John Donne’s “Lovers’ Infiniteness” is a part of “Songs of Ourselves Volume 2, Part 1”, which is an anthology based on the themes of love and family. This poem consists of 3 stanzas each consisting of 11 verses. With the use of metaphors, imagery and partial rhymes, John Donne’s poem depicts a forlorn lover, who believes that one must love wholeheartedly, with nothing left behind for yourself.
The first stanza’s first two verses depict an immature, greedy lover, who demands everything for himself. “IF yet I have not all thy love, Dear, I shall never have it all ;” offers a sense of desperation, as if they cannot live if they don’t have their significant other under their wings. Although, as you go further into the stanza, you may sympathize with the character, as he insinuates that no matter how hard he’d try, he can’t force his lover to give every bit of her love to him. (“I cannot breathe one other sigh, to love, …show more content…
His willingness to work for a solution and not give up is seen in the last 3 verses: “But we will have a way more liberal, Than changing hearts, to join them ; so we shall Be one, and one another’s all.” This proves that he believes that cooperation is key to make their relationship work out to both their benefit.
This poem illustrates the reality of how love and relationships work – one will always feel like they’re the one being trodden on due insecurities or lack of emotional support. John Donne’s “Lovers’ Infiniteness” conveys that compromise is crucial to mend and save a relationship, and both parties of the relationship should be willing to work towards the same
The first stanza’s first two verses depict an immature, greedy lover, who demands everything for himself. “IF yet I have not all thy love, Dear, I shall never have it all ;” offers a sense of desperation, as if they cannot live if they don’t have their significant other under their wings. Although, as you go further into the stanza, you may sympathize with the character, as he insinuates that no matter how hard he’d try, he can’t force his lover to give every bit of her love to him. (“I cannot breathe one other sigh, to love, …show more content…
His willingness to work for a solution and not give up is seen in the last 3 verses: “But we will have a way more liberal, Than changing hearts, to join them ; so we shall Be one, and one another’s all.” This proves that he believes that cooperation is key to make their relationship work out to both their benefit.
This poem illustrates the reality of how love and relationships work – one will always feel like they’re the one being trodden on due insecurities or lack of emotional support. John Donne’s “Lovers’ Infiniteness” conveys that compromise is crucial to mend and save a relationship, and both parties of the relationship should be willing to work towards the same