Study Guide

A Hymn to God the Father Done/Donne

By John Donne

Advertisement - Guide continues below

Done/Donne

Donne ends the fifth line of each stanza with "done," a play on his last name. By inserting himself in the poem, the general concept of human sin and anxiety about death become a more personal issue. These aren't just mankind's sins, but perhaps also Donne's specific sins. Is Donne secretly confessing? Maybe, or maybe he just really likes his own name. Either way, if he intended to name himself, it's a clever bit of wordplay (which of course was a calling card of the Metaphysical Poets).

This is a premium product

Tired of ads?

Join today and never see them again.

Please Wait...