John Donne* *Pronounced like “done” A visual biography

John Donne Born Jan – June 1572 in London, England

Parents: John Donne & Elizabeth Heywood Welsh descent Was Warden in the Ironmonger’s Company Respected Roman Catholic Died when John (Jr.) was 4 years old Daughter of respected playwright John Heywood Great-niece of Sir Thomas More Married Dr. John Syminges (who had 3 children) months after husband’s death

Donne’s Early Life 3 rd of 6 children 3 sisters and father died by the time John was 10 Was educated by Jesuits which gave him a deep knowledge of religion

John Donne’s family were staunch Catholics in a country that was torn between the newly formed Church of England (Anglican) and Catholics

At the age of 12, Donne entered Oxford and later Cambridge but left without degrees because he wouldn’t take the oath of allegiance

In 1592, Donne entered Lincoln’s Inn, to study law. When his brother died of the plague, he began to question his faith.

While spending his inheritance, he took part in expeditions to Cadiz and the Azores (islands in the mid- Atlantic) in His biographer claims he also stayed in Italy and became fluent in the languages Cadiz, Spain

He became secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, keeper of the Royal Seal of England and had the promise of a diplomatic career

From , Donne served as an Member of Parliament (MP)

However, Donne fell in love with Sir Egerton’s niece, Anne More and they eloped. Her father had him incarcerated along with the priest who married them and the witness.

After his fall from grace, he supported his wife and growing family in the country

The family struggled financially; Donne practiced law and worked as an assistant pamphleteer. Anne bore him 11 (or 12) children. 7 survived.

After 16 years of marriage, Anne died five days after giving birth to their last child (a still born baby). Donne never remarried which was unusual for the time and for someone with such a large family to raise.

At some point by 1610, Donne left the Catholic Church and was in communication with King James I. The King urged him to become an Anglican priest.

Later Life Donne made good on the promises of his youth. He –Became a Royal Chaplain in 1615 –Became a Reader of Divinity at Lincoln’s Inn in 1616 –Received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Cambridge in 1618

Donne’s Priestly Service Donne served as an embassy chaplain in Germany He became the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral where his sermons drew large crowds

Donne commissioned this portrait a few months before his death in It was how he expected to look when he rose from the grave at the Apocalypse.

Renaissance Love Poetry Relied heavily on conventions: –Predictable nature of the love affair –Idealized qualities and appearance of the woman –Subservient role of the poet –Courtly language in which the poet addressed the woman

Donne’s Love Poetry He’s considered an innovator. He broke the conventions by –Direct, dramatic style –Colloquial language –Approach to the physical aspects of love –Broken rhythms of real speech –Giving women complex (and therefore real) emotions

Donne’s Writing In his early writings, he often takes the persona of the “randy young man”

Donne’s Writing In the second phase of his writing,[prob ably after his marriage] he sees love / commitment as a positive and often as a religious experience.

Donne’s Writing In this final period, after the death of his wife, his poetry turns to religion and death

3 Categories of Donne’s Love Poetry Lightly cynical “evaporations” Protestations of a rather conventional platonic nature Exalted and idealistic expressions of constant love