The Extasie Summary by John Donne

-

The Extasie

-        John Donne

        The poem Extasie was written by John Donne. He is the father of Metaphysical poetry. In this poem he expresses his unique idea about love. He believes that real love exists only when love is both physical and spiritual.

        In the first stanza of the poem two lovers sit on the bank of the river. Both are looking at each other and holding their hands tightly. Their hands are cemented and eyes are strung on a thread. This shows their physical intimacy.

        The poet compares the lovers to two equally powerful armies were their souls are waging war against  each other. In this war victory lies on both the sides. The two bodies remain motionless like ‘statues’ as their souls are hanging out. The language spoken by these souls can be understood only by true lovers. According to Donne love is both physical and spiritual.

        True love is the fusion of two pure souls. When both the souls combines together an abler soul is formed. This new soul is more abler and purer like a transplanted violet flower. A transplanted violet flower develops in strength, color and size. The abler soul is more refined than the other two souls.

        Both of them have ignored their bodies for a long time. We are a spiritual being and our bodies are the sphere within which we revolve. Our body is not a dross, but an alloy which helps pure metal to become more stronger. So for love making both body and soul are equally important.

        Fusion of physical  and spiritual love enriches the concept of love. The souls should not remain isolated from their body like the captive prince. Souls should return to their body and explore the mystery of love. Body is the book of love. With the help of this book the lovers can explore the great mystery of love. Thus the poet observes that love ripens in the soul.

        The title of the poem ‘Extasie’ is religious. It means the soul holds a communication with God. In this poem the communication is not between the soul and God but between two refined souls. Donne has used religious and philosophical beliefs to illustrate the physical and the material.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summary for the Play Strife by John Galsworthy

-
Image
                                                                                        Strife -        John Galsworthy Strife is a three-act play written by John Galsworthy. It is his third play and the play highlights the social issues. It was produced in the year 1909 at the Duke of York Theatre. The title “strife” has a biblical meaning which means bitter conflict. The theme in this play is capital and labour. The action takes place on 7 th february at the Trenartha Tin Plate Work. The factory workers involve in a prolonged strike. There arises a conflict between the company chairman John Anthony and the workers leader Roberts. Both are very stern and adamant to compromise. Anthony was the chairman for 32 years and he is determined to fight and win. In his thirty two years of experience he has won four strikes. He was certain that he could win the strike once more. The directors felt unfair about the stern nature of Anthony. The directors were aware about the outcome of this
Read more

Like an Old Proud King in a Parable A. J.M. Smith, Summary for BA Students.

-
Image
  Like an Old Proud King in a Parable A. J.M. Smith The Poem Like an Old Proud King in a Parable was written by the Canadian Poet, A.J.M Smith. This poem appeared in McGill Fortnightly Review in the year 1926. In this poem Smith narrates the story of an Old King who abandons his Kingdom to become a poet. This poem depicts the poetic career of Smith. Smith breaks some of the old poetic conventions and brings novelty into the society. A king is bored to forego the pleasure of the Kingdom. He renounces his kingdom, and leave his flattering courtiers and adoring wife. The king readily sacrifices the existing kingly life and moves to a lonely land, “a meadow in the Northern Stone”. Northern Stone is in the northern parts of Canada, a land of mountain, snow and forest filled with nature. The King rejoices to live his life along the meadow. In the meadow he feels like an uncontrollable swan, “the heart that controlled liked swan”. The King desires to give up his worldly life and aspir
Read more

SUMMARY OF THE ECSTASY OF RITA JOE

-
Image
   THE ECSTASY OF RITA JOE George Ryga’s , The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a play about a young Indian girl who comes to the city with great dreams. Her dreams get scattered as she enters the city Vancouver.  Sh e becomes one of the victims of the white man’s violence and control. The Ecstasy of Rita Joe describes the cruel life in the city for the native Canadians, as experienced by Rita Joe. This play explores the supremacy of the Whites towards the native Canadians. The protagonist of this play Rita Joe faces a world of prostitution and abuse. In the beginning act the magistrate reads over the charges levied upon Rita Joe. She is charged for prostitution, assault, stealing, vagrancy, shop lifting and for transmitting sexual diseases. The action of the play develops through the character of Rita Joe. Ryga uses flashback technique to narrate the story of Rita Joe.        Rita has lived in the reservation during her childhood days along with her sister Elieen and father  David Joe.
Read more