Question: Donne is a love poet- discuss.
Introduction
John Donne (1572-1631) is famous for metaphysical poetry and he is considered as the love poet. Some salient features give him the recognition of a love poet. These are mentioned below.
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Description
Love is the most alluring and important subject in human civilization. John Donne is a love poet. In his poetry, we find some signs which make him a love poet.
Subject matter
The subject matter of Donne’s poetry is based on love. In almost all of his poems such as The Good Morrow, The Sun Rising, A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, The Canonization, and so on, we find the theme of love. Donne has demonstrated a subtle passion for love in his poetry. He has upheld his love from a practical point of view.
“If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two,
Thy soul the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’other do”.
Here, the poet has expressed his passionate love which is packed up with practicality.
Metaphysical theme
Donne’s poetry is obsessed with the metaphysical theme. The word metaphysical means abstract objects such as Love, Faith, Religion, God, and so on. In the case of Donne’s poetry, we find the metaphysical theme of love. So, we can say that Donne is a love poet.
Passionate decoration of love
John Donne is unique in his love poetry. He is not only unique in his poetry but also a real lover in his real life. His wife Anny Donne is the main source of Donne’s passionate love poetry. ”The Good Morrow ”, This poem is written to say good morning to the poet’s wife. Also, in the poem ” The Sun Rising”, the poet has rebuked the sun because he thinks that the sun has disturbed them because they want to enjoy their love more time.
“Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,”
Use of love conceit
Conceit means a far-fetched comparison between two dissimilar things. John Donne is extra-ordinary for using love conceit in his poetry. In the poem ”The Sun Rising” he has represented two compasses as the two souls of the lovers. so, it is proved that John Donne is a love poet.
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Conclusion
In the light of the above discussion, we can say that John Donne is undoubtedly a love poet for his outstanding love poetry.
