Skip to main content

John Donne's "Canonization" : Ten Most Common Short Questions

"For God's sake hold your tongue and let me love."
John Donne (1572? - 1631)

1. What is the meaning of the word ‘canonization’?
The word ‘Canonization’ means formal recognition as a saint, an act by which the pope publicly proclaims the sanctity of a deceased person, by the Christian church. 
In Donne’s poem the ‘canonization’ for the lovers implies that the lovers are holy as the christen saints and that there love is worthy to be emulated.         
 2. What does ‘arts’ refer to?              
Arts’ here refer to studies or bearing.  
 3. What is a ‘phoenix’? What does Donne say 'prove mysterious by this love’?                                                                    
The ‘Phoenix’ is mythical bird.  It is a mystery how it perpetual its species, since there is never more than one bird at a time. It is believed that periodically consume it self in fire and rise renewed.
Similarly, the lovers prove me serious because in their perfect union they become one flesh, after the consumption of their sexual passion, rise reinvigorated.
4. What is  ‘plague bill’?
The ‘plague bill’ is the bill of mortality or list of deaths from the plague. These bills were issued weekly in Donne’s time. Donne may be referring to the plague of 1592-93.
5. What is meant by ‘stamped face’? 
‘Stamped face’ means literally, the face of the king which was always embossed on coins. Actually it implies a pursuit of wealth.
6. What is the meaning of the word ‘hearse’?
The word ‘hearse’ means the carriage the dead.
7. What does Donne means by ‘legend’’?
A ‘legend’ is the story of a saint’s life. Here Donne speaks of the lovers as saints, implying that the true lovers are like saints.
8. What is the ‘pretty rooms’ referred to?
The ‘pretty rooms’ are the sonnets for etymologically, the Italian word sonnet meant a room.
9. What is meaning of the word ‘invoke’?
The word ‘invoke’ means to call on a God or a duty as witness or for aid.
10. What is 'well-wrought urn holy-acre tomb'?
A well wrought urn is beautifully decorated vase designed to hold ashes. In Donne’s Canonization, the poet suggests that just as beautifully worked ases are no less attractive than holy-acre tomb.

Comments

Other Fat Writing

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Preface to Shakespeare": Points to Remember

E ighteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson ((1709-1784) is one of the most significant figures in English literature. His fame is due in part to a widely read biography of him, written by his friend James Boswell and published in 1791. Although probably best known for compiling his celebrated dictionary, Johnson was an extremely prolific writer who worked in a variety of fields and forms. Chief Critical Approaches of Dr. Johnson are: Johnson tried teaching and later organized a school in Lichfield. His educational ventures were not successful, however, although one of his students, David Garrick, later famous as an actor, became a lifelong friend.

Kinds of Poetry: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic

Introduction: Poetry is a form of literary expression that has captivated readers and listeners for centuries. It allows poets to convey their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a condensed and artistic manner. While there are countless poetic forms and styles, poetry can be broadly categorized into three main kinds: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Each of these kinds has distinct characteristics, purposes, and examples that showcase the rich diversity within the world of poetry. Kinds of poetry :  There are three great kinds of poetic writing: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic. Narrative poetry: Narrative poetry tells a story with a plot, characters, and a setting. It  is one of the oldest and most straightforward forms of poetry. It tells a story, often in a chronological sequence, using poetic devices to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Some key points about narrative poetry include: Storytelling: Narrative poetry focuses on storytelling, using poetic language to c...

Analysis of "Progress" by St. John Ervine as One Act Play

"Peace hath her victories No less renowned than war."- John Milton  (1608 - 1674)   Letters of State...Together with Several of his Poems ,  "To Oliver Cromwell" “Progress” by St. John Greer Ervine is a successful specimen of a one act play . It has not only a unity of theme (the abolition of war) the unities of time; place and action are also meticulously maintained. Thematically, “Progress”     is written against the background of the First World War in which thousands were butchered and many more became disabled for life. It left many mothers    childless and incredible number of widows and orphans. This insensible devastation has created diverse reactions in social thinking, and “Progress” by the Irish playwright St. John Greer Ervine is just the product of one of the strongest of these sentiments, namely the anti-war feeling of the post war modern age .  Through the basic conflict between two ideas- the point of view of ...