Citation

Migan NE. Prose Studi. 2007; 29(3): 378-393.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Frank Cass & Co.)

DOI

10.1080/01440350701679206

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

When examined together as a topically coherent collection of verbal images and ideas, the prose works of John Donne provide a justification, a defense, and a clarification of one of the most enduring themes of Donne's spiritual life - martyrdom. The works are governed by a strain of apologetics which addresses what we might call his own 'passive suicide,' but insist nonetheless that readers deem him a certified Christian martyr. They constitute both a record of and a commentary upon Donne's own passion and suffering - an apology both for a life governed by the macabre specter of martyrdom and for the works which helped him chronicle this life. Maintaining that his works will provide succor to those who experience them, Donne resolves, ironically, to assume for himself the role of pseudo-martyr. Donne deemed himself a martyr throughout his life, but his was a new, literary form of martyrdom, where crafting imaginary versions of his own death served primarily to remove the previous excrescences of his ego which might have obstructed his path to glory. The prose works - when studied psycho-biographically - testify not only to the regularity with which he entertained the ideas of suicide and death, but also to his resilience in the face of dying. The collection is meant to function finally as unqualified proof of Donne's worthiness of martyrdom, and it exists as a ready-made testament arguing his case - even though he never died a martyr's death, he uses the prose works to eulogize himself as if he had.

Language: en

Keywords

Psychology; Martyrdom; Death; Self-sacrifice; Donne (John); Prose