Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1
Life
• John Donne (1572 - 1631),
the founder of the
metaphysical school of
poetry and the greatest
representative of the
metaphysical poets, was
born of a family with a
strong Roman Catholic
tradition. He was
educated at the Trinity
College, Cambridge.
2
Life
As a young man he became
secretary to Lord Keeper Egerton. In
1601 he eloped with the niece of
Lord Keeper and was imprisoned
by the girl's father. For several
years after his release, he lived in
poverty. But during this time he wrote
some of his most beautiful poems,
many of which were believed to have
been written to his wife. These were
known as his youthful love lyrics.
3
Life
In 1615 he gave up
Catholic faith and
entered the Anglican
Church and soon
became Dean of
Saint Paul's Church.
As the most famous
preacher during the
time, he wrote many
religious sermons and
poems. And these
were known as his John Donne’s House
sacred verses.
4
The Background of John Donne’s Age
Politics
• John Donne‘s life1572-1631spanned across two
dynasties- House of Tudor and House of Stuart.
The Tudors extended their power beyond
England, achieving the full union of England in
1542.The Tudor line failed in 1603 with the
death of Elizabeth I. Then James I inherited the
throne and began the house of Stuart, which
publicized the ideas of “divine right of kings”and
launched absolute feudal reign, which greatly
hindered the development of capitalism
Culture and Thoughts
And find
What wind
And find
What wind
And find
What wind
And find
What wind
What wind
No where
No where
Things invisible to see [9], 10. Line 12: There are two
explanations for it. One
says that the verb “ ride ”
Ride ten thousand days and nights [10], indicates the imperative
sentence; the other says
Till age snow [11] white hairs on thee, that “ ride ” means “ if
you ride ” .
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me[12]
No where
Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me[12] 12. Line 14: return'st:
return; wilt: will
All strange wonders that befell [13] thee,
13. befell: happened to
And swear [14]
Yet she
Will be
And last, till you write your letter [20], 19. Line 23: In the early
English, the world
Yet she “ though ” could be
used to introduce the
Will be subjunctive mood.
And last, till you write your letter [20], 20. Line 24: And her
constancy could only last
Yet she till you write her first letter.
And last: And (her
Will be constancy) will last