Donne+and+Wit



Welcome to the second half of quarter one. Our unit will consist of a study of Donne poetry (the very poet studied by the main character of our play) and the play itself, //Wit//. Bring your poetry collection and copy of //Wit// to EVERY class.

Some materials you may need include: and the you need to fill in: due Wednesday March 27th (note you may hand in Questia before the holidays or as late as the Wednesday we return)

Lessons:

We will be learning 'just enough' about John Donne that we can relate to Vivian Bearing when she talks about him in //Wit//. The poetry is challenging and can be divided into pre-religious awakening (his love poetry) and post-religious awakening (his relationship-with-God poetry). Vivian largely studies the latter (the more serious of his work) but we will look at the former too because it appeals to students!

1. Learn how to read a 'difficult' poem 2. 'Meaningful Quiz' on Donne and his life 3. Various poetry activities from your poetry packet 4. Opening scene of //Wit// 5. Meaningful quiz on Edson and //Wit// //6.// various activities based on the play (irony, tableau, language choice) 7. Reading Like a University Student

Life and Death according to John Donne! (One interesting fact or idea per person please)

Death is but a pathway to eternal life, so it should not be feared. - Hugo S

John Donne, though interested, was very ambiguous towards the meaning of death. - Calvin G.

 As with most poets of his time, Donne was obsessed with death. Mesmerized by its mysteries, charmed by its allure, and convinced of the existence of an afterlife (as a result of christian theology), he finds himself at times unable to settle on a particular view of the subject. -Grace H.

John Donne trash-talks death in one of his Holy Sonnets, showing he views death as an enemy whose intimidation he must take away. -Jeffrey Lu

“When one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language.”

John Donne is saying that when death occurs, life can only be improved upon. - Justin K.

"One short sleep past, we wake eternally" John Donne conveys death is just a a nap to a peaceful world so we should not be scare of it. -- jellybean

"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15836#sthash.9xTlq6kn.dpuf" **Means that death is not mighty and dreadful, don't be scared of it. -Daniel L**

"There's nothing simply good, nor ill alone,/Of every quality comparison,/The only measure is, and judge, opinion." In this stanza from __Metempsychosis__, John Donne discusses the nature of all of the things people do in life. He claims nothing is or can be truly categorized as 'good' or 'bad,' but that all things and actions are judged based on/relative to those of others/that have already been done. -Keshav

IV: OH my blacke Soule! now thou art summoned. By sicknesse, deaths herald, and champion. John Donne begins this sonnet, stating that he was sick, but he knew death was upon him, because sickness is deaths' herald or official messenger, and also more sure of it he calls sickness deaths champion, not only is sickness the official messenger but sickness succeeds at being the ultimate cause of death according to Donne. Therefore when he becomes sick he knows he assumes he will die. Vivian being a scholar proficient in Donnes Holy SOnnets could take this line to mean that since sickness has shown up at her door, it must have been sent from death.

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He thinks people are not worthy of God but people are suffering too much on this earth (during the ages of war and black death) and if he could save them from their sufferings it will enhance his belief even more. The last sentence is saying that it’s better for him to repent his sins instead of God sacrificing himself on the cross for him and the people. - Ingrid

“And gluttonous death, will instantly unjoynt My body, and soule, and I shall sleepe a space…” (Excerpt from Holy Sonnet VI) From Holy Sonnet VI, Donne writes about how Death is the separation of your soul and your Earthly body. After a short sleep, your soul will re-awaken and will either lift you to heaven or sink you to Hell. Donne thinks that people are judged by their actions, and the weight actions have upon individuals' souls will decide your fate in the eternal life. Though he touches on the topic of life briefly in the beginning of the poem, Donne focuses mainly on the life after the one on this Earth. -Haley

--- During the "John Donne, Anne Donne, Undone" period, Donne despairs over his family's predicament and writes Biathanatos, in which he defends suicide. He writes (I believe this is from Biathanatos),

//"////Thou passest out of the world, as thy hand passes out of a basin of water, which may be somewhat the fowler for thy washing in it, but retaines no other impression of thy having been there."//

This quote can be interpreted as Donne questioning the purpose of his own existence. His failures in life since being arrested for marrying Egerton's wife have led him to hold a very somber view of the world. Some men are given life, pass through this world, and leave without making a lasting impact. These men, Donne may be saying, have little reason to live. - Jimmy ---

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so … One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/poets/donne.html?start=2 Donne, being a faithful christian, does not fear death, in fact, he welcomes death and the hope of life after death, eternal life. In these lines Donne is saying that people normally associate dying with fear and dread, however he disagrees. Because after you fall a sleep (die), you will wake up again and be in a place where there is no death. - Nathan Kappler

Life is all about love. Whether it be love of a woman or love of God. -Shannon Bailey

John Donne makes a point that you live on after death and that death isn't a true death -Ryan Richards

In my opinion if you lose your love to death, it is the closest you will ever come to death. Anne Donne died, on 15 August, 1617, aged thirty-three, after giving birth to their twelfth child, a stillborn. Seven of their children survived their mother's death. Struck by grief, Donne wrote the seventeenthHoly Sonnet, "Since she whom I lov'd hath paid her last debt."- Bryan D.