Riding Westward, By John Donne

One’s identity may be questioned when suffering; ultimately suffering is what creates one’s sense of self or what destroys it. The poetry of John Donne and the play W;t, 1993, by Margaret Edson, both illustrate and explore a sense of suffering and identity. In John Donne’s poetry, suffering, both emotionally and physically allows the speaker to understand their identity in more depth, in comparison to Margaret Edson’s play, W;t, Vivian’s suffering leads her identity to be stripped away. In Donne’s sonnet, ‘If poysonous mineralls’ we are shown suffering religiously and emotionally, through one’s sin’s, questioning god’s justice, which leads to a realisation of one’s identity. In Margaret Edson’s play, W;t, Vivian’s emotional suffering

Despite the differences in context, a comparative study of the poetry of John Donne and Margaret Edson’s play, ‘W;t’, is essential for a more complete understanding of the values and ideas presented in ‘W;t’. Discuss this with close reference to both texts.

In the poem, Donne starts off by explaining to his wife that he will have to die eventually. He implies, “As virtuous men pass mildly away, and whisper to their souls to go…” (page 484, lines one and two). Donne uses these first lines to explain to his love that even though he has to sail away, he’s eventually going to die anyway; therefore, she should not be upset. His lover then feels even more upset, and he explains to her that they will be in love with each other forever, for they are not in love with each others bodies. Thus, Donne enlightens his wife by telling her that he’ll still be with her, even if it’s not physically.

A text is essentially a product of its context, as its prevailing values are inherently derived by the author from society. However, the emergence of post-modern theories allows for audience interpretation, thus it must be recognised that meaning in texts can be shaped and reshaped. Significantly, this may occur as connections between texts are explored. These notions are reflected in the compostion of Edson’s W;t and Donne’s poetry as their relationship is established through intertextual references, corresponding values and ideas and the use of language features. Edson particularly portrays key values surrounding the notions of the importance of loved based relationships, and death and resurrection: central themes of Donne’s Holy Sonnets

6. In two or three sentences, explain how the difficult existence described in “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” (see the Connection on page 269) corresponds to your previous notion of life in the late 1500s. In light of this information, what is surprising—or, perhaps, not surprising—about the visions of life presented in the pastoral poems you have just read?

John Donne wrote “The Good Morrow” was written in 1633, and it was part of John Donne’s famous “Songs and Sonnets which was consider the corner stone of his career. Donne was a very passionate writer when it came to his love poems. He was born in London in 1572 and educated in many subjects and it showed in his poems with his very strong imagery, puns, and paradoxes. He was considered one of the best metaphysical writers ever. He liked to show his vast array of knowledge in many of his works. His love poems were a little different from his later works when he became a preacher. His earlier love poems were very passionate and dramatic it seemed to express how extreme his youthful years were. Donne was said to be part of many sexual rumors during his youth, and the audience he wrote could see that in his poem. Donne’s early life he was branded as an outsider and it did not really change throughout his life; his place in society seemed to jump around all his life from passionate bachelor to a preacher. His current status in life seemed to influence his work tremendously. Looking at his life it tells us that youth is the part of life that the idea of love is mainly concentrated during this time. Later in his life he seems to settle down with his ideas on love, and his ideas of love become more subtle.

In “Valediction Forbidding Mourning,” the third stanza (lines 9-12) compares the married lovers separation to an earthquake. The idea brings panic and fear to mind and is thought to be catastrophic. Donne then says “Though greater far, is innocent.” (line 12), meaning that while the thought seemed so devastating, in reality it is just an innocent small rumble, or “bump in the road,” that doesn’t have damaging lasting effects. In “Because I Could Not Stop for Death,” the sunset is an important metaphor.

John Donne’s diction, detail, point of view, metaphysical format, and tone used in “Holy Sonnet 10” convey both a feeling of cynical and domination, and also a sense of mockery of death. The effects on the reader include assurance and confidence in facing death.

Donne begins with a informative tone shift through the use of a inspiring personification and a classical allusion. Donne started with an informative tone to slowly weaken death when he says, “Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;”(ln. 1-2) and “And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.”(ln. 7-8). The personification and allusion makes out death to seem much smaller and less scary than it is made out to be.

American history teaches us that, going west has always been a regarded as progression. From the earliest settlers to the “new land” to the idea of Manifest Destiny, progressive movement and thinking has always traveled west. The west is always thought of as being more liberal more free. “True West” A compelling play written by Sam Shepard, developed characters that “struggle to define and assert their identities.” <1702> By using the idea of going west Shepard’s play’s “ present a picture of America torn between its idealistic values and the painful realties of frontier paved over for a parking lot, and cowboys enclosed in a move and television screen.”<1702> By comparing and contrasting the lead characters Austin and Lee, Shepard shows the reader that “going west” does not always mean a change in the right direction.

Donne's purpose is clear: he is writing to convince himself and society that no matter what denomination one chooses to adhere to, they are all seen as one under the eyes of God. He concludes the

In the poems “The Wanderer” and “The Dream of the Rood,” anonymous authors give way to the idea that an Almighty God will solve every problem a person has by doing two things: 1) drawing upon the memories of a warrior who has lost everything near and dear to him due to war, and 2) entering the dream of a man who has been exiled and isolated. Each piece takes its reader through the trials and tribulations that one may not relate to in this era, yet the reader is still there alongside the character wanting them to find peace with their world and themselves. Initially, it is believed that the characters will overcome their hardships and achieve the happiness they seek. However, as the reader delves deeper into the character’s story, there is an overwhelming sense of incompleteness. What actually happens at the end of each piece is not written in stone - telling us the story is not whole - nor has a conclusion been reached. The intrapersonal thoughts being shared with the reader reveal the obstacles that keep an overall wholeness from occurring.

By making many references to the Bible, John Donne's Holy Sonnets reveal his want to be accepted and forgiven by God. A fear of death without God's forgiveness of sins is conveyed in these sonnets. Donne expresses extreme anxiety and fright that Satan has taken over his soul and God won't forgive him for it or his sins. A central theme of healing and forgiveness imply that John Donne, however much he wrote about God and being holy, wasn't such a holy man all of the time and tried to make up for it in his writing.

Donne and Milton are metaphysical poets writing in the 17th century. The “Holy Sonnets” and “Paradise Lost Book 1 and 2” by Donne and Milton respectively, focuses on the theme of Religion. My analysis will constitute of the following poetic techniques: personification, allegory and tone which I will use to show how both poets are similar, or different and how both uses different styles of writing to celebrate faith.

I shall now talk about how religion relates to Donne’s poetry. His life passed during a major change of religion in England the king wanted all control of the church so he could divorce his wife, he declared himself head of the Church of England. My first poem that relates to religion is ‘The Flea’ in this poem Donne is trying to convince a woman to sleep with him by using religion to sanctify him sleeping with her for example when he says ‘Where we almost, nay more, than married are…our marriage bed, and marriage temple is[2]’, he makes the bed seem holy and that g-d wants them to sleep together this may of reassured her as it connects g-d and the church together to make everything alright and holy . This poem proves that Donne is a very