Sweetest love i do not go by john donne

METAPHYSICAL POETRY

1. “Sweetest Love I Do Not Goe ” (1611) John Donne (1572 – 1631) INTRODUCTION: John Donne is chiefly remembered as a M etaphysical poet. Metaphysical poetry flourished in the 17 th century and is characterized by: original and startling images wit colloquial speech a strong sense of morality compact expression flexible rhythm and metre hyperbole the conceit A conceit is a striking metaphor created by the combination of two dissimilar things .

2. John Donne wrote religious poetry, love poetry, satires , sermons and elegies. His poetic talent was wide ranging and showcased his versatility. God Love Death Time Nature Science

3. OVERVIEW: “Sweetest Love I Do Not Goe ” (1611) was written by John Donne for his wife Ann Moore. In the poem, Donne is preparing to go on a journey, but his wife is afraid of what will happen to him on the journey and does not want him to go. John Donne convinces her that he will be alright and tells her that the time alone will actually prepare her for the possibility of his death in the future. Through the poem, Donne expresses his passionate love for his wife by argument and reason . Donne also dwells on the transience of life and mankind’s suffering. Thus, Donne moves from the personal realm to the universal realm, in order to clothe his poem with a significant relevance.

4. EXPLANATION and ANALYSIS: 1 st stanza: Donne begins the poem as if in reply to his wife, saying that he is not going because he is tired of her and is searching for a new love. More importantly he says, since he will die some day, perhaps it will be best for his wife to pretend that he has died. This pretence will serve as a good preparation for her, if the possibility ever arises. From the beginning, Donne highlights death a s an important theme in his poetry and an inevitable event in a person’s life. Donne uses the prospect of a journey to help prepare his wife for his death .

5. 2 nd stanza: Moving on with his argument, Donne uses a conceit involving himself and the sun : He says that the sun sets in the evening and returns to rise in the morning. Donne also adds that the sun does not possess desire and sense like he does. The duration of the sun’s journey is also much longer than the duration of his journey. That is why his wife has no reason to fear for him. As a human, Donne says that he possesses “more wings and spurs” than the sun. The words “wings and spurs” stand for the love and joy that Donne has with his wife and which the sun will never have. The love and joy that he has will propel and carry him and will also be his motivation and inspiration during his journey. In this stanza, Donne makes use of the belief of old astronomy which states that the sun revolves around the earth. This comparison showcases his knowledge of science. At the same time, the nature of the sun as a non-human object allows Donne to highlight the love and joy shared between a man and woman. It is here that the beauty of a human relationship lies.

6. 3 rd stanza From talking about the happiness of human life, Donne then shows the uncertainty of happiness lasting. Donne says that man’s power is so weak that if good things are lost and bad things happen, man cannot go back in time to change the course of events. T he sorrow and pain burdens man and he surrenders to its weight. Man does not fight to overcome the sorrow and pain but becomes depressed and actually makes the effect of pain and suffering stronger until it overwhelms him. In this stanza, Donne reveals that he is aware of both sides of human life: the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. This serves to illuminate man’s strength and weakness.

7. 4 th stanza Following the pattern of universal to personal , Donne now expresses his love for his wife. He makes use of the device of hyperbole by saying that when his wife sighs, she sighs his soul away. Building on this Donne goes on to say that when his wife weeps his blood starts to decay. The negative reactions of his wife seem to cause in him a corresponding suffering. This testifies to the power and depth of his love for her. Donne says that it cannot be that his wife loves him as she says, if in her, his life goes to waste. She is the best part of him and he wants her to r epresent all that is beautiful in his life. The device of hyperbole contributes to Donne’s lyrical effusion of emotion. The tone becomes passionate and intense. Here, Donne shows the power of love and the oneness of the relationship.

8. 5 th stanza In the concluding stanza, Donne urges his wife to do away with her negative thoughts of the future because destiny may fulfill what she fears most. Donne suggests a solution and tells his wife that while he is gone, she should pretend as if they are sleeping with their backs turned to one another. Thus, even though she cannot see him, she knows he is there. The poem ends with a positive declaration that those lovers who keep each other alive in their hearts will never be parted. The poem ends with an understanding of the role of destiny in the life of man . Ultimately, man has to face destiny with strength and dignity. In this way, Donne is able to console and comfort his wife and to rid her of her worries and fears.

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