Donne's Progression

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Sebastian Castillo Mr. Pentecost English 3, Period 5 4 March 2013 From Night Life to the Priest Life John Donne’s progression of poems reflects the progression of his own life by displaying the development of his maturity through his characteristic stages from “Jack” to “John” Donne. John Donne portrays his progression in his maturity by displaying his two contradictory, metaphysical characteristics: Jack and John Donne. Earlier in his life and poetry, the now referred to John Donne was a philandering, partying, and wild man known by the name of “Jack.” The poems by Jack Donne, such as “Song” and “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” display his charming and philandering ways through his coupled relationships with several women. Donne in “Song” displays some of the most descriptive and charming words a man could ever give when parting from a woman: “But think that we/ Are but turned aside to sleep. / They who one another keep/ Alive, ne’r parted be” (423). Compared to the philandering and charming words of Jack, “John” Donne seems to be more serious and stern as it was known that in this latter part of his life that he entered the clergy. Moving from a wild, young individual, Donne donned the character of “John” who wrote in a serious manner in the later part of his life as seen in “Holy Sonnet 10”: Death be not proud, though some have called thee/ Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;/ … And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die” (427).Therefore, John Donne is a contradictory poet who—just like in his own poetry—displays the progression of his life, his developing maturity, and his metaphysical
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