The Ecstasy: John Donne - Summary and

Critical Analysis
The poem The Ecstasy is one of John Donne's most popular poems, which expresses his unique
and unconventional ideas about love. It expounds the theme that pure, spiritual or real love can exist
only in the bond of souls established by the bodies. For Donne, true love only exists when both
bodies and souls are inextricably united. Donne criticizes the platonic lover who excludes the body
and emphasizes the soul.
The fusion of body and soul strengthens spiritual love. Donne compares bodies to planets and souls
to the angels that body and souls are inseparable but they are independent. According to the
medieval mystical conception, 'ecstasy' means a trance-like state in which the soul leaves the body,
comes out, and holds communion with the Divine, the Supreme or the Over-soul of the Universe. In
Christianity also, it denotes the state of mystic/religious communion with God. Donne uses the
religious and philosophical term with religious and philosophical connotations to build his own theory
of love. The poem is an expression of Donne's philosophy of love. Donne agrees with Plato that true
love is spiritual. It is a union of the souls. But unlike Plato, Donne doesn't ignore the claims of the
body. It is the body that brings the lovers together. Love begins in sensuous apprehension, and
spiritual love follows the sensuous. So the claim of the body must not be ignored. Union of bodies is
essential to make possible the union of souls. The poem is an unbroken series of narration,
argument and even contemplation. The poet begins the narration of the event with a typically
passionate scene as the backdrop for the lovers to embrace and experience the 'ecstasy'. The
setting is natural, very calm and quiet. The scenery is described in erotic terms: the riverbank is "like
a pillow on a bed"; it also is "pregnant". The reference to pillow, bed and pregnancy suggest
sexuality, though the poet says that their love is 'asexual'. Indeed, the image of asexual reproduction
of the violent plant is used to compare the lovers' only 'propagation'. It is springtime, and violets are
in bloom. To a Renaissance reader, the image of violets symbolizes faithful love and truth. It is
pastoral settings were lovers are sitting together, holding each others hand and looking intently into
each other's eyes. Their eyes meet and reflect the images of each other, and their sights are woven
together. They get a kind of sensation within their hearts and blood, resulting in perspiration and
blushing. They become ecstatic because their souls have escaped from their bodies to rise to a state
of bliss. When love joins two souls, they mingle with each other and give birth to a new and finer
soul, which removes the defects and supplies whatever is lacking in either single soul. The new re-
animated soul made up of their two separate souls gives them the ecstasy. But they cannot forget
the body, which is the vehicle, and container, cover and house of the soul. The lovers' souls leave
their bodies, which become mere lifeless figures. Finally, they are united into a single soul. Donne
tries to convey the readers that the foundation of spiritual love is the physical attachment; the eyes
serve as a gateway to the soul. Moreover, the physical union has produced an even stronger
spiritual bond that is far more powerful than each individual's soul. Donne refers the violet to tell us
that the fusion of the lover's soul produces a new "abler soul" like the violet, which doubles its vigor
when it is grafted together with another. Then the lovers are now able to seek the spiritual pleasure
rather than purely physical pleasure. In this union the two souls find strength like a violet when it is
transplanted. As such, the single united soul is able to grow with new energy. The united soul is
perfect, unchanging and also with new energy. The united soul is perfect, unchanging and also
transcends the "defects of loneliness", or the single soul. The two lovers now understand that true
love is the result of their physical attachment provoking spiritual union. Souls are spiritual beings.
They move with the help of the bodies. Body is the medium of contact of the two souls. Therefore,
the lovers turn to their bodies and try to understand the mystery of love. Body is the medium to
experience love. So spirits must act through bodies. If love is to be free, it requires physical as well
as spiritual outlets. The persona asks why our religious institutions have imposed blind thoughts
diving the body and soul. The poem is also a criticism of the conventional idea of love that supports
the separation of the bodies, and hence the souls. He makes an appeal to his readers to nourish
their souls through their bodies and reach towards the point of extreme joy, or 'ecstasy'. As a
metaphysical poem this poem brings together (or juxtaposes) opposites; the poet has also
reconciled such opposites as the medieval and the modern the spiritual and physical, the scientific or
secular and the religious, the abstract and the concrete, the remote and the familiar, the ordinary
and the metaphysical. This is largely done through imagery and conceit in which widely opposite
concepts are brought together.

