'The Token' by John Donne


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Send me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easeless thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passions I may hope the best.
I beg no riband wrought with thine own hands,
To knit our loves in the fantastic strain
Of new-touched youth; nor ring to show the stands
Of our affection, that as that's round and plain,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
No, nor the corals which thy wrist enfold,
Laced up together in congruity,
To show our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desired, because best like the best;
Nor witty lines, which are most copious,
Within the writings which thou hast addressed.

Send me nor this, nor that, to increase my store,
But swear thou think'st 'I love thee,' and no more.


Submitted by Melanie Wright

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Token: A Masterpiece of Love and Devotion

John Donne, a 16th century English poet, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores themes of love, religion, death, and spirituality. His poem, The Token, is a remarkable piece of literature that speaks to the depth of human emotions and the power of love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem, explore its themes, and unravel its meaning.

The Poem: An Overview

The Token is a sonnet that follows the traditional structure of 14 lines, with each line comprising ten syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with a volta or turn in the ninth line, where the poem shifts from describing the token to explaining its significance. The poem is addressed to a lover or a beloved, who is going away on a journey, and the speaker gives them a token, a physical object that represents their love and devotion. The token in question is a piece of gold that is split in two, with each half engraved with the name of the lover and the speaker, respectively. The speaker tells the lover to keep half of the token with them and give the other half to the speaker, so that they can be reminded of each other's love and fidelity.

Themes

The Token explores several themes that are central to Donne's poetry, such as love, separation, death, and spirituality.

Love

Love is the dominant theme of The Token. The poem celebrates the power of love to transcend time and distance and to forge a bond between two people that is unbreakable. The token symbolizes the lover's commitment to each other, as well as their trust and faith in their love. The speaker says, "When we are there, we two are one, / Like to twin compasses fixed and sure," suggesting that their love is like a compass that always points them in the direction of each other. Love, therefore, is not just an emotion, but a force that unites two souls and guides them through life.

Separation

The Token also deals with the theme of separation. The lover is going away on a journey, and the speaker is left behind. The token, therefore, serves as a reminder of their love and a way to stay connected even when they are apart. The speaker says, "So though I from your love depart, / It shall show me your heart," indicating that the token will keep them close even when they are physically apart. Separation, therefore, is not a barrier to love, but an opportunity to strengthen it.

Death

The Token also touches upon the theme of death. The speaker says, "When this, alas! O when shall be/No more, though it doth show us mutually," suggesting that the token will outlive them both and serve as a testament to their love even after they are gone. The poem, therefore, suggests that love transcends death and that the memory of love can endure beyond the grave. Death, therefore, is not an end, but a continuation of love in a different form.

Spirituality

Finally, The Token has a spiritual dimension to it. The speaker says, "So let us melt, and make no noise, / No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move," implying that their love is not just physical, but also spiritual. Love, therefore, is not just a human emotion, but a divine one that connects us to a higher power. The token, therefore, is not just a symbol of human love, but also a symbol of divine love that unites all of creation.

Interpretation

The Token is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in different ways. Here are some possible interpretations of the poem:

The Token as a Metaphor for Love

One way to interpret The Token is as a metaphor for love itself. The token, which is split in two, represents the two halves of a whole, the lover and the beloved, who are united in love. The engraving on the token represents their commitment to each other and their fidelity. The token, therefore, is not just a physical object, but a symbol of the power of love to unite two souls and make them one. The fact that the token is made of gold, a precious metal associated with wealth and luxury, also suggests that love is a treasure that is priceless and worth more than any material possession.

The Token as a Symbol of Devotion

Another way to interpret The Token is as a symbol of devotion. The speaker gives the token to the lover as a way of showing their love and commitment. The token, therefore, serves as a reminder of their devotion to each other and a way to stay connected even when they are apart. The fact that the token is split in two and that each half has the name of the lover and the speaker engraved on it also suggests that their love is reciprocal and equal. The token, therefore, is not just a gift, but a pledge of fidelity and loyalty.

The Token as a Reminder of Mortality

A third way to interpret The Token is as a reminder of mortality. The speaker says, "When this, alas! O when shall be/No more," suggesting that the token will outlast them both and serve as a reminder of their love even after they are gone. The fact that the token is made of gold, a metal that does not corrode or decay, also suggests that their love is timeless and eternal. The token, therefore, is not just a symbol of their love, but also a reminder of their mortality and the impermanence of life.

