Holy Sonnet V I am a little world made cunningly (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Holy Sonnet V

I am a little world made cunningly

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

I am a little world made cunningly

I am a little world made cunningly

Of elements, and an angelic sprite;

But black sin hath betray’d to endless night

My world’s both parts, and (oh!) both parts must die.

You which beyond that heaven which was most high

Have found new spheres, and of new lands can write,

Pour new seas in mine eyes, that so I might

Drown my world with my weeping earnestly,

Or wash it if it must be drown’d no more.

But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire

Of lust and envy burnt it heretofore,

And made it fouler; let their flames retire,

And burn me, O Lord, with a fiery zeal

Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heal.

 

Summary

The speaker begins by describing himself as a “little world” that has been cleverly made. This world is composed of both physical matter ("elements") and a spiritual soul ("an angelic sprite").

However, he acknowledges that both his body and soul have been corrupted by sin, which has led them toward darkness and destruction. He realizes that both parts of him—body and soul—must face death.

He then turns his plea to God, who is above all heavens and who has discovered "new spheres" and can describe "new lands." The speaker asks God to pour out "new seas" into his eyes—meaning an abundance of tears—so that he can drown his sinful world through weeping. If complete destruction is not possible through weeping, he asks at least for it to be cleansed.

But then he recognizes that his sinful state requires more than tears—it must be burned. He recalls how sins such as lust and envy had once set his inner world on fire, making it more impure.

Finally, the speaker pleads with God to send down a new kind of fire—not the destructive fire of sin, but the purifying and healing fire of divine love and holy passion. He desires to be consumed by a holy zeal for God and God's house, a fire that destroys sin but also brings healing.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

1. I am a little world made cunningly

→ I am like a small universe, skillfully created,

 

2. Of elements, and an angelic sprite;

→ Made up of physical matter (earth, air, fire, water) and a spiritual soul.

 

3. But black sin hath betray’d to endless night

→ But dark sin has ruined me, sending me into eternal darkness.

 

4. My world’s both parts, and (oh!) both parts must die.

→ Both my body and soul are corrupted—and sadly, both must face death.

 

5. You which beyond that heaven which was most high

→ You, God, who are above even the highest heaven,

 

6. Have found new spheres, and of new lands can write,

→ You know new realms and mysteries beyond this world and can describe them.

 

7. Pour new seas in mine eyes, that so I might

→ Let me cry rivers of tears, so that I might

 

8. Drown my world with my weeping earnestly,

→ Sincerely flood and destroy my sinful self with my deep sorrow.

 

9. Or wash it if it must be drown’d no more.

→ Or at least cleanse me with my tears, if total destruction is not your will.

 

10. But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire

→ But no—my sinfulness must be burned! Unfortunately, the fire

 

11. Of lust and envy burnt it heretofore,

→ Of sinful desires and jealousy has already burned and damaged me in the past,

 

12. And made it fouler; let their flames retire,

→ And made me even more impure. Let those sinful flames be put out,

 

13. And burn me, O Lord, with a fiery zeal

→ And instead, burn me with the holy fire of passion for You, Lord,

 

14. Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heal.

→ A passion for You and Your house (Your presence) that heals even as it consumes.

 

Analysis in Detail

Overview:

This sonnet is a deeply personal and spiritual meditation where Donne explores the inner battle between sin and salvation. It blends Christian theology, metaphysical conceits, and emotional intensity. Donne views himself as a microcosm of the universe, both physical and spiritual, and pleads with God to purify him through divine intervention.

 

Lines 1–2:

“I am a little world made cunningly / Of elements, and an angelic sprite;”

Donne begins with a metaphysical conceit—comparing himself to a “little world” or microcosm, a common Renaissance idea that humans reflect the larger universe. His body is made of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, water), and his soul is described as an “angelic sprite,” highlighting its divine and spiritual origin. The word “cunningly” implies careful, intelligent design by God.

 

Lines 3–4:

“But black sin hath betray’d to endless night / My world’s both parts, and (oh!) both parts must die.”

Here, Donne confesses that sin has corrupted both his physical and spiritual aspects, plunging them into “endless night”—a metaphor for eternal damnation or spiritual darkness. The parenthetical “(oh!)” expresses deep emotional agony. He acknowledges that both body and soul are doomed to die because of sin’s corruption.

