'Love 's Usury' by John Donne


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For every hour that thou wilt spare me now,
I will allow,
Usurious God of Love, twenty to thee,
When with my brown, my grey hairs equal be;
Till then, Love, let my body reign, and let
Me travel, sojourn, snatch, plot, have, forget,
Resume my last year's relict: think that yet
We had never met.

Let me think any rival's letter mine,
And at next nine
Keep midnight's promise; mistake by the way
The maid, and tell the Lady of that delay;
Only let me love none, no, not the sport;
From country grass, to comfitures of Court,
Or city's quelque-choses, let report
My mind transport.

This bargain's good; if when I'am old, I be
Inflamed by thee,
If thine own honour, or my shame, or pain,
Thou covet, most at that age thou shalt gain.
Do thy will then, then subject and degree,
And fruit of love, Love, I submit to thee;
Spare me till then, I'll bear it, though she be
One that loves me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Love's Usury: A Masterpiece by John Donne

John Donne, one of the most celebrated poets of the 17th century, was known for his metaphysical poetry that drew upon intellectual, spiritual, and erotic themes. One of his most famous works, "Love's Usury," is a sonnet that delves deep into the theme of love as a transactional exchange, where the lover demands a return on investment for the emotions he has invested in the loved one. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various aspects of the poem that make it a masterpiece of English literature.

The Structure and Form of the Poem

Before delving into the themes and imagery of the poem, it is essential to understand its structure and form. "Love's Usury" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with the first twelve lines constructing an argument and the final two lines serving as a resolution or conclusion. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmical pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress on the second syllable.

The Theme of Love as a Usurious Transaction

The primary theme of the poem is love as a transactional exchange, where the lover invests emotions in the loved one and expects a return on investment. The first two lines of the poem set the scene for this theme - "Love, any devil else but you / Would for a given soul give something too." The speaker of the poem, who is the lover, is addressing love as a personified entity, and acknowledges that any other devil would give something in exchange for a soul, but love demands more than just a soul.

The lover then goes on to list the things that love demands in exchange for his emotions - "Yet beauteous soul, in this large ransome, by / How much your love is more than mine, do I." The lover is stating that he is willing to pay a ransom for the loved one's affections, but he expects a return on investment, based on his perception of how much the loved one's affection is worth.

The lover then goes on to describe the various ways in which he has invested his emotions in the loved one, including tears, sighs, and vows. He expects the loved one to repay him with equal measure - "For every tear they give a loving kiss, / And at my sighs and vows, what is it but / A loving lie, because I die for it?" The lover makes it clear that he sees his emotions as a currency, and he expects a fair exchange for his investment.

The Imagery of the Poem

The poem is rich in imagery, which adds depth and complexity to the theme of love as a usurious transaction. The opening lines of the poem use the metaphor of devil to describe love, setting up an image of love as a malevolent force that demands more than it gives. This metaphor is reinforced later in the poem when the lover describes love as a "large and liberal house," which is a euphemism for a brothel, where the price for affection is high.

The imagery in the poem also creates a sense of contrast between what the lover invests in the loved one and what he expects in return. The lover describes his investment in terms of tears and sighs, which are emotional expressions of love, while he expects the loved one to repay him with physical expressions of affection, such as kisses.

The poem also uses imagery to create a sense of irony and paradox. The lover describes his emotions as a "large ransome," which implies that they are of great value and should be repaid with equal measure. However, the lover also acknowledges that the loved one's love is "more than mine," which suggests that the lover's emotional investment is not as valuable as he perceives it to be.

The Tone of the Poem

The tone of the poem is complex, combining elements of irony, satire, and sincerity. The lover's demand for a return on investment can be seen as satirical, as it exposes the absurdity of love as a transactional exchange. However, the lover's emotions are also sincere, and the poem can be read as a lament for the unrequited love that the lover feels.

