Elegy: To his Mistress Going to Bed, John Donne

Introduction: Welcome to the World of Donne’s "Elegy"

Welcome! In this chapter, we are diving into one of the most famous, bold, and controversial poems of the Metaphysical era: "Elegy: To his Mistress Going to Bed" by John Donne. This poem is a masterclass in persuasion, wit, and high-energy wordplay.

If you find the language a bit intimidating at first, don't worry! Think of this poem as a 17th-century "seduction song." Donne isn't just writing about love; he’s using every intellectual tool in his kit—geography, law, religion, and war—to convince his lady to undress. It’s part of Unit 4 Section B: Pre-1900 Poetry, where we look at how poets use conceits (extended metaphors) to explore complex human emotions.

What is an "Elegy"?

Today, we usually think of an "elegy" as a sad poem about someone who has died. However, in Donne’s time, a Love Elegy was modeled after the Roman poet Ovid. These poems were typically:

• Erotic and sensual: Focusing on physical love rather than just spiritual connection.
• Witty and rebellious: Often breaking the social "rules" of the time.
• Direct: Using the imperative mood (giving orders) to create a sense of urgency.

Key Theme: The Body as a New World

One of the most important things to look for in this poem is how Donne uses exploration imagery. To understand this, we need to look at the Context (AO3): Donne was writing during the "Age of Discovery," when European explorers were returning with stories of "The New World" (the Americas).

Donne creates a famous conceit where he compares the mistress's body to a newly discovered country. When he says, "O my America! my new-found-land," he isn't just being romantic; he is saying that exploring her body is as exciting and rewarding as discovering a whole new continent. This highlights the Metaphysical habit of linking physical desire with global politics and intellectual discovery.

Key Takeaway: The speaker views his mistress not just as a person, but as a vast, rich territory to be explored and "owned."

Analysis: How Meaning is Shaped (AO2)

1. The Use of Commands (Imperatives)

The poem starts with a series of demands: "Come, Madam, come," and "Unlace yourself." This creates a sense of immediacy. The speaker is impatient. This isn't a slow, polite request; it is a dramatic performance of desire.

2. The Religious Conceit

Donne famously blends the sacred (holy) with the profane (sexual). He describes the mistress as an "angel" and refers to her as a "hallow'd temple."
Why does he do this?
By using religious language to describe a physical act, Donne suggests that physical love is a spiritual experience. However, it also adds a layer of wit—he is being cheeky by using "church" words to talk about "bedroom" activities.

3. The "Clothing" Metaphor

As the mistress undresses, Donne describes each piece of clothing with rich detail. He compares her corset to a "breastplate" (war imagery) and her dress to a "shadow." He argues that clothes are like the "gay bindings" of a book—they are pretty to look at, but you have to open the book (take off the clothes) to get to the "real" story inside.

Context: Why was this poem controversial? (AO3)

It is important to know that this poem was not published during Donne’s lifetime. In fact, it was banned from the first edition of his collected poems in 1633 because it was considered too indecent. The authorities felt that the mixture of sexual desire and religious imagery was inappropriate.

Did you know? Unlike many poets who wrote "Petrarchan" poetry (where the woman is a distant, perfect goddess who never touches the man), Donne’s speaker wants physical contact. This was a radical shift in how love was written about in the 17th century.

Different Interpretations (AO5)

In your exam, you will need to show that there is more than one way to read this poem. Here are three common interpretations:

• Interpretation A: A Celebration of Mutual Passion. Some readers see this as a playful, energetic celebration of a healthy relationship where both partners find joy in physical intimacy. The wit and humor suggest a "game" being played between two people.
• Interpretation B: Male Dominance and Colonialism. Many modern critics point out that the language of "conqueror," "license," and "empire" sounds very aggressive. They argue the poem reflects a 17th-century male desire to "colonize" and control the female body, much like explorers colonized land.
• Interpretation C: The Subversive Artist. Some argue that Donne is actually making fun of traditional love poetry. By being so blunt and using such "un-poetic" ideas like geography and law, he is mocking the overly sentimental poets of his day.

Quick Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Thinking the poem is about a death.
Remember, in this specific Metaphysical context, an "Elegy" is a love poem, not a funeral song!

Mistake 2: Ignoring the "Wit."
Don't take the speaker too seriously. Metaphysical poetry is designed to be "clever." The speaker is trying to show off how smart he is to impress his mistress.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Context.
Always mention the "Age of Discovery" or "Metaphysical Conceits" when talking about the "America" metaphor. This is how you gain those AO3 marks!

Summary Checklist

• Speaker's Tone: Persuasive, impatient, and witty.
• Key Imagery: Exploration (America/New-found-land), Religion (Angels/Temples), and Law (License/Bonds).
• Form: Heroic Couplets (pairs of rhyming lines in iambic pentameter), which give the poem a driving, rhythmic energy.
• Core Message: Physical nakedness is a form of truth and a way to reach a higher state of being.

Note: For more on John Donne's style, you might want to cross-reference these notes with "The Flea" or "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell to see how other Metaphysical poets handle the theme of persuasion.