Skip to main content

What are some ideas for a literary argument essay about religious themes in John Donne's Holy Sonnet 10 ("Death, Be Not Proud") and 14 ("Batter My...

The two poems “Death, Be Not Proud” and “Batter My Heart, three-person'd God” are part of a series of nineteen poems called the Holy Sonnets, published in 1663, two years after John Donne’s death. Donne is remembered among other Metaphysical poets of the time, such as George Herbert, who were often concerned with religious themes. Donne’s poetry was influenced by his own religious identity. In the period that he wrote these poems, he was in...

The two poems “Death, Be Not Proud” and “Batter My Heart, three-person'd God” are part of a series of nineteen poems called the Holy Sonnets, published in 1663, two years after John Donne’s death. Donne is remembered among other Metaphysical poets of the time, such as George Herbert, who were often concerned with religious themes. Donne’s poetry was influenced by his own religious identity. In the period that he wrote these poems, he was in a state of religious transformation, converting from Catholicism to Anglicanism and considering joining the priesthood.


In writing about Donne’s treatment of religious themes in these two poems, you may choose to compare the two sonnets. You may consider the specific topics each poem addresses—death and the individual’s relationship with God. Another option would be to explore the similarities in the structure of the sonnets and how the form influences meaning. In fact, the sonnet echoes the three-part structure of a form of meditation espoused by the founder of the Jesuit Order, 16th century Spanish priest Saint Ignatius of Loyola, an influence on Donne’s work and spiritual life.


An area worthy of exploration could be the distinct tones of each piece. The speaker of “Death, Be Not Proud” has a brash, almost bullying attitude in how he addresses death. By contrast, the speaker of “Batter My Heart, three-person'd God” has some of Donne’s characteristic boldness, but this time tempered with more humility and longing.


Donne’s Holy Sonnets provide ample opportunity to explore how his treatment of religious themes in the 17th century still has relevance for readers today.


*See links below for more in-depth analysis of these two poems.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...