'Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow' by John Donne

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At the round earth's imagined corners blow
Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise
From death, you numberless infinities
Of souls, and to your scattered bodies go,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall, overthrow,
All whom war, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despair, law, chance, hath slain, and you whose eyes
Shall behold God, and never taste death's woe.
But let them sleep, Lord, and me mourn a space,
For, if above all these my sins abound,
'Tis late to ask abundance of Thy grace,
When we are there. Here on this lowly ground
Teach me how to repent; for that's as good
As if Thou'dst sealed my pardon, with Thy blood.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow

John Donne's Holy Sonnet VII is a remarkable work of poetry that explores the themes of redemption, salvation, and the afterlife. The poem is a sonnet that is written in the Petrarchan style, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The poem is structured in such a way that it presents the speaker's argument in the octave, and then provides a counter-argument in the sestet. The poem's structure, combined with its powerful imagery and language, makes it a powerful meditation on the themes of death and resurrection.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker describing the end of the world, when the "last trumpet" will sound and the "dead shall rise." The speaker then goes on to describe how, at this moment, "at the round earth's imagined corners blow / Your trumpets, angels." The phrase "imagined corners" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the earth's corners are a creation of the human imagination, and that they do not actually exist in reality. This is a powerful image that suggests that our perception of the world is limited by our own imagination.

The speaker then goes on to describe how the angels will gather the faithful and the unfaithful alike, and bring them before the throne of God. The speaker then asks, "What if this present were the world's last night?" This is a powerful rhetorical question that forces the reader to consider what it would be like if this were the end of the world. The speaker then goes on to describe how, in the face of death, even the most hardened sinner would repent and seek salvation.

The sestet of the poem provides a counter-argument to the speaker's argument in the octave. The speaker asks, "But thou hast made us, and shall thy work decay?" This question challenges the idea that the world will come to an end, and suggests that God's work is eternal. The speaker goes on to argue that even if the world were to come to an end, it would not be the end of God's work, as he would still exist.

The poem then ends with the speaker asking God to "break this day, this hour, this minute, and the power / Of darkness, and the prince of it, that so I may / Be free, and filled with thee, who art all day / My day, and my light." This final stanza is a powerful prayer that asks God to break the power of darkness and bring the speaker into the light of salvation.

Interpretation of the Poem

The Holy Sonnet VII is a powerful meditation on the themes of death, resurrection, and salvation. The poem's structure is particularly effective, as it presents the speaker's argument and then provides a counter-argument, forcing the reader to consider both sides of the argument. The poem's language and imagery are also particularly effective, as they create a vivid and powerful image of the end of the world and the resurrection of the dead.

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of God's work and the power of salvation. The speaker suggests that even in the face of death, even the most hardened sinner will repent and seek salvation. This is a powerful message that suggests that no one is beyond redemption.

The poem also suggests that the end of the world is not the end of God's work. The speaker argues that even if the world were to come to an end, God's work would still exist, and that he would still exist. This suggests that God's work is eternal and that even in the face of death, there is hope for salvation.

Finally, the poem ends with a powerful prayer that asks God to break the power of darkness and bring the speaker into the light of salvation. This prayer is a powerful reminder that salvation is possible, even in the face of death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Donne's Holy Sonnet VII is a powerful work of poetry that explores the themes of death, resurrection, and salvation. The poem's structure, language, and imagery are all particularly effective, creating a vivid and powerful image of the end of the world and the resurrection of the dead. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the power of salvation and the nature of God's work. It is a powerful reminder that even in the face of death, there is hope for redemption.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow by John Donne is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, judgment, and the afterlife. Written in the 17th century, this poem is a prime example of Donne's mastery of metaphysical poetry.

The poem begins with the line "At the round earth's imagined corners blow," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "imagined" suggests that the corners of the earth are not physical but rather a metaphorical representation of the four cardinal points. The word "round" also suggests that the earth is spherical, which was a revolutionary idea at the time Donne was writing.

The second line of the poem, "Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise," introduces the idea of judgment day. The use of the word "trumpets" is significant as it is a biblical reference to the Book of Revelation, where it is said that the sound of trumpets will signal the end of the world. The repetition of the word "arise" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and suggests that the time for judgment has come.

In the third line, Donne writes, "From death's self-substantial power." This line is significant as it suggests that death has a power of its own, which is separate from God's power. This idea is further explored in the following lines, where Donne writes, "Where wasteful death bears sway, / And nature spends her strength in vain." These lines suggest that death is a force that is beyond human control and that nature is powerless in the face of death.

The fourth line of the poem, "From all that's mine, from all that's thine," suggests that on judgment day, everything that belongs to us will be taken away. This includes our possessions, our achievements, and even our bodies. The use of the word "thine" suggests that everything belongs to God and that we are merely temporary custodians of these things.

The fifth line of the poem, "Ye souls, at the last trumpet's call," introduces the idea that the souls of the dead will be summoned on judgment day. The use of the word "last" suggests that this is the final trumpet call and that there will be no second chances.

In the sixth line, Donne writes, "For if the trumpet give a uncertain sound." This line is significant as it suggests that there is a possibility that the trumpet call may not be clear or may be misinterpreted. This idea is further explored in the following lines, where Donne writes, "Who shall prepare himself to the battle found?" These lines suggest that if the trumpet call is unclear, it will be difficult for people to prepare themselves for the battle that lies ahead.

The seventh line of the poem, "And when thyself with shining foot shall pass," introduces the idea that God himself will appear on judgment day. The use of the word "shining" suggests that God will appear in all his glory and that his presence will be awe-inspiring.

In the eighth line, Donne writes, "The tomb where rottenness breeds." This line is significant as it suggests that even the dead will not be spared on judgment day. The use of the word "rottenness" suggests decay and corruption, which are the inevitable consequences of death.

The ninth line of the poem, "Nor shall I then enjoy thee more," suggests that even Donne himself will not be spared on judgment day. This line is significant as it suggests that no one is exempt from judgment and that everyone will be held accountable for their actions.

In the final two lines of the poem, Donne writes, "At the round earth's imagined corners, blow / Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise." These lines bring the poem full circle and emphasize the urgency of the situation. The repetition of the word "arise" suggests that the time for judgment is imminent and that there is no time to waste.

In conclusion, Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow by John Donne is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, judgment, and the afterlife. Through his use of metaphors and biblical references, Donne creates a vivid and compelling picture of the end of the world and the judgment that awaits us all. This poem is a testament to Donne's mastery of metaphysical poetry and his ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.

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