John Donne's Poetry

An unbiased examination of the poetry of John Donne that seeks to find what is admirable about his poetry, whilst keeping sight of common-sense judgements.

Wilbur Sanders (Author)

9780521099097, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 January 1975

170 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.22 kg

In this 1975 text, Dr Sanders approaches John Donne, beginnings with his arresting voice; individual and often puzzling. He asks of the live poetry and religious poetry alike, where is Donne speaking his own voice, when is he adopting a persona, what is the effect of his irony? And, he goes on, what affects us as true and fine when is Donne the prey of his own manner and self-irony; when is he conventionally amorous, cynical or pious? From this consideration Dr Sanders returns with a central body of poems which he considers great and unique. Many readers of Donne ask themselves uncomfortably whether their admiration is merely fashionable, or their dissatisfaction merely a reaction against fashion. Dr Sanders's calm examination proceeds from a disinterested wish to to find what is admirable, but not to lose sight of common-sense judgements exemplified in the past by Johnson.

A note on texts
1. 'Combinations of confused magnificence' - Donne and Dr Johnson
2. 'Heterogenous ideas' and 'unexpected truth' - Paradoxes and Problemes, Satyres, Elegies
3. 'Ingenious absurdity' and the 'more noble and more adequate conception' - Songs and Sonets I 4. 'Natural and new…though not obvious…just' - Songs and Sonets II
5. 'Analytick attempts' - Songs and Sonets III
6. Divinity, love and wonder - Holy Sonets, 'A litanie', Anniversaries
7. The religion of the natural man - Hymnes
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]