'Elegy VI' by John Donne


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Oh, let me not serve so, as those men serve
Whom honour's smokes at once fatten and starve;
Poorly enrich't with great men's words or looks;
Nor so write my name in thy loving books
As those idolatrous flatterers, which still
Their Prince's styles, with many realms fulfil
Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway.
Such services I offer as shall pay
Themselves, I hate dead names: Oh then let me
Favourite in Ordinary, or no favourite be.
When my soul was in her own body sheathed,
Nor yet by oaths betrothed, nor kisses breathed
Into my Purgatory, faithless thee,
Thy heart seemed wax, and steel thy constancy:
So, careless flowers strowed on the waters face
The curled whirlpools suck, smack, and embrace,
Yet drown them; so, the taper's beamy eye
Amorously twinkling beckons the giddy fly,
Yet burns his wings; and such the devil is,
Scarce visiting them who are entirely his.
When I behold a stream which, from the spring,
Doth with doubtful melodious murmuring,
Or in a speechless slumber, calmly ride
Her wedded channels' bosom, and then chide
And bend her brows, and swell if any bough
Do but stoop down, or kiss her upmost brow:
Yet, if her often gnawing kisses win
The traiterous bank to gape, and let her in,
She rusheth violently, and doth divorce
Her from her native, and her long-kept course,
And roars, and braves it, and in gallant scorn,
In flattering eddies promising retorn,
She flouts the channel, who thenceforth is dry;
Then say I, That is she, and this am I.
Yet let not thy deep bitterness beget
Careless despair in me, for that will whet
My mind to scorn; and Oh, love dulled with pain
Was ne'er so wise, nor well armed as disdain.
Then with new eyes I shall survey thee, and spy
Death in thy cheeks, and darkness in thine eye.
Though hope bred faith and love: thus taught, I shall,
As nations do from Rome, from thy love fall.
My hate shall outgrow thine, and utterly
I will renounce thy dalliance: and when I
Am the recusant, in that resolute state,
What hurts it me to be excommunicate?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Elegy VI by John Donne: A Deeper Look into Love and Loss

John Donne's Elegy VI is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love and loss. This poem has been widely studied and analyzed over the centuries, and for good reason. Its power lies in Donne's ability to express his emotions with raw honesty, and his skill in using language to convey complex ideas.

Background

Elegy VI is part of Donne's larger work, the Songs and Sonnets, which was published in 1633. The poem is written in the form of an elegy, which is a type of poem that is traditionally used to mourn the dead. However, in this case, Donne uses the form to lament the loss of his relationship with his lover.

Structure

The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This creates a steady, rhythmic flow to the poem that draws the reader in and adds to its emotional impact.

Analysis

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Donne expressing his grief in a powerful and direct way. He begins by saying, "Oh my black soul! now art thou summoned/ By sickness, death's herald and champion." The use of the word "black" to describe his soul is significant, as it suggests a sense of darkness and despair. Donne is acknowledging that he is in a state of mourning, and that he feels as though his soul has been consumed by darkness.

In the second stanza, Donne describes how his lover's death has affected him. He says, "Thou art slave to Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men." This line suggests that his lover's death was not in her control, but was instead the result of external forces. Donne is grappling with the idea that he could not have prevented her death, and that it was simply a matter of fate.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as Donne expresses his love for his deceased lover. He says, "Yet dearly I love thee, and would be loved fain,/ But am betrothed unto your enemy." Here, Donne is acknowledging that his love for his lover endures even after her death. He is also suggesting that death is the enemy of love, as it has separated him from the person he loves.

The fourth stanza sees Donne reflecting on the nature of love and death. He says, "Must I lose thy light? Must I leave thee alone?" This line suggests that Donne views his lover as a source of light in his life, and that her death has plunged him into darkness. He is grappling with the idea that death has taken away the person he loves, and that he must now face the world alone.

