Variety by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Variety

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

Variety

The world's an inn; and I her guest.

I eat; I drink; I take my rest.

My hostess, nature, does deny me

Nothing, wherewith she can supply me;

Where, having stayed a while, I pay

Her lavish bills, and go my way.

 

Summary

Line 1: "The world's an inn; and I her guest."

The speaker compares the world to an inn and refers to himself as a guest staying there.

 

Line 2: "I eat; I drink; I take my rest."

He states that, like a guest at an inn, he eats, drinks, and takes rest—engaging in the basic routines of life.

 

Line 3: "My hostess, nature, does deny me"

He identifies "Nature" as the hostess of this inn and says that she does not deny him anything.

 

Line 4: "Nothing, wherewith she can supply me;"

Nature gives him everything she can provide—she is generous and ensures all his needs are met.

 

Line 5: "Where, having stayed a while, I pay"

After staying for a period of time (his life), the speaker indicates that he eventually pays for his stay.

 

Line 6: "Her lavish bills, and go my way."

He settles the cost of all that was given to him—likely implying death or the end of his stay—and then leaves.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Original Line 1:

"The world's an inn; and I her guest."

Paraphrase:

The world is like an inn (a temporary lodging place), and I am just a visitor staying here.

 

Original Line 2:

"I eat; I drink; I take my rest."

Paraphrase:

I enjoy life’s basic comforts—I eat, drink, and sleep.

 

Original Line 3:

"My hostess, nature, does deny me"

Paraphrase:

Nature, who hosts me during my stay in this world, refuses me nothing.

 

Original Line 4:

"Nothing, wherewith she can supply me;"

Paraphrase:

She gives me everything she has to offer—whatever she is able to provide, she does.

 

Original Line 5:

"Where, having stayed a while, I pay"

Paraphrase:

After spending some time here (in the world), I settle my dues.

 

Original Line 6:

"Her lavish bills, and go my way."

Paraphrase:

I pay for the generous things I’ve enjoyed and then move on from this world.

 

Analysis in Detail

John Donne’s “Variety” is a short but deeply reflective poem that uses the metaphor of life as a temporary stay at an inn. This comparison immediately suggests transience and impermanence—the idea that human life is a journey with a definite beginning and end, and that the world is not a permanent home, but rather a place where one briefly sojourns. Donne identifies himself as a guest, emphasizing humility and the awareness that he does not possess the world, but merely resides in it for a time.

The activities he lists—“I eat; I drink; I take my rest”—represent the basic pleasures and necessities of life. These are not extraordinary experiences, but ordinary routines, suggesting that even the simple aspects of existence are gifts provided during his temporary stay. The repetition of short phrases mirrors the rhythm of daily life, giving a sense of calm contentment.

Nature is personified as a gracious hostess who denies the speaker nothing. She is described as generous and attentive, supplying him with all that he needs. This personification of nature reinforces the image of life as a comfortable, well-cared-for stay at an inn, and highlights the abundance of the natural world. Nature becomes a nurturing force, perhaps echoing divine providence, though Donne doesn’t directly mention God in this short piece.

However, the poem takes a slightly sobering turn in the final two lines. The speaker acknowledges that after staying for “a while,” he must “pay her lavish bills” and “go [his] way.” The “lavish bills” may represent the price of living—suffering, aging, responsibility, or ultimately death. The tone shifts from peaceful enjoyment to one of acceptance and inevitability. The idea of paying one’s dues suggests a moral or spiritual reckoning, a theme common in Donne’s poetry, especially in his later, more reflective works.

Finally, the act of “going [his] way” implies the end of life’s journey. There’s no mention of where he goes afterward, leaving the departure open to interpretation. Is it death? A spiritual afterlife? Simply the end of the metaphorical stay? Donne leaves this unstated, giving the poem a meditative quality that invites the reader to consider their own mortality.

Overall, “Variety” is a philosophical and contemplative poem that presents life as fleeting but full of gracious provision. It encourages gratitude for life’s simple blessings, while also reminding us of life’s temporary nature and the eventual need to move on. It’s a quiet reflection, wrapped in metaphor, with Donne’s signature blend of simplicity and spiritual depth.

 

Possible Exam Questions

What metaphor does John Donne use to describe life in the poem Variety?

 

How does the poet describe Nature in the poem?

 

What are the three basic activities the speaker mentions during his stay in the world?

 

What does the speaker mean by “pay her lavish bills”?

 

How does the poem reflect the theme of life’s transience?

 

Reference to Context (RTC)

“The world’s an inn; and I her guest.

I eat; I drink; I take my rest.”

a. Who is the speaker in these lines?

b. What is meant by comparing the world to an inn?

c. How does this metaphor shape the theme of the poem?

 

Discuss how John Donne presents the journey of life in the poem Variety.

 

Examine the use of metaphor and personification in Variety and explain how they contribute to the poem’s meaning.

 

How does the poem reflect John Donne’s philosophical and spiritual worldview?

 

In what way does the poem Variety present a balanced view of life’s pleasures and its inevitable end?