![]() ![]() Hence, the optimism and brand new perspectives presented by John Donne’s poems had captured the imagination of 17th century English public. The dreaded Bubonic plague that first struck England in the 13th century made reappearance during this period, further causing death and destruction to the English society. This socio-historical context was most conducive to the resurgence of Christian values and virtues, which have seen a decline during the ‘dark ages’. There were epidemic diseases, political turmoil, military coup de tats and overall decadence. In the two centuries before this era, England was going through the ‘dark ages’ along with the rest of continental Europe. It was a time of rapid political and social transformation in England. The poem (usually referred to as Sonnet 10) was composed during the early seventeenth century. It is important to understand the historical context of the poem in order to fully appreciate its merits. ![]() Moreover, death is not the tyrant that it imagines itself to be rather, it is a slave to the arbitrary dictates of fate and chance and to the whims of capricious monarchs and murderers.” (Donne, 2002) Death not only provides “Rest of…bones” but also “soul’s delivery,” a release into a peaceful eternity. “Rather than being a fearful experience, death brings greater release and pleasure than rest and sleep, which people use to restore their energy. To the contrary, John Donne suggests that Further, the poet employs the notion of ‘paradox’ to good effect in dismantling the traditional view of death as a morbid and catastrophic event. While the Christian overtones might sound a little hyperbolic, the poem does succeed in providing consoling thoughts to the readers (Holy Sonnet 10, 1998). The poet also alludes to the Christian belief in the after-life, stating that death is just a short sleep toward eternal existence. Consistent with John Donne’s image as a religious poet (and a decidedly Christian one at that), the poet seems to suggest that those who do not live their lives according to Christian doctrine might have to face eternal damnation, while at the same time true believers have little to fear. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |