Well; I may now receive, and die by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Well; I may now receive, and die

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

Well; I may now receive, and die

Well; I may now receive, and die. My sin

Indeed is great, but yet I have been in

A purgatory, such as fear'd hell is

A recreation, and scant map of this.

My mind, neither with pride’s itch, nor yet hath been

Poison’d with love to see or to be seen,

I had no suit there, nor new suit to show,

Yet went to court; but as glanc’d at the bow

Or architecture, as a proof of wit,

Or else of luck, in miserable bit.

I have no sins, but—Oh!—might well have them,

Since he to whom I must account gives them.

But I wash’d them away with tears and groans,

And tears and groans turned marble into stones.

So now, I may receive, and he may give,

Let me not doubt, but I shall surely live.

 

Summary

Lines 1–2:

The speaker declares that he is now ready to receive divine grace (likely Holy Communion) and to die. He admits that his sin is great, but he implies that he has undergone some form of spiritual process or suffering.

 

Lines 3–4:

He describes his inner torment or repentance as being so intense that even the feared concept of hell would seem like a mere plaything or an incomplete representation of what he endured.

 

Lines 5–6:

He explains that his mind has not been driven by pride or vanity. He has not been corrupted by a desire for fame, admiration, or romantic love.

 

Lines 7–8:

He says he did not go to court to seek favor or to show off fancy clothing (a “suit”), yet he still went there. He only observed things casually, as someone might glance at an object (like a bow, perhaps part of an ornate display).

 

Lines 9–10:

He looked at architecture and ornamentation, not because of any serious personal involvement or ambition, but as passing curiosities—possibly symbols of others’ wit or fortune.

 

Lines 11–12:

The speaker says he has no sins now, but he easily could have had many—especially since God (to whom he must answer) is the one who allows or oversees human frailty.

 

Lines 13–14:

He explains that he has wept and groaned in sorrow, and through this emotional and spiritual labor, his hard heart (like marble) was transformed. The metaphor suggests deep repentance.

 

Lines 15–16:

Now that he has repented and is spiritually prepared, he is ready to receive God's grace. He ends with hope and assurance that he will live—both spiritually and eternally.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

1. Well; I may now receive, and die.

→ At last, I am ready to receive the sacrament (or God's grace) and then die in peace.

 

2. My sin indeed is great, but yet I have been in

→ Yes, my sin is truly serious, but I’ve already been through...

 

3. A purgatory, such as fear’d hell is

→ A kind of suffering so intense that the hell most people fear...

 

4. A recreation, and scant map of this.

→ Would seem like child’s play or only a faint sketch compared to what I endured.

 

5. My mind, neither with pride’s itch, nor yet hath been

→ My thoughts haven’t been driven by prideful ambition, nor...

 

6. Poison’d with love to see or to be seen,

→ Corrupted by a vain desire to look at others or to be admired.

 

7. I had no suit there, nor new suit to show,

→ I wasn’t seeking favors at court, nor did I go to show off fancy clothes.

 

8. Yet went to court; but as glanc’d at the bow

→ Still, I visited court, though only casually—just glancing like one might look at a bow.

 

9. Or architecture, as a proof of wit,

→ Or admired the building’s design, seeing it as a display of human cleverness...

 

10. Or else of luck, in miserable bit.

→ Or maybe just as an outcome of good luck—though none of it brought true happiness.

 

11. I have no sins, but—Oh!—might well have them,

→ I may not be sinning now, but oh! I easily could have sinned...

 

12. Since he to whom I must account gives them.

→ Since God, who will judge me, also permits human frailty.

 

13. But I wash’d them away with tears and groans,

→ But I cleansed myself of those sins through weeping and sorrow.

 

14. And tears and groans turned marble into stones.

→ My deep repentance softened my hard heart—turning it from cold stone into something new and real.

 

15. So now, I may receive, and he may give,

→ Now I am spiritually ready to receive God’s gift (forgiveness, grace)...

 

16. Let me not doubt, but I shall surely live.

→ I must not doubt anymore—I believe I will have eternal life.

 

Analysis in Detail

Overview

This poem is one of Donne’s Holy Sonnets, written during a period of intense religious reflection. It captures a deeply personal moment of spiritual readiness, likely before receiving the Eucharist (Holy Communion). The speaker reflects on his past sins, repentance, and eventual peace with God. The title line itself—“Well; I may now receive, and die”—expresses a profound moment of acceptance and surrender to divine grace.

 

Tone and Voice

The tone is serious, confessional, and contemplative, shifting from acknowledgment of sin to an expression of hope. The speaker’s voice is intimate and intensely self-aware. There’s a blend of humility and spiritual yearning throughout, coupled with emotional depth—especially in the imagery of suffering, repentance, and redemption.

