegy VIII
When it comes to the art of comparison, few poets can rival John Donne's prowess. In his Elegy VIII, aptly titled "The Comparison," Donne unleashes his full arsenal of metaphorical and simile-driven comparisons to explore the depths of his grief and the nature of love. With every line, every word, he builds a powerful emotional landscape that resonates with readers even today, centuries after its creation.
But what makes Donne's comparisons so effective? What sets them apart from the countless others that flood the world of poetry? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the nuances of "The Comparison" and uncover the secrets behind its intense power.
The Structure of Grief
First, let us examine the structure of the elegy itself. As with many of Donne's poems, "The Comparison" follows a strict pattern of stanzas and rhymes that create a sense of order and symmetry. Each stanza is composed of three quatrains (four-lined stanzas) and a final rhyming couplet. The rhyme scheme, as in many of Donne's works, is complex and varied, with the end words often echoing and repeating throughout the poem.
This structured form, however, belies the raw emotions that lie beneath. "The Comparison" is an elegy, a poem that mourns the death of a loved one, and its central theme is grief. Donne's exploration of this theme is intricate and layered, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of progression and evolution.
In the first stanza, Donne sets the scene by comparing his grief to a "bowl full of tears" that "will run over." This comparison immediately establishes the intensity of his emotions and creates a vivid image that readers can easily imagine. But the comparison also goes deeper, as the idea of a bowl overflowing with tears echoes the sense of overwhelming sorrow that can flood a person's heart after a loss.
The second stanza expands on this idea by comparing his grief to a stormy sea that tosses and turns with "every wind that blows." Here, Donne introduces the idea of movement and restlessness, as his grief refuses to stay still and instead rages on with each passing moment. But he also hints at the idea of inevitability, as the sea will always be there, just as his grief will always be a part of him.
The third stanza takes a slightly different tack, as Donne compares his grief to a disease that "creeps, runs, and flies" throughout his body. Here, he introduces the idea of physicality, as his sadness becomes a tangible, almost parasitic force that feeds off his body and mind. But he also hints at the idea of transformation, as the disease can take on different forms and shapes, just as his grief can manifest in different ways.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Donne brings all these threads together by comparing his grief to a "captive bird" that struggles to escape its cage. This comparison ties together the ideas of intensity, movement, physicality, and transformation, as his grief becomes a living, breathing thing that must struggle to survive. But it also introduces the idea of hope, as the bird may one day find a way to break free and soar once more.
The Power of Comparison
So why do these comparisons work so well? What makes them so effective at conveying Donne's emotions and ideas? The answer lies in the power of comparison itself.
At its core, comparison is a way to connect two seemingly disparate things and reveal their hidden similarities. It is a way to take something abstract, like an emotion or an idea, and make it concrete and understandable. By comparing his grief to a bowl of tears, for example, Donne takes an intangible emotion and turns it into a physical object that readers can visualize and empathize with.
But comparisons also go beyond mere description. They can also reveal deeper insights and meanings. When Donne compares his grief to a stormy sea, for example, he not only creates a powerful image but also hints at the idea of inevitability and the cyclical nature of life. The sea will always be there, just as his grief will always be a part of him, but the storm will eventually pass and the waters will calm.
Moreover, comparisons can create complex webs of meaning and association that resonate with readers on multiple levels. When Donne compares his grief to a disease, for example, he not only introduces the idea of physicality but also hints at the idea of contagion and the way grief can spread to others. He also creates a link between his emotions and the way a disease can change and mutate over time.
The Power of Metaphor and Simile
Of course, comparisons come in many forms, and Donne's use of metaphor and simile is particularly noteworthy. Metaphors, which directly equate two things, can be powerful tools for creating connections and associations. When Donne compares his grief to a captive bird, for example, he not only creates a striking image but also hints at the idea of freedom and the way his emotions may one day be released.
Similes, on the other hand, use "like" or "as" to create comparisons. They can be more direct and explicit than metaphors, but they can also create a sense of distance and separation. When Donne compares his grief to a bowl of tears, for example, he creates a vivid image but also emphasizes the idea of containment and the way his emotions are trapped and unable to escape.
In "The Comparison," Donne uses both metaphors and similes to great effect, creating a rich tapestry of images and associations that build on each other to create a powerful emotional landscape. Whether he is comparing his grief to a stormy sea or a disease that creeps through his body, he is able to capture the intensity, complexity, and universality of his emotions.
The Power of Love
But "The Comparison" is not just a poem about grief; it is also a poem about love. Throughout the elegy, Donne uses his comparisons to explore the nature of love and the way it can both inspire and devastate. When he compares his love to a "treasure" that is now lost, for example, he not only creates a sense of loss but also hints at the idea of value and the way love can enrich our lives.
Moreover, Donne uses his comparisons to explore the way love can transform and change us. When he compares his love to a disease that infects his body, for example, he creates a sense of physicality but also hints at the idea of transformation and the way love can take root and grow within us.
Ultimately, "The Comparison" is a poem that celebrates the power of love and its ability to inspire us even in the face of loss and grief. Through his comparisons and metaphors, Donne is able to capture the depth and complexity of these emotions, creating a work that resonates with readers even today. As we read his elegy, we are reminded of the power of comparison to reveal hidden truths and create connections that transcend time and distance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Donne's Elegy VIII: The Comparison is a classic poem that explores the theme of love and its complexities. The poem is a beautiful and intricate piece of literature that showcases Donne's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his writing.
The poem begins with a comparison between two lovers, one who is faithful and true, and the other who is fickle and unfaithful. Donne uses vivid imagery to describe the two lovers, painting a picture of the faithful lover as a beautiful and pure flower, while the unfaithful lover is described as a weed that grows wild and unchecked.
The contrast between the two lovers is stark, with the faithful lover being described as "a pure, white lily" and the unfaithful lover as "a rank, gross, and vulgar weed." This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
Donne goes on to explore the complexities of love, and how it can be both beautiful and painful at the same time. He describes the pain of unrequited love, and how it can feel like a "thousand deaths" to the person who is experiencing it.
The poem also touches on the idea of love as a transformative force, with Donne describing how love can change a person's entire being. He writes, "Love so alike to thee doth shine, / That I dare say, thou art divine; / Mend my estate in any way, / Thou wilt, and thou canst, make me gay."
This idea of love as a transformative force is a common theme in Donne's poetry, and it is one that he explores in depth in this particular poem. He describes how love can make a person feel whole and complete, and how it can give them a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality, with Donne describing how love can transcend death and continue on even after a person has passed away. He writes, "Love's not extinct, though thou hast left me; / Nay, it survives in my poor heart, / And will live there forever."
This idea of love transcending death is a powerful one, and it speaks to the enduring nature of love and its ability to endure even in the face of great adversity.
Overall, John Donne's Elegy VIII: The Comparison is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of love and its many complexities. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Donne is able to convey the depth of emotion that comes with love, and he does so in a way that is both moving and thought-provoking. This poem is a true masterpiece of literature, and it is one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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