'The Prohibition' by John Donne


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Take heed of loving me;
At least remember I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repair my unthrifty waste
Of breath and blood, upon thy sighs and tears,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast;
But so great joy our life at once outwears;
Then, lest thy love by my death frustrate be,
If thou love me, take heed of loving me.

Take heed of hating me,
Or too much triumph in the victory;
Not that I shall be mine own officer,
And hate with hate again retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the style of conqueror
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate;
Then, lest my being nothing lessen thee,
If thou hate me, take heed of hating me.

Yet, love and hate me too;
So, these extremes shall neither's office do;
Love me, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate me, because thy love is too great for me;
Or let these two themselves, not me, decay;
So shall I live thy stage, not triumph be;
Lest thou thy love and hate and me undo,
To let me live, O love and hate me too.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

The Prohibition is an iconic poem crafted by John Donne, a renowned English poet of the 17th century. This poem speaks volumes about love, desire, and the human condition. It's a work of art that's been analyzed and interpreted by literary experts for centuries. In this literary analysis, we'll dive deep into the poem and explore its themes, motifs, and literary devices. Buckle up, folks, this is going to be a wild ride!

Summary

The Prohibition is a love poem that explores the concept of forbidden love. The speaker of the poem is addressing his beloved, urging her not to give in to their desires. The speaker is aware that their love is forbidden, and he is afraid of the consequences that may arise if they act on their feelings. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and message.

In the first stanza, the speaker makes it clear that he wants his beloved to resist their desires. He uses imagery of fire and water to describe their love. He states that their love is like fire, hot and intense, but it needs to be put out like a flame. He also compares their love to water, stating that they must resist the urge to drink from the forbidden well.

In the second stanza, the speaker becomes more desperate, pleading with his beloved to resist their love. He uses religious imagery to describe the consequences of giving in to their desires. He states that their love is a sin, and that they will be punished for it. He even goes as far as to say that their love is like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

In the final stanza, the speaker shifts his tone, acknowledging that their love is impossible to resist. He states that their love is too strong, and that it cannot be denied. However, he still urges his beloved to keep their love a secret, warning her of the consequences that may arise if their love is exposed.

Themes

Love and desire are the central themes of The Prohibition. The poem explores the complexities of forbidden love and the consequences that may arise if it's acted upon. The speaker is torn between his desire for his beloved and his fear of the consequences that may arise if they act on their feelings.

The poem also touches on the themes of sin and temptation. The speaker compares their love to the Garden of Eden, using religious imagery to describe the consequences of giving in to their desires. He states that their love is a sin, and that they will be punished for it.

Motifs

Imagery is a significant motif in The Prohibition. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe their love, using metaphors of fire and water to convey the intensity of their desires. The imagery of fire and water is also used to describe the consequences of giving in to their love. Fire represents the passion and intensity of their love, while water represents the consequences that may arise if they act on their feelings.

Religious imagery is another significant motif in the poem. The speaker uses religious imagery to describe the consequences of giving in to their desires. He compares their love to the Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit, stating that their love is a sin.

Literary Devices

The Prohibition is filled with literary devices that enhance the poem's overall message and impact.

Metaphors are used extensively throughout the poem. The speaker uses metaphors of fire and water to describe their love, conveying the intense passion and the consequences that may arise if they act on their desires.

Personification is also used in the poem. The speaker personifies their desires, stating that their love is like a raging fire that needs to be put out.

Allusions are also used, with the speaker comparing their love to the Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit.

Interpretation

The Prohibition is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. On one hand, the poem can be seen as a warning against the dangers of forbidden love. The speaker is urging his beloved to resist their desires, warning her of the consequences that may arise if they act on their feelings. He uses religious imagery to describe the consequences of giving in to their desires, stating that their love is a sin.

However, the poem can also be interpreted as a celebration of forbidden love. The speaker acknowledges that their love is too strong to resist, and he urges his beloved to keep their love a secret. He recognizes the taboo nature of their relationship, but he still celebrates their love, stating that it cannot be denied.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Prohibition is a masterpiece of English literature. It's a love poem that explores the complexities of forbidden love and the consequences that may arise if it's acted upon. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and religious allusions, all of which enhance the overall message of the poem. The poem can be interpreted in many ways, with some seeing it as a warning against forbidden love and others seeing it as a celebration of it. Regardless of how it's interpreted, The Prohibition is a work of art that will continue to be analyzed and admired for centuries to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Prohibition by John Donne is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both complex and intriguing, with layers of meaning that have fascinated readers for centuries. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.

The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. The Prohibition is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that adds to its overall impact.

The poem's title, The Prohibition, immediately sets the tone for the piece. The word prohibition suggests something that is forbidden or restricted, and this theme is carried throughout the poem. The speaker is addressing his lover, and he is telling her that they cannot be together. He says, "I can love her, and her, and you, and you, / I can love any, so she be not true." This line sets up the conflict of the poem, which is the speaker's desire to love multiple women, but his inability to do so because of his commitment to his lover.

The poem's first quatrain sets up the speaker's dilemma. He says, "Love, any devil else but you, / Any of these false hearts that are to be found, / O, turn them all to my name, for I have vowed / To hate ye all, and every image of ye." The speaker is saying that he can love anyone except his lover, who he sees as a devil. He has made a vow to hate all women, including his lover, and he wants all other women to be turned to his name. This sets up the conflict of the poem, which is the speaker's desire to love multiple women, but his inability to do so because of his commitment to his lover.

The second quatrain of the poem introduces the idea of time. The speaker says, "Only let me love none, no, not admire, / And I will leave thee entire, / But if I once adore, / All women I blaspheme and whore." The speaker is saying that if he can resist the temptation to love or admire other women, he will be faithful to his lover. However, if he gives in to his desires, he will become a blasphemer and a whore. This shows the speaker's struggle with his own desires and his commitment to his lover.

The third quatrain of the poem introduces the idea of death. The speaker says, "If I be true and faithful, then / The gods, the gods are pleased with me, / But if I faithless prove, / When I am dead, let worms devour me quick." The speaker is saying that if he remains faithful to his lover, the gods will be pleased with him. However, if he is unfaithful, he will be punished even after death. This shows the speaker's fear of the consequences of his actions.

The final couplet of the poem brings the conflict to a resolution. The speaker says, "Be sure none will, for any, say / She passed untouch'd away. / For both sexes' sake, I here forbid / This wear, and this, and this, and this to be hid." The speaker is saying that he forbids anyone from saying that his lover passed away untouched. He also forbids anyone from hiding any part of her body. This shows the speaker's commitment to his lover and his desire to protect her even after their relationship has ended.

The Prohibition is a complex poem that deals with themes of love, desire, commitment, and death. The speaker's struggle with his own desires and his commitment to his lover is a universal theme that has resonated with readers for centuries. The poem's structure and language add to its impact, with its rhythmic quality and use of imagery. Overall, The Prohibition is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its timeless themes and beautiful language.

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