The Anniversary by John Donne
Publication and Writing Date
- Publication: Originally published in Songs and Sonnets, a collection of Donne's poetry.
- Writing Date: Likely composed in the early 17th century, circa 1611–1612.
Meter
- The poem primarily employs iambic pentameter, with five pairs of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables per line.
Rhyme
- The poem has an end rhyme scheme, characteristic of Donne's lyrical style.
Stanza and Line Count
- The poem is structured into three stanzas.
- Each stanza consists of 10 lines.
Rhyme Scheme
- The rhyme scheme follows a couplet pattern, often AABBCCDDEE in each stanza.
Poet
- John Donne (1572–1631): An English metaphysical poet, preacher, and scholar, known for his intricate metaphors and exploration of love, mortality, and spirituality.
Key Facts
- The poem show the theme of eternal love, contrasting it with the decay of worldly power and beauty.
- It is an example of Donne's metaphysical poetry, marked by wit, conceits, and intellectual depth.
Background
- John Donne wrote The Anniversary as part of his metaphysical reflections on love and mortality.
- The poem celebrates enduring love that transcends time and physical death.
Themes
- Eternal Love: Love as a force that remains constant despite the passage of time.
- Mortality and Immortality: Contrasting the transient nature of life and power with the immortality of true love.
- Unity: The lovers are portrayed as royalty in their unique world, immune to external threats or betrayals.
Summary of "The Anniversary" by John Donne
In The Anniversary, John Donne celebrates the enduring power of true love, contrasting it with the transient nature of worldly achievements and mortal life. The poem unfolds in three stanzas, showing the theme of love's eternity against the decay of all other things.
First Stanza:
Donne reflects on the passage of time, noting that everything in the world—kings, beauty, and even the sun—ages and moves toward destruction. However, the love he shares with his partner remains unchanged and eternal, immune to the effects of time.Second Stanza:
The poet acknowledges the inevitability of physical death, where both lovers will be buried in separate graves. Yet, he asserts that their souls, united by pure love, will transcend the physical and live on after death, potentially growing even stronger in the afterlife.Third Stanza:
Donne concludes by proclaiming the uniqueness of their love, likening themselves to kings in a realm where no one can betray or harm them. He calls for them to love nobly, living out their reign of love on earth while adding years to their bond, celebrating their "second year of reign."
The Anniversary
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