Holy Sonnet XVI Father, part of his double interest by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Holy Sonnet XVI Father, part of his double interest

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

Father, part of his double interest

Father, part of his double interest

Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me;

His jointure in the knotty Trinity

He keeps, and gives to me his death's conquest.

This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest,

Was from the world's beginning slain, and he

Hath made two wills which with the legacy

Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest.

Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet

Whether a man those statutes can fulfil;

None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit

Revive again what law and letter kill.

Thy law's abridgement, and thy last command

Is all but love; O let that last will stand!

 

Summary

Lines 1–2:

"Father, part of his double interest / Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me;"

The speaker addresses God the Father, acknowledging that Jesus (God’s Son) has a “double interest” or dual share in the Kingdom of Heaven. One part of that kingdom Jesus shares or gives to the speaker (humankind).

 

Line 3:

"His jointure in the knotty Trinity"

Jesus retains His part or share ("jointure") in the mysterious, indivisible ("knotty") Trinity — the union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

Line 4:

"He keeps, and gives to me his death's conquest."

Jesus keeps His divine place in the Trinity, but gives the speaker the benefit or victory ("conquest") of His death — that is, salvation.

 

Lines 5–6:

"This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest, / Was from the world's beginning slain, and he"

Jesus, referred to as the sacrificial "Lamb," brought life and blessing to the world through His death. He was destined to be sacrificed from the beginning of the world — a reference to divine foreknowledge.

 

Line 7:

"Hath made two wills which with the legacy"

Jesus made “two wills” — possibly referring to both His divine and human wills, or two testamentary wills (like legal wills). These include the promises or “legacy” of the Kingdom.

 

Line 8:

"Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest."

Through those wills, the Son (Jesus) and the Father provide believers (the “sons” of God) with a share or inheritance in their heavenly kingdom.

 

Lines 9–10:

"Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet / Whether a man those statutes can fulfil;"

Despite this gift, God's laws are so demanding that people still debate whether it’s even possible for anyone to fully obey them.

 

Line 11:

"None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit"

In truth, no one perfectly fulfills God’s law. However, grace and the Holy Spirit have the power to heal and restore.

 

Line 12:

"Revive again what law and letter kill."

Grace and the Spirit revive or bring life where the rigid letter of the law would otherwise bring death or condemnation.

 

Lines 13–14:

"Thy law's abridgement, and thy last command / Is all but love; O let that last will stand!"

God's entire law is summarized ("abridged") in His final command: love. The speaker prays that this final, loving will of God may be established and fulfilled.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

1. Father, part of his double interest

2. Unto thy kingdom, thy Son gives to me;

Father God, your Son (Jesus) has two rightful claims to your kingdom — and He shares one of them with me.

 

3. His jointure in the knotty Trinity

4. He keeps, and gives to me his death's conquest.

Jesus keeps His eternal place in the mysterious and united Trinity, but He gives me the benefits of His victory through death (salvation).

 

5. This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest,

6. Was from the world's beginning slain, and he

Jesus — the sacrificial Lamb — gave life to the world through His death. He was destined to die for us even from the beginning of creation.

 

7. Hath made two wills which with the legacy

8. Of his and thy kingdom do thy sons invest.

He made two spiritual “wills” that pass on the inheritance of His and your Kingdom to your followers (your spiritual children).

 

9. Yet such are thy laws, that men argue yet

10. Whether a man those statutes can fulfil;

But your laws are so challenging that people still question whether it's even possible for anyone to fully obey them.

 

11. None doth; but all-healing grace and spirit

12. Revive again what law and letter kill.

No one truly does obey perfectly — but your grace and Holy Spirit restore life where strict legal obedience (the “letter of the law”) would condemn us.

 

13. Thy law's abridgement, and thy last command

14. Is all but love; O let that last will stand!

Your law is summed up in your final command: to love. So please, let this final will — the command to love — be fulfilled and lasting.

 

Analysis in Detail

Overview

In Holy Sonnet XVI, John Donne contemplates the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the mystery of salvation. He addresses God the Father, meditating on how Christ’s dual inheritance—his divine right and his sacrificial offering—benefits humanity. The sonnet explores key Christian doctrines: the Trinity, Christ’s atonement, grace versus law, and the supremacy of love as God's final command. Donne writes with theological depth and devotional intensity, using legal and sacrificial imagery to communicate profound spiritual truths.

 

Themes and Structure

The poem follows the Petrarchan sonnet form—eight lines of an octave presenting a theological idea, followed by a six-line sestet that reflects on its implications. Thematically, the sonnet moves from divine inheritance (lines 1–8) to human inability and God’s merciful solution (lines 9–14). The central themes include:

Christ’s mediation and sacrifice

The mystery of the Trinity

The insufficiency of human efforts to fulfill God’s law

The role of grace and the Holy Spirit

Love as the essence of God's final command

 

Lines 1–4: Christ’s Double Interest

Donne opens by addressing God the Father, considering that Jesus, His Son, holds a “double interest” in the Kingdom of Heaven—both as divine (part of the Trinity) and as the Redeemer of humanity. Jesus keeps His rightful place in the Trinity ("knotty" signifying its mysterious nature), but also shares His victory over death with the speaker. The phrase “death’s conquest” refers to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, which overcame sin and death, offering salvation to believers.