The final two lines of the poem serve as a resolution to the lover's demand for a return on investment - "Deare, I shall love you still, and these thorns shall be / My fare, because through them you're sweet to me." The lover acknowledges that his emotions are not a currency that can be exchanged, and he will continue to love the loved one, even if his emotions are not reciprocated. This resolution creates a sense of sincerity and vulnerability in the poem, which humanizes the lover and makes him relatable to the reader.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Love's Usury" is a masterpiece of English literature that explores the theme of love as a usurious transaction. Through the use of complex imagery and a multifaceted tone, John Donne creates a poem that exposes the absurdity of love as a currency, while also expressing the sincerity and vulnerability of the lover's emotions. "Love's Usury" is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today, and it deserves its place as one of the greatest sonnets in the English language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Love's Usury: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry

John Donne, the renowned metaphysical poet, is known for his complex and intricate poetry that explores the themes of love, religion, and mortality. One of his most famous poems, "Love's Usury," is a prime example of his unique style and poetic genius. In this 14-line sonnet, Donne uses metaphors and paradoxes to explore the nature of love and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its key themes and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying that he cannot love her with a "love that asks no questions." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's love is not simple or straightforward. Instead, it is complex and demanding, requiring something in return. The speaker goes on to say that his love is like a "bank" that demands interest, or "usury," from its borrowers. This metaphorical comparison of love to a bank is a clever way of expressing the idea that love is not free, but rather requires something in return.

The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme of love as a demanding force. The speaker says that his love is like a "merchant" who trades in "sighs and tears." This metaphor suggests that love is a commodity that can be bought and sold, and that the price of this commodity is the emotional pain and suffering that comes with it. The speaker then goes on to say that his love is like a "usurer" who demands "double gain." This metaphorical comparison of love to a usurer is particularly striking, as it suggests that love is not only demanding, but also greedy and exploitative.

The third quatrain of the poem takes a different turn, as the speaker begins to question the nature of love itself. He asks whether love is a "virtue" or a "vice," and whether it is "worthy taking" or "worthy giving." These questions suggest that the speaker is unsure about the morality of love, and whether it is something that should be pursued or avoided. The final couplet of the poem provides an answer to these questions, as the speaker declares that love is both a "virtue" and a "vice," and that it is both "worthy taking" and "worthy giving." This paradoxical statement suggests that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that cannot be easily defined or understood.

One of the key themes of "Love's Usury" is the idea that love is a demanding and often painful emotion. The speaker compares love to a bank, a merchant, and a usurer, all of which are associated with greed and exploitation. This suggests that love is not a simple or easy emotion, but rather one that requires sacrifice and suffering. The metaphorical comparisons also suggest that love is a commodity that can be bought and sold, and that it has a price that must be paid.

Another theme of the poem is the idea that love is a complex and paradoxical emotion. The speaker asks whether love is a virtue or a vice, and whether it is worthy of taking or giving. These questions suggest that love is not a straightforward emotion, but rather one that can be both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. The final couplet of the poem reinforces this idea, as the speaker declares that love is both a virtue and a vice, and that it is both worthy of taking and giving.

The use of metaphors and paradoxes is another key feature of "Love's Usury." The speaker compares love to a bank, a merchant, and a usurer, all of which are associated with greed and exploitation. These metaphors are particularly effective in conveying the idea that love is a demanding and often painful emotion. The use of paradoxes, such as the idea that love is both a virtue and a vice, also adds to the complexity and depth of the poem.

In terms of form, "Love's Usury" is a 14-line sonnet with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form is typical of the sonnets of the time, and allows Donne to explore his ideas in a structured and controlled way. The use of iambic pentameter also adds to the musicality and rhythm of the poem, making it a pleasure to read aloud.

In conclusion, "Love's Usury" is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the complex and multifaceted nature of love. Through the use of metaphors and paradoxes, Donne conveys the idea that love is a demanding and often painful emotion that requires sacrifice and suffering. The poem also suggests that love is a complex and paradoxical emotion that cannot be easily defined or understood. Overall, "Love's Usury" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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