Batter My Heart By John Donne - 1418 Words

I picked this poem because I really like it and I find the imagery intriguing, but I knew I was not understanding all of what Donne was saying in the poem. I could tell that if I understood these particular lines, the meaning of the poem would be richer and more meaningful. I have achieved my goal, and think I have a better grasp on what Donne was getting at than I did before. â€Å"Batter my heart† is one of Donne’s religious sonnets with 14 lines. His rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCD EE, which is a bit different than what I am used to seeing in an English style sonnet. Donne seems to put his turns earlier in his sonnets, as well, more like a Petrarchan sonnet. English sonnets tend to put their turns before the couplet, whereas Petrarchan†¦show more content†¦The speaker uses the word â€Å"breathe† next. ‘Breath’ in the Christian tradition is how God gave life to man in Genesis, but though the word evokes that meaning, I do not know if that image is supposed to be the one we stick with. A particular meaning that might be interesting to consider that the OED catalogues is ‘to pant, to desire after,’ which would have been a contemporary meaning to Donne. It keeps with the gentleness of this series of words, but seems to show God’s motivations for pursuing the speaker, as well. â€Å"Shine† and â€Å"seek to mend† show that God is trying to be gentle with the speaker. It is this very gentleness that the speaker is critiquing because it has not worked. In lines 3-4, the sentence continues, â€Å"[t]hat I may rise and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend / Your force, to break, blow, burn and make me new.† First, the speaker juxtaposes â€Å"rise and stand† against â€Å"o’erthrow me, and bend.† If the speaker is to stand, presumably against sin, then he must be overthrown, and God must bend His force against the speaker. The construction of the list in line 4 exactly reflects the previous list in line 2. The speaker instructs to â€Å"break† instead of knock, to â€Å"blow†Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Donne s Batter My Heart1384 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Donne’s poem, â€Å"Batter my heart, three-personed God,† holds the central theme that he has rekindled his faith and love in God. By proving his faith to God, he hopes it will be enough to show God that he finally needs to be saved. Faith is not the only theme that can be found in this poem. Love is also prevalent in the poem. The theme of love shows his undying devotion to God, his back turned towards the enemy, and he is ready to move forward. The themes of faith and love are exhibited throughRead MoreAnalysis Of John Donne s Batter My Heart, Three Person I God 964 Words   |  4 Pages There are many religions in the world today. For example; Hinduism, Paganism, Islam, and Christianity are all over the world. 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The poem conveys a feeling of utmost ambivalence - at one point, Donne expresses his Read Moreholy Sonnet 101470 Words   |  6 PagesDONNE S HOLY SONNET XIV Batter my heart, three person d God; for, you As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend; That I may rise, and stand, o erthrow me, and bend Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new. I, like an usurpt towne, t another due, Labor to admit you, but Oh, to no end, Reason your viceroy in me, me should defend, But is captiv d, and proves weake or untrue, Yet dearely I love you, and would be lov d faine, But am betroth d unto your enemy