Blog #4

Batter my heart, three-personed God by John Donne

The speaker of this reverent poem is reflecting upon his devotion to God and the challenge of overcoming the devil. The speaker clearly gives himself to God endlessly, but struggles because he is "betrothed unto your enemy," (Donne, 840). The speaker talks about how God will break, blow, and burn him in order to make him new. He may coat himself in sin, but God will give him a clean slate every time. The speaker asked God to "divorce me, untie or break the knot again,"(Donne, 840). Through this metaphor, the speaker is asking God to break his terrible tie to the devil, in order to give himself fully to God. The speaker uses the word "imprison" to describe his desired relationship with God. Although this does not sound like the pleasant relationship we commonly associate with God, the speaker uses this to emphasize his never ending desire to be with God. He never wishes to be free from God; therefore, he wants to be imprisoned by Him. He wishes to be ravished and enthralled by God till the end of time.