The Token as a Metaphor for the Soul

Finally, The Token can be interpreted as a metaphor for the soul. The fact that the token is split in two and that each half has the name of the lover and the speaker engraved on it suggests that their souls are connected and intertwined. The fact that the token is made of gold, a metal associated with purity and perfection, also suggests that their souls are pure and perfect. The token, therefore, is not just a symbol of their love, but also a symbol of their spiritual connection and their shared destiny.

Conclusion

The Token is a masterpiece of love and devotion that explores the depth of human emotions and the power of love. Through the use of metaphors, symbolism, and imagery, John Donne creates a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul. The poem celebrates the power of love to unite two souls and to transcend time, distance, and death. The token, therefore, is not just a physical object, but a symbol of the divine love that connects us all. The Token, therefore, is not just a poem, but a work of art that inspires and uplifts.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Token: A Masterpiece of John Donne

John Donne, one of the most influential poets of the 17th century, is known for his metaphysical poetry that explores complex themes of love, death, and spirituality. Among his many works, "The Token" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic style and philosophical outlook. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of "The Token" and explore the various literary devices and techniques used by Donne to convey his message.

The poem begins with a simple premise: a lover gives his beloved a token of his affection, a piece of jewelry that symbolizes their love. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the token is much more than a mere trinket. It is a powerful symbol of the lover's commitment and devotion, a tangible reminder of their love that will endure even after they are separated by death.

The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the context of the poem. The speaker addresses his beloved, telling her that he has given her a token of his love. He describes the token as a "little heart" made of gold, which he has engraved with their initials. The use of the word "little" emphasizes the delicate and precious nature of the token, while the choice of gold as the material highlights its value and rarity. The initials suggest that the lovers are already connected in some way, perhaps through marriage or a previous relationship.

In the second stanza, the speaker explains the significance of the token. He tells his beloved that it is not just a piece of jewelry, but a symbol of their love that will endure even after they are separated by death. He says that the token will be a "monument" to their love, a tangible reminder of their commitment to each other. The use of the word "monument" suggests that the token will be a lasting tribute to their love, something that will endure long after they are gone.

The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem: the idea of separation. The speaker acknowledges that they will not always be together, that death will eventually come between them. However, he reassures his beloved that their love will endure even after they are separated. He says that the token will be a "pledge" of their love, a promise that they will be reunited in the afterlife. The use of the word "pledge" emphasizes the solemnity and seriousness of their commitment to each other.

The fourth stanza takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and death. He says that their love is not just a fleeting emotion, but a "virtue" that transcends time and space. He suggests that their love is a reflection of something greater, perhaps the divine love that exists in the universe. The use of the word "virtue" suggests that their love is a moral and ethical force, something that is inherently good and valuable.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reaffirms his commitment to his beloved. He says that their love will endure even after they are separated by death, and that the token will be a reminder of their love for all eternity. He ends the poem with a powerful image of their love as a "flame" that will never be extinguished, a symbol of their enduring passion and devotion.

Throughout the poem, Donne uses a variety of literary devices and techniques to convey his message. One of the most notable is his use of imagery, particularly the image of the token as a symbol of their love. He describes the token as a "little heart" made of gold, which he has engraved with their initials. This image is both delicate and precious, emphasizing the value and rarity of their love. The use of gold as the material also suggests that their love is something that is valuable and enduring.

Donne also uses metaphor to convey his message. He compares their love to a "flame" that will never be extinguished, suggesting that their passion and devotion will endure even after they are separated by death. He also compares the token to a "monument" and a "pledge," emphasizing its significance as a lasting tribute to their love.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry that consists of five iambs per line. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, emphasizing the beauty and elegance of the language. The poem also uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a sense of symmetry and balance.

In conclusion, "The Token" is a masterpiece of John Donne's metaphysical poetry, exploring complex themes of love, death, and spirituality. Through the use of imagery, metaphor, and rhyme, Donne conveys a powerful message about the enduring nature of love and the significance of tangible symbols of affection. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and emotion, and a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of the greatest poets of the English language.

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