PROTHALAMION
OR
A SPOUSALL VERSE MADE BY

EDM. SPENSER
Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) was an English poet
and poet laureate best known for his fantasy epic The
Faerie Queene

[Link] HONOUR OF THE DOUBLE MARIAGE OF THE TWO HONORABLE & VERTUOUS LADIES, THE LADIE ELIZABETH
AND THE LADIE KATHERINE SOMERSET, DAUGHTERS TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARLE OF WORCESTER AND
ESPOUSED TO THE TWO WORTHIE GENTLEMEN MASTER HENRY GILFORD, AND MASTER WILLIAM PETER,
ESQUYERS

AT LONDON
PRINTED FOR WILLIAM PONSONBY
1596
[Link] essay provides an explication of Edmund Spenser's poem "Prothalamion." A major figure in English literature,
Spenser wrote at a time when poets relied on the patronage and support of wealthy and powerful aristocrats. In this
wedding poem, he celebrates the double wedding of the daughters of an Earl whose patronage he sought, espousing
the beauty of the brides with classical allusions while skillfully inserting his own needs into the verse.

3. On first glance, Edmund Spensers Prothalamion is a tone-setting piece of poetry designated for
a celebratory event, the double wedding of the two daughters of Edward Somerset. Upon deeper
reflection however, the poem contains many references to issues the people of England dealt with
during that time period, such as a burgeoning nationalism, imperialism, and a patriarchal view of
sexual dominance over women. Upon ending each line of his poem, Sweet Themmes runne softly
till I end my song, Spencer invokes and appeals to the sense of nationalism among those in
attendance at the wedding. His words, in calling forth one of the symbols of his country bespeaks of
Spensers role as poet laureate, and pontificator of all things officially poetic. It is possible that
Spenser invokes the Themes not only for reasons of appeal to national identity, but also to use as a
symbol of assumed permanence that the wedding bold yields. Like their country, its national watery
symbol, and the marriage vow, there is a sense among the reader that these are lasting elements
blessed by the Gods. The entreaties of numerous Greek gods and goddesses are also an intentional
invocation or blessing for these unions from the highest authority. So there are elements of appeal to
nationalism, the permanence of the softly running Themes, and blessings from among the highest
divine beings for this happy event. In the ninth and tenth stanzas of the poem Spenser details the
conquest of virginity by the two grooms over their prospective brides. In writing of the grooms
Hercules two pillors, Spenser calls to mind intentionally phallic imagery. In his line, Whose
dreadfull name, late through all Spaine did thunder, Spenser writes of the plausible beginning of
what we now know as the British Empire, comparing it to sexual conquest. Joy have though of they
noble victorie, seems to refer to the almost violent taking of virginity by the two grooms.
4. Prothalamion, the commonly used name of Prothalamion; or, A Spousall Verse in Honour of the
Double Marriage of Ladie Elizabeth and Ladie Katherine Somerset,
[1]
is a poemby Edmund
Spenser (1552-1599), one of the important poets of the Tudor Period in England. Published in
1596
[1]
(see 1596 in poetry), it is a nuptial song that he composed that year on the occasion of the
twin marriage of the daughters of the Earl of Worcester; Elizabeth Somerset and Katherine
Somerset.
Prothalamion is written in the conventional form of a marriage song. The poem begins with a
description of the River Thames where Spenser finds two beautiful maidens. The poet proceeds to
praise them and wishing them all the blessings for their marriages. The poem begins with a fine
description of the day on which he is writing the poem. "Calm was the day and through the trembling
air/The sweet breathing Zephyrus did softly play." The poet is standing near the Thames River and
finds a group of nymphs with baskets collecting flowers for the new brides. The poet tells us that
they are happily making the bridal crowns for Elizabeth and Katherine. He goes on his poem
describing two swans at the Thames, relating it to the myth of Jove and Leda. According to the myth,
Jove falls in love with Leda and comes to court her in the guise of a beautiful swan. The poet feels
that the Thames has done justice to his nuptial song by "flowing softly" according to his request:
"Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song."

