Comparison of Poems

Comparison of Poems

Introduction

The poems selected for the comparison are by Donne's “Batter my Heart, Three-Personed God” and Hopkins's “God's Grandeur”. Both these poems contain the dominant themes of the God in different tones. This is the reason to compare and contrast these poems and to analyze the difference in the thoughts and attitude towards the God of the two poets belong to different centuries. Both these poets were English. John Donne (1572-1631) was a satirist, lawyer and a clergy man. He was a metaphysical poet and use of metaphors is the most prominent and distinguished feature of his poetry. His poetry contains elements of paradoxes, ironies and rhythmic structure. As a clergy man, his poetry reflects the themes of religion and his ideas about God. As compare to Donne Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) was a Roman Catholic and Jesuit priest. His poetry was completely immersed in the theme of religion and love of God. As compare to Donne his poetry contains imagery and different style then Donne.

Discussion

Donne's “Batter my Heart, Three-Personed God” is a poem that contains the element of secular poetry the element that was more common in that time. The poet discusses his believes on God and how he needs God in every aspect of his life. When he is captured by the enemies and how hard he needs to consider the help from the God to protect him from enemies and to make him succeed in his life. Donne also consider that it is only God who can assist him in all aspects of life, but he not only love him but also wanted to be loved by him in return. The means and metaphors use for expressing his love to god are quite sinful. He asked God to make him his prisoner, and to make him chaste by imposing punishments on him. The punishments he asked for are never considered to be associated with the God. He pleads that he wanted to be 'battered' and 'raped' by God as it is the only way in which it can be possible and he can become chaste(Donne, 2000, p. 177). He also associates various human ties with the God for example, 'divorce'(Donne, 2000, p. 177). This is not a usual term, but as for Donne this is the most characteristic feature if his poetry. His idea of embedding the love in the religion is very ...