Images based upon fabulous animalsa critical study in selected prose and poems of John Donne

Abstract EN

Imagery is the expressions of sense experience impressed upon the mind of a writer through touch, smell, hearing & taste.

An epithet, a simile, a metaphor or personification may create an image or an image can be presented in a phrase or passage conveying us something more than its face & value.

In the poetry of John Donne, the leader & the first metaphysical poetry of English literature, we find images dissimilar and yoked by cynical together.

This paper makes use of all the studies that deal with John Donne’s imagery in general.

Donne derives his imagery from the world of learning, books, science, and arts ; and, groups of figures coming from daily life, domestic life, sports and games, sea travel, commerce, king and state, metals and substances, and men and characteristics; also, those dealing with nature, the heavens, rivers and seas, and animals.

All these imageries describe the people in that area and satirize the flow of the human personalities.

The study analyses animals’ imagery in poetry as well as in prose that he derives from the Greek mythology and Renaissance folklore, imagery which is written in the bestiaries of that time.

His mythical imagery does not only describe and show his cynical point of view, but also express his innovative ideas such as love, time, death, religion as well as the flow of the human personality.

The conclusion shows Donne’s sympathetic feelings towards human nature ; he attempts to state his ideas which derived from the Elizabeth and Jacobean period.

His deep observance to the real and mythical animals shows his ability to apply their characteristics in describing people as well as his love and religion works.

Donne presents images not only as a decoration, but tries to show vivid images that add depth in meaning as well as clarifying his ideas.