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Despite these challenges, Donne and Anne remained devoted to each other and went on to have twelve children together. His images of sickness, vomit, manure and plague reflected his strongly satiric view of a society populated by fools and knaves. His pieces are often ironic and cynical, especially regarding love and human motives. One example of this challenge is his Holy Sonnet X, “Death Be Not Proud”.

Even as he lay dying during Lent in 1631, he rose from his sickbed and delivered the Death’s Duel sermon, which was later described as his own funeral sermon.

In late November and early December 1623 he suffered a nearly fatal illness, thought to be either typhus or a combination of a cold followed by a period of fever.

During his convalescence he wrote a series of meditations and prayers on health, pain and sickness that were published as a book in 1624 under the title of Devotions upon Emergent Occasions.

His third satire, however, deals with the problem of true religion, a matter of great importance to Donne. He was buried in old St Paul’s Cathedral, where a memorial statue of him by Nicholas Stone was erected with a Latin epigraph probably composed by himself. He is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. Donne’s poetry also often featured paradoxes and irony, which added to the complexity of his work.

In addition to his use of literary devices, Donne’s writing was also characterized by his exploration of themes such as love, religion, and mortality.

Some critics argue that Donne’s use of complex language and imagery makes his poetry inaccessible to the average reader. Common subjects of Donne’s poems are love (especially in his early life), death (especially after his wife’s death) and religion.

John Donne’s poetry represented a shift from classical forms to more personal poetry.

He was appointed chief secretary to the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Sir Thomas Egerton, and was established at Egerton’s London home, York House, Strand, close to the Palace of Whitehall, then the most influential social centre in England.

Marriage to Anne More

During the next four years, Donne fell in love with Egerton’s niece Anne More.

His unique style and exploration of faith and spirituality have inspired countless writers and poets, and his life and career serve as a testament to his enduring impact on English literature.

Religious Beliefs and Themes

John Donne’s religious beliefs and themes are an integral part of his life and works.

This decision was met with criticism from some of his former Catholic colleagues and friends, who accused him of betraying his heritage and abandoning his faith for personal gain.

Another controversy surrounding Donne’s life was his marriage to Anne More. Blunham Parish Church has an imposing stained glass window commemorating Donne, designed by Derek Hunt.

Other notable secular poems by Donne include “The Sun Rising,” “The Canonization,” and “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning.” Through his secular poetry, Donne showcases his mastery of language and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience.

Prose Works

John Donne’s prose works are just as significant as his poetry.

In his poem “Batter my heart, three-person’d God,” Donne compares his soul to a besieged city, and asks God to break down its walls and enter.

Some critics have argued that Donne’s treatment of Anne during this time was less than ideal, and that he may have been emotionally abusive towards her.

In addition to these controversies, Donne’s poetry has also been the subject of criticism. It started a vogue of such monuments during the 17th century. Donne’s poetry often reflects his deep love for his wife and his commitment to his family, as seen in his poem “The Anniversary,” which celebrates their wedding anniversary.

After completing his education at Oxford and Cambridge, Donne began practicing law in London.