'Holy Sonnet XVI: Father, Part Of His Double Interest' by John Donne


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Father, part of his double interest
Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me,
His jointure in the knotty Trinity
He keeps, and gives to me his death's conquest.
This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest,
Was from the world's beginning slain, and he
Hath made two Wills which with the Legacy
Of his and thy kingdom do thy Sons invest.
Yet such are thy laws that men argue yet
Whether a man those statutes can fulfil;
None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit
Revive again what law and letter kill.
Thy law's abridgement, and thy last command
Is all but love; Oh let this last Will stand!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Holy Sonnet XVI: Father, Part Of His Double Interest

by John Donne

“Father, part of His double interest Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me, His jointure in the knotty Trinity He keeps, and gives to me his death’s conquest. This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest, Was from the world’s beginning slain, and he Hath made two wills which with the legacy Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest. Yet such are thy laws that men argue yet Whether a man those statutes can fulfil; None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit Revive again what law and letter kill. Thy law’s abridgement, and thy last command Is all but love; Oh let this last will stand!”

John Donne’s Holy Sonnet XVI is a beautifully crafted piece of poetry that expertly delves into the complexities of the Christian faith. It is a sonnet that is both reverent and thought-provoking, and one that leaves readers pondering over the meanings and implications of its words.

The poem begins with a direct address to God the Father, who is described as part of his double interest. This opening line is an acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity, and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. It speaks to the complex nature of the Christian faith, and the role that each member of the Trinity plays in it.

The second line of the sonnet, “Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me”, is an allusion to the notion of salvation. In Christianity, salvation is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, who grants believers access to the Kingdom of God. This line speaks to the idea that access to this kingdom is not given solely by God the Father, but is also granted by God the Son. It is an acknowledgement of their joint role in the salvation of humanity.

The third line, “His jointure in the knotty Trinity”, is a reference to the Holy Trinity itself. The word “knotty” suggests the complexity of the Trinity, and the idea that its three members are intricately woven together. The use of the word “jointure” further emphasizes the close relationship between God the Son and the Trinity.

The fourth line, “He keeps, and gives to me his death’s conquest”, is a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is believed in Christianity that Jesus’ death on the cross was a conquest over death itself, and that it opened up the possibility of eternal life for believers. This line speaks to the idea that through his death, Jesus was able to conquer death and offer salvation to all who believe in him.

The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet, “This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest, / Was from the world’s beginning slain, and he”, continue to speak to the idea of Jesus’ crucifixion. The use of the word “Lamb” is a reference to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God, and the idea that his death was necessary for the salvation of humanity. The line “Was from the world’s beginning slain” is significant, as it suggests that Jesus’ death was planned from the beginning of time. This speaks to the idea that God had a plan for humanity’s salvation all along, and that Jesus’ death was part of that plan.

The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet, “Hath made two wills which with the legacy / Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest”, further explore the idea of salvation. The reference to “two wills” is an allusion to the New Testament, and the idea that Jesus left behind a will in the form of the Bible. The line “Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest” is a reminder that all believers are considered children of God, and that through their faith in Jesus, they are invested in the Kingdom of God.

The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet, “Yet such are thy laws that men argue yet / Whether a man those statutes can fulfil”, acknowledge the difficulty of living up to the expectations of the Christian faith. The idea that men still argue over whether one can fulfill the laws of God speaks to the idea that it is impossible to do so perfectly. It is a reminder that all humans are fallible, and that it is only through God’s grace and spirit that they are able to do good.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet, “None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit / Revive again what law and letter kill”, further emphasize the idea that it is only through God’s grace that believers are able to do good. The use of the word “revive” is significant, as it suggests that even when humans fall short of God’s expectations, they are able to be redeemed through his grace.

The final two lines of the sonnet, “Thy law’s abridgement, and thy last command / Is all but love; Oh let this last will stand!”, are a reminder that at the heart of the Christian faith is love. The idea that God’s law is all but love speaks to the idea that everything in the Christian faith ultimately comes down to love. It is a reminder that love is the most important thing we can give and receive, and that it is through our love for one another that we are able to fulfill God’s commands.

In conclusion, John Donne’s Holy Sonnet XVI is a beautifully crafted piece of poetry that explores the complexities of the Christian faith. It is a sonnet that is both reverent and thought-provoking, and one that leaves readers pondering over the meanings and implications of its words. Through its exploration of the Holy Trinity, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the role of grace and love in the Christian faith, Holy Sonnet XVI offers a unique perspective on the Christian faith and the importance of living a life of love and grace.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Holy Sonnet XVI: Father, Part Of His Double Interest by John Donne is a classic poem that explores the relationship between God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of God's love and the role that Christ plays in the divine plan. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as its historical and religious context.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing God the Father as "Father, part of his double interest." This phrase is a reference to the doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that God is one being in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The phrase "double interest" suggests that the Father has a special relationship with both the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that this relationship is essential to the nature of God.

The speaker goes on to describe the Son as "Father's son," emphasizing the close relationship between the two. He then asks the Father to "behold" the Son, suggesting that the Father is not fully aware of the Son's suffering and sacrifice. The speaker implores the Father to "look upon" the Son, to see the wounds and scars that he has endured for the sake of humanity.

The imagery of the Son's wounds is central to the poem. The speaker describes the Son's wounds as "dear" and "precious," suggesting that they are a sign of his love and sacrifice. He also describes the Son's wounds as "new," suggesting that they are a continual source of pain and suffering. The speaker asks the Father to "hear" the Son's cries, suggesting that the Son is still suffering and in need of comfort.

The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as the speaker addresses the Son directly. He asks the Son to "take" his heart, suggesting that he is offering himself to the Son as a sacrifice. He also asks the Son to "break" his heart, suggesting that he is willing to endure pain and suffering for the sake of the Son's love.

The final lines of the poem are a powerful affirmation of faith. The speaker declares that he is "betrothed" to the Son, suggesting that he is committed to a lifelong relationship with Christ. He also declares that he is "divorce[d]" from sin, suggesting that he has been freed from the bondage of sin and death.

One of the key themes of the poem is the nature of God's love. The poem emphasizes the close relationship between the Father and the Son, and the sacrifice that the Son has made for the sake of humanity. The imagery of the Son's wounds is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love, and the speaker's willingness to offer himself as a sacrifice is a testament to the transformative power of that love.

Another important theme of the poem is the role of faith in the Christian life. The speaker's declaration that he is "betrothed" to the Son suggests that he is committed to a lifelong relationship with Christ, and his declaration that he is "divorce[d]" from sin suggests that he has been freed from the bondage of sin and death. This affirmation of faith is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel message.

The historical and religious context of the poem is also important to understanding its meaning. John Donne was a 17th-century English poet and cleric who lived during a time of great religious upheaval. The Protestant Reformation had challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and many people were searching for a deeper understanding of their faith.

Donne was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Church of England, which emphasized the importance of personal faith and the authority of scripture. His poetry reflects these beliefs, and Holy Sonnet XVI is a powerful meditation on the nature of God's love and the role of faith in the Christian life.

In conclusion, Holy Sonnet XVI: Father, Part Of His Double Interest by John Donne is a classic poem that explores the relationship between God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of God's love and the role that Christ plays in the divine plan. The imagery of the Son's wounds is central to the poem, and the speaker's affirmation of faith is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel message. Overall, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the depth of God's love for humanity.

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