The fifth stanza sees Donne questioning the very nature of existence. He says, "Oh, if thou die, how many lamps will be/ Extinct in the dark of thy obscurity!" Here, Donne is suggesting that his lover's death will have a profound impact on the world. He is questioning the purpose of life, and whether it is worth living in a world without the person he loves.

Finally, in the sixth stanza, Donne acknowledges that he must move on from his grief. He says, "And soonest our best men with thee do go,/ Rest of their bones, and souls' delivery." Here, Donne is suggesting that death is inevitable, and that even the best of us must face it. He is also acknowledging that his lover's death has given her a release from the pain and suffering of life.

Interpretation

At its core, Elegy VI is a poem about love and loss. Donne is grappling with the idea that death has taken away the person he loves, and that he must now face the world alone. He is questioning the purpose of life, and whether it is worth living in a world without the person he loves. However, he also acknowledges that he must move on from his grief, and that death is an inevitable part of life.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Donne's use of language. He uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey his emotions. For example, he describes his soul as "black" and his lover's death as the work of "Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men." These images create a sense of profound loss and despair, and draw the reader into Donne's emotional world.

Another key aspect of the poem is its structure. The steady, rhythmic flow of the poem creates a sense of inevitability, as though Donne is resigned to the fact that he must face his grief and move on. This enhances the emotional impact of the poem, and underscores the themes of love and loss that run through it.

Conclusion

Elegy VI is a masterpiece of English poetry that explores the themes of love and loss with honesty and power. Donne's use of language and structure create a sense of profound emotion that draws the reader in and leaves a lasting impression. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of existence, and the inevitability of death. It is a testament to Donne's skill as a poet, and a tribute to the enduring power of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elegy VI by John Donne: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry

John Donne, the famous English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, death, and spirituality. His poem, Elegy VI, is a prime example of his poetic genius and his ability to weave together intricate metaphors and imagery to create a powerful and moving work of art.

Elegy VI is a poem that explores the theme of love and the pain of separation. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one, and it does so in a way that is both beautiful and profound.

The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of his beloved. He describes her as a "fair soul" who has been taken from him too soon. He speaks of the pain of separation and the emptiness that he feels without her. He longs to be reunited with her, but he knows that this is impossible.

The speaker then goes on to use a series of metaphors to describe his love for his beloved. He compares his love to a "diamond" that is "hard and bright" and that can never be broken. He also compares his love to a "flame" that burns brightly and that can never be extinguished.

These metaphors are powerful because they convey the depth and intensity of the speaker's love for his beloved. They also serve to elevate the poem beyond a simple expression of grief and into the realm of the metaphysical.

The speaker then goes on to explore the nature of love itself. He describes love as a force that is both powerful and mysterious. He speaks of the way that love can transform us and make us better people. He also speaks of the way that love can be painful and difficult, but that it is ultimately worth it.

This exploration of the nature of love is one of the key themes of the poem. It is a theme that is central to much of Donne's poetry, and it is one that continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to address his beloved directly. He speaks of the way that she has changed him and made him a better person. He speaks of the way that she has inspired him and given him hope.

This section of the poem is particularly moving because it speaks to the power of love to transform us and to make us better people. It is a reminder that even in the midst of our pain and grief, love can still inspire us and give us hope.

The poem then ends with the speaker acknowledging the inevitability of death. He speaks of the way that death is a natural part of life and that we must all eventually face it. He also speaks of the way that death can be a release from the pain and suffering of life.

This final section of the poem is a reminder that even in the face of death, love can still be a powerful force. It is a reminder that even though we may lose our loved ones, their memory and their love can still live on within us.

In conclusion, Elegy VI is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry. It explores complex themes of love, death, and spirituality in a way that is both beautiful and profound. The use of metaphors and imagery is particularly powerful, and it serves to elevate the poem beyond a simple expression of grief and into the realm of the metaphysical. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one, and it does so in a way that is both moving and inspiring.

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