5. Prothalamion, the best spousal verses of all time, though less sensible than its sister poetry,
Epithalamion; is a lyrical benchmark running softly as musical rhyme. The entire verse is a pure
magic with the refrain Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song which symbolizes life on
earth to be steady in order to be able to listen to the eternal song. The artistic imagery, sweet
music and lyrical power make Prothalamion an unparalleled product of non dramatic
renaissance. The refrain brings a mode of five stresses which embraces the tonal quality of rivers
and water bodies.
Through the verse, Spenser reflects transparency and fine classical imagery. Beyond doubt,
Spenser charges the atmosphere with references to two great rivers; namely Thames and Lee.
The confluence is described in such a beautiful way that the rivers are symbolized as elements of
love. Wholly, the atmosphere of the poem brings in serene bliss, earnestness and joy.
The penning of the verse essentially must have begun from the Latin poems [Link]
A tale of two swanes & Lelands cygment cantio as models. However, Spenser brought in
conventional imagery such as flowers, birds, rivers and woods. Two swans, represented as the
daughters of Somerset, the brides. The swans embody purity, eternal bliss and contentment. With
more classical imagery, Spenser adds the fights at the Spanish Armada by the Earl of Essex,
Spensers birth and livelihood inLondon. The moon
(Cynthia), Venus,Nymphs, Cupid and Twins of Jove, Jupiter andLeda are other classical
images which Spenser uses are metaphors. He also talks about theMuse (Goddess of Poetry)
here meaning Spenser himself, to author a verse of merit to theEarl of Essex.
[Link]
[Link],Spensershouldnthavedonethatandhistorical
referencesdonotalwaysprovefruitfulandenjoyablewhenitcomestopoetry.
Moreover,Spenserfailstobringtheactualsceneofmarriageandinsteadconcentrates
[Link],thecontentbecomeslessfactualand
[Link],Epithalamionrevolvesaroundthe
lovelywedlockofSpenserhimself,thusmakingitmorerealisticandappealing.
Prothalamion, an epitome of soothing musical verses and a portrayal of elegance is embroidered
with bliss and purity. The artistic imagery, sweet music and lyrical power make Prothalamion an
unparalleled product of non dramatic renaissance
Why the Novel Matters- D.H. Lawrence
A brief summary .



This essay is an attempt of making people try to understand life as a succession
of bad and good feelings,sensations ,concepts, ideas, beliefs... The writer establishes
the elements of his literary genre as if he would describing the parts of his body- the
novel is alive and whatever is me alive is me.
In a fantastic way, [Link] shows his experience as a man and as a
novelist, using great comparisions between people from different areas of knowledge(
parson, philosopher,scientist) and their views of life. He is very provoking, because he
tries to impose his values and concepts without giving much importance to what the
others will think, he does not care about stupidphilosophies, he believes in what he
can touch and feel.
Finally, the writer defends that nothing is important but life and towards this
life philosophy, he supports his ideas and feelings present in a novelist soul/ body.
Some important topics of the essay are present below:


