Batter my heart, three-person'd god

Definition

This phrase comes from John Donne's Holy Sonnet 14, where the speaker implores God to forcefully reshape his heart and soul. The term embodies the intense emotional and spiritual struggle of the speaker, reflecting Donne's complex relationship with God and the nature of divine love. It highlights themes of desire, spiritual conflict, and the longing for redemption, which are prevalent throughout Donne's poetry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The phrase 'batter my heart' illustrates a desperate plea for divine intervention, showing the speaker's recognition of their own inadequacies in achieving salvation.
2. In this sonnet, the 'three-person'd god' refers to the Christian Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the complexity of divine engagement.
3. The use of violent imagery in 'batter' conveys a profound internal struggle and an urgent need for spiritual rebirth and transformation.
4. Donne's poetry often explores themes of love and faith through personal experience, making his work relatable and deeply introspective.
5. 'Holy Sonnet 14' is significant not just for its thematic content but also for its innovative use of language and form, showcasing Donne's mastery as a metaphysical poet.

Review Questions

• How does the phrase 'batter my heart' reflect the speaker's emotional state in relation to God?
  • 'Batter my heart' reflects a profound emotional turmoil as the speaker feels unworthy and in desperate need of God's forceful love to reshape him. This plea signifies a willingness to undergo pain for spiritual renewal, emphasizing the tension between desire for divine acceptance and feelings of inadequacy. It shows how deeply intertwined love and struggle are in Donne's depiction of his relationship with God.
• Discuss the significance of referring to God as a 'three-person'd god' within the context of John Donne's religious beliefs.
  • 'Three-person'd god' signifies Donne's adherence to Christian doctrine regarding the Trinity. This reference underscores the complexity of God's nature as both a singular entity and a multi-faceted presence that engages intimately with humanity. The speaker's plea suggests that he seeks holistic salvation through all aspects of the divine being, reflecting the depth of Donne's faith and theological exploration within his poetry.
• Evaluate how John Donne’s use of violent imagery in 'Holy Sonnet 14' serves to enhance the themes of redemption and transformation.
  • Donne’s use of violent imagery in 'Holy Sonnet 14,' particularly through phrases like 'batter my heart,' intensifies the themes of redemption and transformation by illustrating the struggle between sinfulness and the desire for divine grace. This imagery portrays spiritual rebirth as a tumultuous process that requires active divine intervention. By presenting God as a powerful force capable of reshaping one's heart, Donne emphasizes that true transformation often involves pain and struggle, making the eventual redemption all the more profound.

Related terms

Metaphysical Poetry: A style of poetry characterized by complex imagery, philosophical themes, and a focus on the nature of love and existence, often associated with poets like John Donne.

Sonnet: A poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, often exploring themes of love, beauty, and mortality.

Divine Love: The concept of God's unconditional love for humanity, often depicted as transformative and redemptive in literature, especially in religious poetry.