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The Holy Sonnet - Batter My Heart


             The setting of the Holy Sonnet 14, "Batter My Heart," is assumed to be set during late 16th to early 17th century England. During that time, England faced the same afflictions as the rest of Europe; political, economic, and social tension made worse by religious division (England in the 16th and 17th Century). John Donne was offered the position of Anglican priest and shortly thereafter he wrote the holy sonnet "Batter My Heart" among other poems. In "Batter My Heart" the speaker uses the violent action verb "batter" which indicates an imperative need and personal struggle with his relationship with God. This short essay will briefly touch the subject of theme and point out some of the unique uses of metaphors, paradox and allusions of the poet's writing.
             II. Themes.
             a. Love.
             i. It would appear that the speaker desires God in a way of carnal desires; he seems interested in marital and sexual form of love. However, that is not necessarily the case in the speaker's cry to God to be "ravished."Some Christians of today are as the Sadducees of Jesus' time in that they "are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven" (NIV, Matt. 22:29-30). The term "ravish" is synonymous to the term "enrapture" which means to fill with delight. It is used to describe a powerful and overwhelming emotional effect on someone such as "by the music; scenery that entranced us; a painting that ravished the eye; thrilled by their success; transported with joy" (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). Another word of significance that can be applied is the Hebrew word "yada" which means "to know" (Brown, Driver, Briggs and Gesenius). The highest level of "yada" can be obtained with intimate direct contact as with marriage, but when applied in context with this poem is suggests intimate and direct contact with God in prayer.


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