Sweetest Love by John Donne

1. 1572-1631

2.  John Donne was born in London
 He is known as the founder of Metaphysical poets.
 He wrote religious poetry, love poetry and satires.
 Sweetest Love I Do Not Go” (1611) was written by John Donne for his
wife Ann Moore
 “Sweetest Love” is a lyric made up of five stanzas
 Rhyme scheme – ABABCDDC
 Through the poem, Donne expresses his love for his wife by
argument and reason

3.  John Donne begins the poem as if in
reply to his wife, saying that he is not
going because he is tired of her and
searching for a new love.
 he says, since he will die some day,
perhaps it will be best for his wife to
pretend that he has died. This pretence
will serve as a good preparation for her,
if the possibility ever arises
 From the beginning, Donne highlights
death as an important theme in his
poetry and an inevitable event in a
person’s life
 Donne uses the prospect of a journey
to help prepare his wife for his death

4.  Donne uses a conceit involving himself
and the sun
 He says that the sun sets in the evening
and returns to rise in the morning and the
sun does not possess desire and sense
like he does.
 The duration of the sun’s journey is also
much longer than the duration of his
journey. That is why his wife has no
reason to fear for him.
 The love and joy that he has will propel
and carry him and will also be his
motivation and inspiration during his
journey
 Donne makes use of the belief of old
astronomy which states that the sun
revolves around the earth. This
comparison showcases his knowledge .
of science
 the nature of the sun as a non-human
object allows Donne to highlight the love
and joy shared between a man and
woman. It is here that the beauty of a
human relationship lies

5.  From talking about the happiness of
human life, Donne then shows the
uncertainty of happiness lasting.
 Donne says that man’s power is so weak
that if good things are lost and bad things
happen, man cannot go back in time to
change the course of events.
 The sorrow and pain burdens man and he
surrenders to its weight. Man does not fight
to overcome the sorrow and pain but
becomes depressed and actually makes
the effect of pain and suffering stronger until
it overwhelms him.
 Donne reveals that he is aware of both
sides of human life: the good and the bad,
the happy and the sad. This serves to
illuminate man’s strength and weakness.

6.  Donne now expresses his love for his wife.
 He makes use of the device of hyperbole
by saying that when his wife sighs, she
sighs his soul away. Building on this Donne
goes on to say that when his wife weeps
his blood starts to decay.
 The negative reactions of his wife seem to
cause in him a corresponding suffering.
This testifies to the power and depth of his
love for her.
 Donne says that it cannot be that his wife
loves him as she says, if in her, his life
goes to waste. She is the best part of him
and he wants her to represent all that is
beautiful in his life
 The device of hyperbole contributes to
Donne’s lyrical effusion of emotion. The
tone becomes passionate and intense
 Here, Donne shows the power of love
and the oneness of the relationship

7.  Donne urges his wife to do away with her
negative thoughts of the future because
destiny may fulfil what she fears most
 Donne suggests a solution and tells his wife
that while he is gone, she should pretend as
if they are sleeping with their backs turned to
one another. Thus, even though she cannot
see him, she knows he is there.
 The poem ends with those lovers who keep
each other alive in their hearts will never be
parted
 The poem ends with an understanding of the
role of destiny in the life of man. Ultimately,
man has to face destiny with strength and
dignity
 In this way, Donne is able to rid her of her
worries and fears.

8.  Donne urges his wife to do away with her
negative thoughts of the future because
destiny may fulfil what she fears most
 Donne suggests a solution and tells his wife
that while he is gone, she should pretend as
if they are sleeping with their backs turned to
one another. Thus, even though she cannot
see him, she knows he is there.
 The poem ends with those lovers who keep
each other alive in their hearts will never be
parted
 The poem ends with an understanding of the
role of destiny in the life of man. Ultimately,
man has to face destiny with strength and
dignity
 In this way, Donne is able to rid her of her
worries and fears.