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Analysis of 'A Hymn To God The Father' by John Donne.

 Introduction

Hymn to God The Father is a deeply introspective and reflective poem written by the metaphysical poet John Donne. In this poem, Donne grapples with his own spiritual struggles and seeks divine forgiveness and redemption. Let's look into the lines first.


The Text:

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.


Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.


I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

And, having done that, thou hast done;

I fear no more.



Summary

The poem is structured as a prayer, with the speaker addressing God directly. The speaker acknowledges his sinful nature and confesses his various transgressions, ranging from the trivial to the grave. Donne employs a range of literary devices such as puns, paradoxes, and metaphysical conceits to convey the complexity of his emotions and the depths of his remorse.

The central theme of the poem revolves around the speaker's relationship with God and his plea for forgiveness. Donne explores the tension between the speaker's unworthiness and the merciful nature of God. The speaker expresses a deep sense of guilt and acknowledges that his sins are numerous and far-reaching. He pleads for God's forgiveness and asks for a chance at redemption.

Throughout the poem, Donne reflects on the Christian concept of salvation and the role of Christ's sacrifice in granting forgiveness. He contemplates the paradox of sin and grace, recognizing that his sins are great but believing in the limitless capacity of God's mercy. The poem portrays a profound internal struggle as the speaker questions his worthiness and desperately seeks assurance of his salvation.

In the closing lines of the poem, Donne expresses a profound desire for God's acceptance and mercy. He implores God to cleanse him of his sins and grant him eternal life. The poem ends on a note of hope, as the speaker places his faith in God's love and ultimate forgiveness.


Analysis

Stanza 1:

"Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Which was my sin, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,

And do run still, though still I do deplore?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more."

In this stanza, the speaker begins by asking God if He will forgive the sin that marked the beginning of his transgressions, even though it was committed in the past. He acknowledges that it is indeed his own sin, even if it occurred before. The speaker then asks if God will forgive the ongoing sin he still commits and continue to feel remorse for. He recognizes his persistent failure to break free from this sin. The repetition of the line "When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more" emphasizes the speaker's awareness of the multitude of his sins and the ongoing nature of his transgressions.


Stanza 2:

"Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more."

In this stanza, the speaker asks if God will forgive him for the sin of leading others astray, causing others to sin as a result of his own wrongdoing. He expresses remorse for his actions and the negative influence he has had on others. The speaker also mentions another sin he initially avoided for a year or two but eventually succumbed to and indulged in for a longer period. He acknowledges his struggle with temptation and his failure to resist the sin. Similar to the previous stanza, the repetition of "When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more" underscores the speaker's recognition of the multitude of his sins and the ongoing need for forgiveness.


Stanza 3:

"I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

And, having done that, thou hast done;

I fear no more."

In this final stanza, the speaker confesses a sin of fear. He expresses his anxiety and fear about dying and perishing on the metaphorical shore, representing the end of his life. However, he seeks reassurance from God. He asks God to swear by Himself, assuring him that His Son (Jesus) will shine upon him in death, just as He does presently and has always done. This request reflects the speaker's hope for salvation and eternal life through the grace of Christ. The stanza concludes with a declaration that once God fulfills this promise, the speaker will no longer fear. He finds solace and peace in the assurance of God's love and salvation.

Overall, these stanzas explore themes of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and the fear of death. The speaker wrestles with his own transgressions, acknowledging his guilt and longing for divine forgiveness. He recognizes the ongoing nature of sin but places his hope in the redemptive power of God's love and the promise of eternal life through Christ.


Aspects and Devices

In Hymn to God The Father, John Donne employs various poetic devices to convey his emotions and explore themes of sin, forgiveness, and fear. Few of the aspects and devices used in the poem are as follows:

1. Repetition: The repetition of certain lines and phrases, such as "When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more," serves to emphasize the speaker's recognition of the multitude of his sins and the ongoing need for forgiveness. It reinforces the idea that forgiveness is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.

2. Rhetorical Questions: The poem is filled with rhetorical questions addressed to God, inviting reflection and contemplation. The speaker poses questions about the forgiveness of specific sins, expressing his remorse and seeking divine mercy. Eg: " Which was my sin, though it were done before?"

3. Paradox: Donne employs paradoxical statements to convey the complex emotions and thoughts of the speaker. For example, the line "When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more" contains a paradoxical notion that forgiveness is both complete and yet incomplete, as the speaker acknowledges the presence of additional sins.

4. Metaphysical Conceit: Donne's use of metaphysical conceit, a hallmark of metaphysical poetry, can be seen in lines such as "Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won/Others to sin, and made my sin their door?" Here, the speaker uses the metaphor of a door to describe how his sin has influenced and opened the way for others to commit sinful acts.

5. Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery to evoke a sense of the speaker's emotions and experiences. For instance, the metaphor of "spinning my last thread" and "perishing on the shore" conveys the speaker's fear of death and the uncertainty of what lies beyond.

6. Allusion: The poem alludes to Christian beliefs and concepts. The mention of God's Son shining at the speaker's death refers to Jesus and the hope for salvation through His grace.

7. Tone: The tone of the poem is deeply introspective, remorseful, and prayerful. The speaker expresses his guilt, longing for forgiveness, and fear while seeking solace and assurance from God.


These aspects and poetic devices contribute to the richness and complexity of the poem, enabling Donne to explore profound themes and evoke emotional responses from the readers.


Conclusion

Hymn to God The Father is a poignant and introspective poem that showcases Donne's skillful use of language and metaphysical themes. It explores the complexities of human nature, the dynamics of sin and redemption, and the longing for divine grace and forgiveness. Overall, these lines showcase the speaker's deep introspection, his recognition of his own sins, and his plea for forgiveness and redemption. He conveys a profound emotional journey and highlight the central themes of sin, repentance, and the transformative power of divine mercy.



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