John Donne's Poetry

By J. Wilbur Sanders and Wilbur Sanders

Book Overview

In this 1975 text, Dr Sanders approaches John Donne, beginnings with his arresting voice; individual and often puzzling. He asks of the live poetry and religious poetry alike, where is Donne speaking his own voice, when is he adopting a persona, what is the effect of his irony? And, he goes on, what affects us as true and fine when is Donne the prey of his own manner and self-irony; when is he conventionally amorous, cynical or pious? From this consideration Dr Sanders returns with a central body of poems which he considers great and unique. Many readers of Donne ask themselves uncomfortably whether their admiration is merely fashionable, or their dissatisfaction merely a reaction against fashion. Dr Sanders's calm examination proceeds from a disinterested wish to to find what is admirable, but not to lose sight of common-sense judgements exemplified in the past by Johnson.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521099099
• ISBN13: 9780521099097
• Release Date: February 1975
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"