 

Lines 5–8: The Eternal Sacrifice and Spiritual Will

Jesus is described as the “Lamb”—a symbol of sacrificial love and purity. Donne refers to Revelation 13:8, suggesting that Christ was “slain from the foundation of the world.” This points to the idea that God’s plan for redemption was set before time began. Jesus, as if drafting legal wills, leaves behind “two wills” that spiritually distribute the legacy of the Kingdom to believers. These wills might represent both His divine and human natures, or His roles as mediator and heir. This legal imagery conveys how believers are spiritually “invested” or made heirs of God’s kingdom through Christ.

 

Lines 9–12: The Limits of the Law and the Power of Grace

The turn (volta) in line 9 shifts from divine inheritance to human limitation. Donne notes that God’s laws are so difficult that people still debate whether it is possible for anyone to fully obey them. He answers plainly: “None doth”—no one succeeds. This blunt declaration reflects the doctrine of original sin and humanity’s need for divine intervention. However, Donne does not end in despair. He introduces grace and the Holy Spirit, which “revive again what law and letter kill.” This echoes Paul’s teachings in Romans and 2 Corinthians—that the letter of the law brings death, but the Spirit gives life. Donne emphasizes that grace restores what legalism destroys.

 

Lines 13–14: Love as God’s Final Will

In the closing couplet, Donne declares that God’s entire law is summarized in love—“thy law’s abridgement, and thy last command / is all but love.” This mirrors Christ’s teaching in Matthew 22:37–40 that all the law and prophets hang on the commands to love God and neighbor. The poem ends with a plea: “O let that last will stand!” Donne hopes that God's final testament—His command to love—remains active and enduring. It is a prayer for love to be the dominant principle in human response to divine grace.

 

Tone and Style

The tone is both reverent and intellectual, blending heartfelt devotion with sophisticated theological argument. Donne’s use of legal terminology (interest, jointure, will, legacy, invest) reflects both his background in law and the poem’s concern with inheritance—spiritual and eternal. The poem is dense with biblical allusions and metaphysical conceits, characteristic of Donne’s poetic style, where abstract theological truths are expressed through vivid, often surprising comparisons.

 

Conclusion

Holy Sonnet XVI is a profound meditation on divine inheritance, the insufficiency of the law, and the necessity of grace and love. John Donne interweaves rich imagery and doctrinal truth to show how Christ, through His death and divine nature, grants humanity a share in the Kingdom of God. The sonnet ultimately celebrates God’s love as His final and greatest gift to humankind.

 

Possible Exam Questions

Who is the speaker addressing in Holy Sonnet XVI?

– God the Father.

 

What is meant by the “double interest” of Christ?

– His divine right in the Trinity and His salvific role through death.

 

How does Donne describe the Trinity in the poem?

– As a “knotty” (mysterious and complex) union.

 

What does Donne refer to Jesus as in line 5?

– The Lamb.

 

According to the poem, when was Jesus “slain”?

– “From the world’s beginning.”

 

What are the “two wills” mentioned in the poem likely to symbolize?

– Possibly Christ’s divine and human wills, or His legal/spiritual testament.

 

What does Donne say about mankind’s ability to fulfill God’s law?

– “None doth” — no one can perfectly fulfill it.

 

What revives what the law and letter kill, according to the speaker?

– Grace and the Holy Spirit.

 

What is God’s “last command,” as stated in the poem?

– Love.

 

What plea does the speaker make in the final line of the poem?

– That God’s last will—love—should stand or be fulfilled.

 

Discuss the significance of Christ’s “double interest” as portrayed in Holy Sonnet XVI.

(Expect an answer discussing Christ's dual role—His divine nature and redemptive death—and how He shares the benefits of the latter with believers.)

 

How does Donne use legal and theological imagery to communicate spiritual truths in Holy Sonnet XVI?

(Look for explanations of words like “interest,” “jointure,” “wills,” “legacy,” “invest,” etc.)

 

Explain how Holy Sonnet XVI presents the relationship between law, grace, and love.

(A good answer will contrast human failure under the law with the restoring power of grace, culminating in love as the highest divine command.)

 

Examine the role of Jesus as both divine and sacrificial in the poem. How does Donne portray this duality?

 

What is the function of the “Lamb” image in the poem? How does it connect with biblical themes of sacrifice and redemption?

 

Analyze the use of paradox and contrast in Holy Sonnet XVI. How do these literary devices enhance its meaning?

 

How does the poem reflect key Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, Atonement, and Salvation?