 

Lines 5–6:

“You which beyond that heaven which was most high / Have found new spheres, and of new lands can write,”

Donne addresses God directly, praising Him as the one who exists even beyond the highest heavens. God has discovered “new spheres” (possibly referencing the newly explored scientific cosmos or heavenly realms) and “new lands” (symbolic of divine mysteries). This elevates God’s knowledge and authority over creation.

 

Lines 7–9:

“Pour new seas in mine eyes, that so I might / Drown my world with my weeping earnestly, / Or wash it if it must be drown’d no more.”

Donne pleads with God to give him the grace to weep profusely (“pour new seas”), so much so that his tears could drown or purify his sinful inner world. The first intention is destruction through sorrow (“drown”), but he also accepts cleansing (“wash it”) if full destruction is not what God desires. The sincerity of his repentance is key—“earnestly.”

 

Lines 10–12:

“But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire / Of lust and envy burnt it heretofore, / And made it fouler; let their flames retire,”

Donne has a revelation: not just water (tears) but fire is needed. His world has already been burned by the destructive fires of lust and envy, which made him spiritually dirtier. He now asks that these sinful flames retreat and stop consuming him.

 

Lines 13–14:

“And burn me, O Lord, with a fiery zeal / Of thee and thy house, which doth in eating heal.”

In the closing lines, Donne calls upon God to replace the corrupting fire of sin with the purifying fire of holy passion—a fiery zeal for God and His house (possibly referring to God’s presence or church). The paradox in “which doth in eating heal” suggests a fire that consumes (eats) yet heals at the same time. It may allude to the biblical concept of divine fire purifying and restoring rather than destroying.

 

Themes:

Human Duality: The sonnet emphasizes man’s physical and spiritual components and how both are affected by sin.

Sin and Corruption: Donne explores personal guilt and the deep stain of lust and envy.

Repentance and Redemption: The poem is a plea for cleansing—through weeping or fire.

Divine Intervention: Human effort alone isn’t enough; Donne calls on God to act directly in transforming him.

Purifying Fire: Fire symbolizes both sin’s destruction and God’s healing zeal.

 

Tone and Style:

The tone is intensely earnest, remorseful, and desperate, yet it turns toward hope in the end. Donne uses paradoxes (“eating heal”), metaphysical conceits (“little world”), and vivid imagery (weeping seas, burning fires) to convey deep spiritual longing and theological complexity.

 

Possible Exam Questions

Who is the speaker addressing in the poem “Holy Sonnet V”?

→ God

 

What are the two components of the speaker’s “little world”?

→ The elements (body) and an angelic sprite (soul)

 

What has corrupted both parts of the speaker’s being?

→ Black sin

 

What two metaphors does the speaker use for purification?

→ Water (tears) and fire (zeal)

 

What does the speaker mean by “new seas in mine eyes”?

→ Intense weeping as an act of repentance

 

Which sins are mentioned as having previously burned the speaker?

→ Lust and envy

 

What is the paradox in the line “which doth in eating heal”?

→ Fire (which consumes) is described as healing

 

What poetic form is used in “Holy Sonnet V”?

→ The sonnet (14 lines, likely Petrarchan/Italian form)

 

To what traditional belief about man does the term “little world” refer?

→ The Renaissance belief that man is a microcosm of the universe

 

What tone is dominant in the sonnet—celebratory, despairing, or pleading?

→ Pleading

 

Subjective / Essay-Type Questions:

Discuss the spiritual journey of the speaker in “Holy Sonnet V.” How does he express his guilt, repentance, and longing for purification?

 

Examine the metaphysical conceits used by John Donne in this sonnet. How do they reflect his religious concerns?

 

How does Donne contrast destructive and purifying fire in this poem? What theological ideas does this contrast reflect?

 

Comment on the imagery of water and fire in “Holy Sonnet V.” How do these elements contribute to the central theme of redemption?

 

“I am a little world made cunningly.” Analyze how this opening line sets the tone and structure of the poem.

 

Evaluate the role of sin and divine grace in the poem. How does Donne portray human helplessness and the need for God’s intervention?

 

What is the significance of the final line, “which doth in eating heal,” in the context of the sonnet’s spiritual plea?

 

In what ways does “Holy Sonnet V” reflect Donne’s characteristic style as a metaphysical poet?

 

How does John Donne combine intellect and emotion in this sonnet to convey his spiritual struggle?

 

Discuss the effectiveness of Donne’s plea to God. How does he use poetic devices to express repentance and transformation?