Dichotomy body x soul, mind, spirit ( superstition).
The power of the hand is compared to the power of the brain. Hand,
brain and mind are alive. Mealive (Whatever is me alive is me).
Paradise is in the palm of novelistshands- transcedental philosophy.
The body has knowledge because it is alive.
Tremulations upon the ether like radio messages = spirit stuff, which is
not more important than the living body.
Life philosophy: Nothing is important but life. Life is nowhere but in
the living.
The man, who is alive, is greater than his soul, or spirit, or body, or
mind, or consciousness.
[Link] writes that he is a man alive, and for this reason he is a
novelist ( superior to saints, scientists, philosophers and poets, who are
great masters of different bits of man alive, but never get the whole
hog).
Books are not life, but tremulations on the ether. The novel is the book of
life which can make the whole man alive tremble.
There is no absolute good, there is nothing absolutely [Link] things
flow and change. Things and facts change as the world changes.
Yesterday and tomorrow are different realities.
Integrity, individuality, me are useless things to define ego.
A character in a novel has got to live, or it is nothing.
To be alive, to be man alive, to be whole man alive: that is the point.
In life, there is right and wrong , good and bad, all the time. In the novel
, right and wrong is an instinct of the whole consciousness in a man,
bodily, mental, spiritual at once.
Life itself is the reason for living. The novel represents man alive and
mainly, it deals with life , body, soul ,mind ,hands ,brain, thoughts,
aspirations, words, knowledge... trying to explain this complex essence of
life.
2. D.H. Lawrence introduces his views of the novel to the readers by referring to the common thinking
among people that they are a body with a spirit or a soul or a mind in it. A proverb to this effect, namely,
A sound body in a sound mind has been framed. According to D.H. Lawrence, this idea of ourselves as a
body with a spirit or a soul or a mind in it is a funny superstition.
D.H. Lawrence asks why we should make a difference between the hand that writes and the mind that
directs the hand to write. He feels that the hand is as full of life, and that it learns and knows as many
things as the mind is and does. Our hand is alive upto the finger tips but the pen with which we write is
not alive.
D.H. Lawrence argues that every bit of our body, like the hand or the hair, or the skin is alive. As he says,
whatever is me alive is me. We are completely wrong in comparing any part of our body with a bottle or a
jug or a tin can, or a vessel of clay because while each tiny part of our body is full of life as the whole body,
a bottle or a jug is inanimate.
That every bit of our body is alive is what we know when one is a novelist. This idea is liable to become
unknown, to us if we are a philosopher, or a scientist, or a stupid person.
A person speaks about souls in heaven. But a novelist talks about paradise in the palm of our hand, or at
the end of our nose because he feels the existence of life during his life time undisturbed by what happens
to him after life.
According to Lawrence, life is the most important aspect of life. Anything that is living is certainly more
amazing than a dead thing. A living dog is better than a dead lion though a living lion is better than a
living dog.
D.H. Lawrence says that he is not simply a soul or a body or mind, or intelligence, or glands. He is the sum
total of all these and greater than all these. Since, possesses them within himself. He as a man alive, is a
novelist. So as a novelist he is greater than and superior to the scientist, the philosopher and the poet,
since they deal with only a part of mans body, whereas the novelist deals with the whole body.
Even the Bible is a great confused novel. It is not about one man alive but a long list of men alive. Even
God is another man alive. Since, he throws the tablets of stone at Moses head. D.H. Lawrence desires to
stimulate people in all possible directions. All things change but even change is not absolute the whole or
complete nature is a strong assembly of apparently incongruous parts, slipping part one another. Man
constantly undergoes changes and a man today is not exactly what he was yesterday and he will also be
entirely different tomorrow. Even the woman loved by a man constantly undergoes changes and he
continues to love her because of the change. In this novel, the characters do nothing but live. They have to
live but not according to any pattern, good or bad or volatile, because once they shape themselves into a
pattern, they cease to live and novel falls dead. Similarly, in life we have got to live or we are nothing.
The exact meaning of living is like the meaning of being. People go into the desert to seek God, or money,
or wine, or woman, or song, or water or political reform or votes. One can never predict ones choices in
life. It is as sudden as rain in summer and none can say when it will come. In this great confusion,
disorder and unpredictability we need a guide.
The novel tells us what a man alive does and when a man becomes a dead man in life. It tells us, for
instance, how a man alive loves a woman, and how a dead man in life courts her; how a man alive eats his
dinner and how a dead man in life munches it. It tells us how a man alive shoots his enemy and how dead
man in life throws bombs mercilessly at men, who are neither his enemies nor friends, and therefore
becomes a criminal.
The novel is the best guide which helps us to live, without getting ourselves unnecessarily disturbed by the
theory of right and wrong, good or bad, which are always there. Right and wrong are not constant but
relative. Since what is right in one case becomes wrong in another. In the novel, we see a man dying
because of his goodness and another person dying because of his wickedness. The idea of right and wrong
is an instinct generating from the consciousness of man affecting his body, mind and spirit.
The existence of anything, namely, body or mind, or spirit separately does not make life, but the
wholeness of man alive and a woman alive constitutes life. Only the novel explains the dead man and dead
woman in life, the novel is the one bright book of life and surpasses all other books, such as philosophy,
science and poetry.

3.A s a man needs change and continuous moving on by mental and physical ways, a novel needs the
characters to "live" in the story. If the patterns of "life" doesn't change and stays the same, life will cease to
live within the man, woman, or story.
Also depending on the scenario , life can be good, bad, right, wrong, life , or death. So to live your life and
the characters live their life in the story, something in their life or the surroundings involved with the
characters need to change whether it be good, bad, right, or wrong. With that said, the change decides
who lives the chosen life, and how it is to be lived in a physical way or in a novel so that the reader
understands the characters way of life, consistency, and acceptance of life.