John Donne Andrea Lemus Rafael Tinoco
Early Life John Donne was born January 22, 1572, in London, England. He was born into a catholic in a very anti- catholic period in English history. He entered Oxford and Cambridge, he never obtained his degree, probably because his refusal to compromise his Catholicism by swearing an oath acknowledging the supremacy of the king over the church. Later, he abandoned Catholicism and joined the official Church of England.
Career In 1610, John Donne published his anti-Catholic polemic “Pseudo-Martyr,” renouncing his faith. In it, he proposed the argument that Roman Catholics could support James I without compromising their religious loyalty to the pope. This won him the king’s favor and patronage from members of the House of Lords. His elaborate metaphors, religious symbolism and flair for drama soon established him as a great preacher. In 1617, John Donne’s wife died shortly after giving birth to their 12th child. The time for writing love poems was over, and Donne devoted his energies to more religious subjects. In 1621, Donne became dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. During a period of severe illness, he wrote “Devotions upon Emergent Occasions,” published in This work contains the immortal lines “No man is an island” and “never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” That same year, Donne was appointed Vicar of St. Dunstan’s-in-the-West and became known for his eloquent sermons.
Success Became dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (1621). A post he held until his death. Became one of the most popular preachers of his day. He published widely read sermons and religious meditations. Tough his days were over, John Donne’s fame was spreading.
Style Donne’s style is very unique because of how contradicting it is. He was a minister of the Anglican Church, he possessed a deep knowledge of spirituality which can be seen in many of his poems. However, as a person, he possessed a deep lust for pleasure and experience. Making him both a great spiritual and erotic poet. Which is nearly unheard of.
Legacy John Donne is often considered as one of the most loved English poets in history. He is known as the founder of the Metaphysical Poets. The Metaphysical Poets are known for their ability to make the reader gain a new perspective through paradoxical images, subtle argument, and imagery from art, philosophy, and religion using metaphors. Shortly before he died, he delivered a pre-funeral sermon, “Death’s Duel.” His writing was charismatic and inventive. His compelling examination of the mortal paradox influenced English poets for generations. Donne’s work fell out of favor for a time, but was revived in the 20th century by high-profile admirers such as T.S. Eliot and William Butler Yeats.
Death Be Not Proud Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe, For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee. From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie. Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well, And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then? One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.