john donne context

Question 1

heliocentrism

Answer 1

Galileo proposed a model of the Universe with the sun, not the Earth, at the centre. He was forced to recant his views by the Inquisition in 1633.

Question 2

original sin

Answer 2

Humans are already condemned in the eyes of God, due to Adam and Eve committing the first sin, and leaving this as a mark of inheritance on all humans. Humanity cannot save itself - only God can offer mercy, grace and salvation.

Question 3

Neoplatonism

Answer 3

A school of philosophy deriving from Plato in the third century AD that was revived by Renaissance thinkers.

Stressed that the material world is a path to the spiritual realm - Neoplatonic lovers who sought to understand divine love could still appreciate the bodily beauty of their earthly lover, as it would further their spiritual quest.

Love, for Donne, reflects this - body and soul working together in tandem.

Question 4

potential reasons for donne becoming a practising Anglican

Answer 4

was it the only way for him to have a career, a genuine change of conviction, the influence of his wife, did he see Anglicanism as a middle way between the extremes of Catholic and Puritan beliefs, genuine way of avoiding religious conflict

Question 5

early life

Answer 5

• born into a heavily roman catholic family
• was a respected presence in the English ironmongers during the 16th century and a prosperous London merchant

Question 6

education

Answer 6

• educated privately and went to the university of cambridge to study law at only 14
• in order to get his degree, he needed to take the oath of supremacy, a requirement forced by the church of england
• due to his catholic beliefs , he refused to take it, thus voiding his chance to receive his award

Question 7

literary context

Answer 7

• went into the world of politics and diplomacy, working as a secretary to sir thomas egerton
• later became a member of parliament which was after his naval expedition against Spain in 1958

Question 8

religious shift

Answer 8

• converted to anglicanism and ordination as a priest in the church of england

Question 9

him becoming a priest

Answer 9

• accepted to accompany sir robert drury on a diplomatic mission in france in 1612
• in 1615 he was persuaded by king james personally to become minister
• became an anglican priest in 1615
• in 1621 he became the dean of st pauls cathedral using his position to promote unity and positivity within his immediate religious reach

Question 10

religious conflicts within the country

Answer 10

• family was catholic in a time when england was deeply divided over matters of religion
• queen elizabeth persecuted catholic and upheld the church of england established by her father

Question 11

controversy over his marriage

Answer 11

• in 1601 he secretly married a woman named ann more and he was imprisoned by her father
• the court of audiences upheld his marriage several months later and was released and sent to live with his wifes cousin in surrey

Question 12

final years

Answer 12

In 1623 Donne fell seriously ill with either typhus or relapsing fever, and during his sickness he reflected on the parallels between his physical and spiritual illnesses

-1631, Donne, who was fatally ill with stomach cancer, left his sickbed to preach a final sermon at court; this was published posthumously as “Death’s Duell” and is sometimes considered to be his own funeral sermon.