 

Themes

Sin and Redemption

Donne begins with an admission of guilt: “My sin indeed is great”. Yet, he transitions from confession to a sense of cleansing and spiritual readiness. The poem charts a journey from sin to purification through suffering (“purgatory”), which prepares the soul for God’s grace.

 

Suffering and Spiritual Growth

The speaker describes an internal purgatory—so intense that it makes hell seem like a “recreation.” This metaphor suggests that true contrition and spiritual struggle can be more purifying than physical punishment. His suffering is not merely punishment, but a means of transformation.

 

Detachment from Worldly Vanity

Donne contrasts the spiritual life with the emptiness of court life. He says he went to court but was not involved in its vanities—“no suit,” “no new suit to show.” He merely observed, uninterested in fame, status, or attention. This detachment reflects a soul turning away from the world and toward God.

 

God as the Giver of Grace

The line “he to whom I must account gives them [sins]” shows Donne’s theological awareness of God’s sovereignty even over human frailty. However, the poem’s conclusion stresses God’s mercy, as Donne expresses readiness to receive divine forgiveness.

 

Repentance and Hope

The powerful image of “tears and groans turned marble into stones” implies deep, heartfelt repentance. His once-hardened heart (symbolized by marble) is now transformed through sorrow. The final couplet expresses quiet, confident hope in eternal life: “Let me not doubt, but I shall surely live.”

 

Imagery and Language

Purgatory vs. Hell: The spiritual suffering Donne describes is likened to a kind of personal purgatory—far worse than imagined hell. This intense imagery emphasizes the weight of guilt and depth of repentance.

Court Imagery: The brief depiction of court life—“no suit,” “architecture,” “proof of wit”—symbolizes worldly concerns. Donne minimizes their importance to show that he now values only divine matters.

Tears and Marble: A particularly vivid image, this metaphor suggests the miraculous change that genuine repentance can bring—tears are powerful enough to soften marble, representing the hardened human heart.

 

Structure and Form

The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, with 14 lines typically divided into an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines). Donne uses this structure to guide the emotional and spiritual journey:

Octave (Lines 1–8): Introduces the speaker’s state of readiness and reflects on sin and worldly detachment.

Sestet (Lines 9–14): Deepens the confession, describes repentance, and ends with hopeful anticipation of eternal life.

This structure mirrors the movement from turmoil to peace, from sin to salvation.

 

Religious Context

John Donne was an Anglican priest and a deeply spiritual poet. The sonnet reflects core Christian themes: the weight of sin, the reality of repentance, the futility of worldly pursuits, and the hope of salvation through God’s grace. It may have been written during or after a serious illness, a time when Donne often wrote about mortality and divine judgment.

 

Conclusion

“Well; I may now receive, and die” is a powerful spiritual confession that captures John Donne’s deep anguish over sin, his detachment from worldly distractions, and his sincere hope in divine mercy. The poem is emotionally raw, theologically rich, and deeply human—moving from guilt through sorrow to acceptance and trust in God. It stands as a quiet triumph of faith over fear and peace over despair.

 

Possible Exam Questions

What does the speaker mean by the phrase “Well; I may now receive, and die”?

 

Why does Donne describe his experience as a “purgatory”?

 

What worldly things does the speaker claim he has avoided?

 

What is the significance of “tears and groans” in the poem?

 

How does the speaker describe the court and his reaction to it?

 

Identify two images used in the poem to convey spiritual suffering.

 

What is the tone of the poem’s final two lines?

 

Explain how John Donne presents the theme of repentance and spiritual readiness in the poem.

 

Discuss the contrast drawn between earthly life (court) and spiritual life in the poem.

 

How does Donne use imagery of suffering and transformation to express his inner state?

 

Analyze how the poem reflects Donne’s religious beliefs and personal struggles.

 

What does the poem reveal about Donne’s attitude toward death and the afterlife?

 

“The poem moves from confession to redemption.” — Discuss this statement with close reference to the poem.

 

How does “Well; I may now receive, and die” reflect the religious and emotional intensity of the Holy Sonnets?

 

Examine the interplay of guilt, sorrow, and hope in the poem. How does Donne balance these emotions?

 

Explore the poem as a personal spiritual journey. How does Donne take the reader from despair to divine assurance?

 

Critically evaluate Donne’s use of language, structure, and religious imagery in this sonnet.

 

Is the speaker resigned to death or at peace with it? Support your answer with textual evidence.

 

What role does self-awareness play in the poem’s exploration of sin and redemption?

 

Does Donne view suffering as punishment or purification? Explain with reference to the poem.

 

Can the speaker’s detachment from courtly life be seen as a form of spiritual enlightenment? Why or why not?