John Donne Poetry Analysis

The word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive poetic style. Definitions for wit include: “the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure” (Dictionary.com 2014) and “understanding, intelligence, or sagacity, astuteness” (Dictionary.com 2014).

In this paper I will unpack the main features of metaphysical poetry and explore the relevance of wit and conceit in relation to John Donne’s works. Furthermore, I will endeavour to make connections between John Donne, the person and John Donne, the poet. By analysing different poems I will draw on Donne’s history, poetic style, and era to ascertain whether Donne’s use of wit is a defect or limitation.

The poet, John Donne was born into a Roman Catholic family in London, England in

1572. Although not of the aristocracy, Donne’s family was prosperous and well-connected; his mother being “the daughter of playwright John Heywood” and “a great-niece of the Roman Catholic martyr Thomas More” (Poemhunter.com, 2014) and his father was a “well-to-do ironmonger and a citizen of London” (Jokinen, 2006). As a scholar Donne attended Hart Hall in Oxford for three years after which he attended the University of Cambridge for a further three years. As documented by many sources Donne however, did not obtain a degree from any of these institutions as he could not take the Oath of Supremacy required of graduates due to his Catholic faith (Poemhunter.com, 2014). Donne was admitted to the Thavies Inn legal school, one of the Inns of Chancery in London in 1591 and successfully spent his time during and after his studies on women, literature, pastimes and travel. It was during the 1590’s tha...

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... by it, if not live by love/And if unfit for tombs and hearse/Our legend be, it will be fit for verse” (Poetryfoundation.org, 2014). Donne has used “poetic wit in a serious and sincere tone to emphasize the immortality of terrestrial lovers through verse even if after death nothing is mentioned on their tombs” (Sarkar, 2014).

In contrast, Donne’s interest in wit could be branded as a defect and it probably was perceived as such in the late 16th and 17th century, when metaphysical poetry did not conform to the Elizabethan expectations. In a society where Elizabethan poets use of wit was “ornamental and decorative” (Sarkar, 2012), Donne’s “metaphysical flair of connecting the sublime with the commonplace” (Sarkar, 2012), would be deemed defective. Donne was a modern poet who used reality and philosophy to make sense in his world and those of his friends and patrons.