Analysis Of Woolf Donne After Three Centuries

Woolf 's " Donne After Three Centuries" is an appreciation piece. It is clear Woolf appreciates Donne 's work because he is not traditional. Donne writes prose, but not in a traditional, lyrical manner and Woolf notices this. Donne is also an intellectual writer, he does not write just of beauty or love. Donne writes of political issues, religion, and worldly problems while other writers would be terrified to do so. Donne was able to be honest with his poems, he was not afraid of the consequences of speaking against the crown or other things. He was also able to write specifically, his topics were not generalized to fit all. He would rather write a specific piece for a few people than about a broad topic that did not mean anything. Donne 's only consistency seemed to be that he was inconstant in his poetry. Woolf uses these interesting characteristics of Donne and his writing to demonstrate why he is so important, even today.

Donne does not write poetry in a traditional manner, he instead does things his own way. Woolf opens by describing Donne as one that "leaps into poetry in the shortest way" (20). This meaning he has a way to get the audiences attention immediately. He speaks to his audience in a direct manner and is not passive. In some of his poetry he is completely direct by telling his

She writes, "Remarkably, we do not merely become aware of beautiful remembered lines; we feel ourselves compelled to a particular attitude of mind" (21). Woolf is alluding to the difference in pure beauty which can be distracting at time, versus poetry that makes one think to understand. Donne did not fear criticism from others so he was able to be completely honest in his poetry. According to Woolf, Donne enjoyed facts and arguments. By writing about something argumentative, it can be assumed there were people that would disagree with Donne 's views but he does not seem to