Concetti Chiave
- John Donne was born in 1572 in London and initially pursued studies at Oxford and Lincoln’s Inn without completing a degree.
- Donne's life and poetry are divided into secular and sacred themes, with his love poetry representing the secular side.
- He became renowned for his Protestant sermons and was appointed Royal Chaplain by James I in 1615.
- Donne's sonnet, written after his wife's death, reflects on death as a powerless force, likening it to a pleasant sleep.
- Donne broke with the Petrarchan tradition in poetry, influencing a new group of poets known as the metaphysical poets.
John Donne's early life
John Donne was born in 1572 in London into the family of a tradesman. In 1588 he left Oxford without taking his degree, which would have obliged him to take the oath of supremacy. In 1592 Donne entered Lincoln’s Inn as a law-student: attending plays, seducing woman and composing poetry. After this decade in the high school, he became chief secretary of an important court official, Sir Thomas Egerton, whose niece Donne secretly married in 1601.
Donne's religious influence
He became such famous for his protestant sermons that in 1615 James I appointed him Royal Chaplain. In the following decade he won fame and respect as a formidable preacher and writer. Donne seriously ill in 1630 and died in the same year.
As his life, also his poetry is divided into two halves: secular and sacred one. The secular side is represented by love poetry.
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy. It describes the complexity of themes and concepts of Donne’s poetry. The rhythm of speech is irregular and represent the sudden changes of emotion.
Death and Donne's sonnet
This Sonnet was published in 1633, and was written after the death of Donne’s wife, Ann More. in this play Donne wrote that
- Death thinks wrongly that can kill people
- Death is a long sleep, and sleep is pleasant for everyone
- Death can’t control facts and people
- Poison and poppy are better way to sleep
Both syntax and themes are difficult, but the words of the text are simple and belong to every day English.
age, the sacred one is expressed in the Holy Sonnet.
Donne's poetic innovations
The main convention he broke was the Petrarchan model of lover and his lady. There are the same ability both secular poetry and sacred poetry, like Holy Sonnet. Donne’s example inspire a new school of poets, known as ‘the metaphysical poets’.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key influences in John Donne's early life and career?
- How did John Donne's religious beliefs impact his career and literary work?
- What themes are explored in Donne's sonnet on death, and how does it reflect his poetic style?
John Donne was born in 1572 in London and left Oxford in 1588 without a degree to avoid taking the oath of supremacy. He studied law at Lincoln’s Inn, where he engaged in various activities, including composing poetry. His career took a significant turn when he became the chief secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton and secretly married Egerton's niece in 1601.
Donne's Protestant sermons gained him fame, leading to his appointment as Royal Chaplain by James I in 1615. His religious influence is evident in his sacred poetry, such as the Holy Sonnet, which contrasts with his earlier secular love poetry. His work inspired the metaphysical poets, known for their complex themes and irregular rhythms.
In his sonnet on death, published in 1633, Donne challenges the power of death, portraying it as a mere long sleep and suggesting that substances like poison and poppy offer a better rest. The sonnet's syntax and themes are complex, yet the language is simple and accessible, reflecting Donne's innovative style that broke away from the Petrarchan model.
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