Donne and W;T Essay

Question: Texts on their own are interesting but when you compare
them to other texts they become illuminating and dynamic.
All texts are fundamentally shaped by the prevailing values of their
context, however a comparative study of texts illuminates transcendental
concerns inherent to the human condition. John Donnes 17th century
metaphysical poetry and Margaret Edsons 20th century postmodern play
W;t both present the perspective that suffering can erode intellectual
supremacy and leads to a transition from a state of authority to a humble
disempowerment. Irrespective of their differing contexts and forms, both
Donnes Holy Sonnets, in particular If Poysonous Minerals and Death be
not proud and Edsons W;t demonstrates the supremacy of love over
scientific progression, illuminating the complexities through an intellectual
ego.
A comparison of these works reveals the significance of intellect as a
medium to understand the complexities of their world. Donne shows the
Jacobean era flourishing Protestant Christianity with death perceived as a
transitional phase between earthly life and spiritual fate. This theological
debate characterises the octave of his sonnets such as Death be not
proud as he refers to the idea that death is transitory, One short sleepe
past, wee wake eternally. Donne draws on the antithesis between
sleeping and waking to reflect on the Christian beliefs of the afterlife. In
his opening apostrophe, Death be not proud though some have called
thee mighty and dreadful, Donne develops a metaphysical conceit
through the personification of death to epitomise his valiant struggle to
find solace from his impending mortality through intellect. Donne creates
an argument to prove that his greatest fear has no power over him
through employing sardonic language of logic and wit to deflate deaths
image. As a common technique of metaphysical poetry, such wit
embodies Donnes intellectual confrontation of the concerns of his era.
The octave of This is my Playes Last Scene, functions in a similar
manner as the speaker argumentatively focuses on the unsettling nature
of death stating; My spans last inch, my minutes lastest point.
Furthermore, the Petrarchan form shows Donnes extreme control over
language which parallels his control over death and its complexities.
In contrast, the protagonist Vivian Bearing in the play W;t concentrates
around academia and intellect focusing only on academic success and
neglecting the importance of human emotions. As portrayed in Death be
not proud, a similar arrogance is reflected in Vivians response to her

diagnosis of terminal cancer. This is exemplified in the beginning of the

play as Bearing employs irony stating, I know all about life and death.
The use of a dual monologue that parallels that of Kelekain, is emblematic
of Bearings preoccupation with intellectual hubris and highlights her
literal and metaphorical attachment to the ubiquitous IV probe.
Additionally, Edson employs a direct intertextual reference to Death be
not proud as her instinctive application of intellect is exemplified by
calling upon the sensationalised punctuation of capital D- comma- thou
shalt die- exclamation point! The intertextuality of Death be, coupled
with the dramatic punctuation, serves to convey that the poems
profoundly simple meaning is sacrificed by her futile application of
intellect. Consequently, the intellectual hubris becomes inherent to the
human experience as it deprives her of spiritual consolation.
A comparative study of the poetic and dramatic treatment of redemption
and love reveals how suffering can erode this intellectual ego and result in
a connection with simple human truths. Within Donnes poem If
Poysonous Minerals the speaker questions Why should intent or reason
make sins, else equal, in me more heinous? Similar to Vivian, Donne
values knowledge above all else and thus the apostrophe quality portrays
Donnes intellectual demeanour as he attempts to seek knowledge
through questioning religious doctrine. However, the octave concludes
with a Volta which is paralleled with a shift in tone to a sense of shame
when Donne questions, But who am I, that dare dispute with Thee? /O
God. In this colloquy, Donne realises that his desire for knowledge is
futile and thus a connection to god then become the most important
thing. This shame is therefore contextually significant as it elucidates
Donnes transition to humble disempowerment as he regains a longing for
simple redemption. Such is furthered in the love poetry of Donnes
collections as it explores the simple nature of human relationships. In the
poem The sunne rising Donne speaks directly to the unruly sunne to
display that love is the most powerful thing on earth due to its ability to
transcend time. He thus suggests that love precedes all, concluding This
bed thy centre is. Therefore, Donne undermines intellectual
understandings and concludes that simplicity is more redemptive and
rewarding.
Comparatively, Edson suggests that it is only when immersed in this
suffering can the responder fundamentally learn the values of simplicity
and kindness. Whilst Donne forms a redemptive relationship with God,
Edsons context, wherein faith in science has come at the expense of
religion, highlights Bearings lack of relationships and human connection.
This is demonstrated through an allusion to Donnes poem If Poysonous

Minerals whereby Edsons use of dialectical flashbacks when the

projection of the poem is cast directly upon her references the common
human plight of intellectual supremacy that endures within post-modern
context. Yet, as the text progresses Vivian gains humility as she comes to
not feel so sure of [herself] anymore, resulting in the disintegration of
her pompous language, which is replaced by the simple statement, just
let it stop. Furthermore, as Bearings suffering heightens, she seeks the
supremacy of love to counter both her emotional and physical pain.
Bearing initially shows a resistance to his love, influenced by her secular
context, however she seeks to comprehend its immutability stating now
is a time for, dare I say it, kindness. Here, the resistant tone indicates
Bearings growing humility of the present, allowing her to appreciate the
enduring values of love and redemption.