11/12 John Donne #11B

Holy Sonnet 14
"John Donne's work Holy Sonnet 14 follows the style of his other poems in it reads and has the imagery of a love poem. As the title suggests, however, this is not an ordinary poem but a love letter to God. In the first line, Donne addresses his words to the "Godhead." The language Donne uses suggest strong, passionate feelings bordering on sexuality, not what one would expect to a love letter to Christ. For instance, Donne even says about his devotion to Christ, "Except you enthrall me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me." This use of language like a lover conveys his strong feelings towards his faith. Donne's chosen worldly vehicle (the imagery, feelings like for a lover) to express a religious message fits in with the Renaissance.

Flea Bait
Two of John Donne's poems, "The Flea" and "The Bait," are similar is several ways, but also different. Both are love poems, from one lover to another (presumably to the man to the woman), and both have subjects of things in nature, a flea and fish. Both the poems express adoration and a desire to be together in one way or another. However, in these way they also differ. While "the Bait," does include something from nature, in the "the Flea," the flea is part of their love. The flea is almost put on an equal standard as the two lovers. Their love is intensified because of the flea. In "the Bait," likewise, their love is not affected by the fish, but the fish are affected by the lovers. Another difference between the two is the desires of the speakers. In the "the Flea," the speaker is addressing a woman that he wants to be with, yet cannot. The poem expresses his desire for her. Yet, in "the Bait," it is implied that the two lovers are already together. The speaker of the poem is not expressing his desire, but he is complimenting his lover. In these way, John Donne's poems are very similar, yet also different.