A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany

Wilt thou be made a preacher,

And not be made a teacher?

Wilt thou be counted wise,

And never win the wise?

Wilt thou be just and feared?

Wilt thou be reverenced,

And not be reverenced for thy fear?

Wilt thou be poor, and rich?

Wilt thou be poor, and keep thy pride?

Wilt thou be rich, and hated?

Wilt thou be poor, and praised?

Wilt thou be poor, and have all men's love?

Wilt thou be rich, and have none?

Wilt thou be poor, and never complain?

Wilt thou be rich, and make others mourn?

Wilt thou be poor, and wise?

Wilt thou be poor, and a saint?

Wilt thou be rich, and a sinner?

Wilt thou be poor, and gentle?

Wilt thou be rich, and proud?

Wilt thou be poor, and keep the truth?

Wilt thou be rich, and live in falsehood?

Wilt thou be poor, and have rest?

Wilt thou be rich, and have no rest?

Wilt thou be poor, and have joy?

Wilt thou be rich, and have sorrow?

Wilt thou be poor, and have patience?

Wilt thou be rich, and be angry?

Wilt thou be poor, and have health?

Wilt thou be rich, and be sick?

Wilt thou be poor, and be patient?

Wilt thou be rich, and be impatient?

Wilt thou be poor, and be content?

Wilt thou be rich, and be discontent?

Wilt thou be poor, and have peace?

Wilt thou be rich, and have war within?

Wilt thou be poor, and pray?

Wilt thou be rich, and be proud?

Wilt thou be poor, and be humble?

Wilt thou be rich, and be arrogant?

Wilt thou be poor, and be meek?

Wilt thou be rich, and be fierce?

Wilt thou be poor, and be mild?

Wilt thou be rich, and be cruel?

Wilt thou be poor, and be merciful?

Wilt thou be rich, and be cruel?

Wilt thou be poor, and be a Christian?

Wilt thou be rich, and be a heathen?

 

This poem is a contemplative and spiritual reflection expressed in a series of rhetorical questions, focusing on humility, spiritual poverty, and the paradoxes faced by a preacher or Christian. This poem was written as Donne was about to go to Germany to preach.

 

Summary

The poem is composed of a series of questions directed toward Christ or the speaker himself, exploring the paradoxical experiences and spiritual challenges of a preacher or Christian embarking on a mission.

The speaker asks if he will be made a preacher without being a true teacher, highlighting the difference between simply preaching and genuinely instructing.

He questions whether he will be counted wise by others but never actually win their understanding or respect.

He wonders if he will be just and feared, and whether he will be revered for fear or for true respect.

The poem contrasts poverty and richness in spiritual and worldly senses: will the speaker be poor but proud, or rich but hated? Will he be poor and loved by all, or rich and without love?

The speaker reflects on attitudes and virtues—whether he will be patient or angry, meek or fierce, humble or proud.

He questions the nature of his faith and moral character: will he keep truth while poor, or live in falsehood while rich? Will he be a Christian in poverty, or a heathen in wealth?

The poem repeatedly returns to the paradoxes and contradictions faced in a spiritual journey: balancing suffering and joy, patience and impatience, rest and unrest.

Overall, the speaker expresses uncertainty about how he will be received and how he will conduct himself spiritually in the face of worldly and divine challenges as he goes to Germany.

The poem does not provide direct answers but instead highlights the complex and often conflicting experiences of faith, humility, and spiritual vocation that the speaker anticipates on his journey. It serves as a humble and earnest meditation on the difficulties of being a preacher and follower of Christ.

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Wilt thou be made a preacher,

And not be made a teacher?

Will you be called a preacher, but fail to truly teach others?

 

Wilt thou be counted wise,

And never win the wise?

Will people think you’re wise, but you never actually influence or gain the respect of truly wise people?

 

Wilt thou be just and feared?

Wilt thou be reverenced,

And not be reverenced for thy fear?

Will you be just and inspire fear?

Will people respect you, but only because they fear you, not because they genuinely honor you?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and rich?

Will you be poor in worldly things, but rich in spirit or something else?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and keep thy pride?

Will you remain poor but still hold on to pride?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and hated?

Will you be wealthy but disliked or hated by others?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and praised?

Will you be poor but still receive praise from others?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have all men's love?

Will you be poor but loved by everyone?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and have none?

Will you be rich but have no one love you?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and never complain?

Will you remain poor but never grumble or complain about it?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and make others mourn?

Will you be wealthy but cause sadness or sorrow in others?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and wise?

Will you be poor yet possess true wisdom?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and a saint?

Will you be poor and live as a holy person?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and a sinner?

Will you be rich but live in sin?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and gentle?

Will you be poor and gentle in your ways?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and proud?

Will you be rich and arrogant or proud?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and keep the truth?

Will you be poor but remain truthful and honest?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and live in falsehood?

Will you be rich but live a lie or deceitfully?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have rest?

Will you be poor and find peace or rest?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and have no rest?

Will you be rich but suffer unrest or inner turmoil?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have joy?

Will you be poor but still be joyful?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and have sorrow?

Will you be rich but be sorrowful?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have patience?

Will you be poor but patient in suffering?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be angry?

Will you be rich but often angry or upset?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have health?

Will you be poor but remain healthy?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be sick?

Will you be rich but suffer illness?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be patient?

Will you be poor but endure hardships patiently?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be impatient?

Will you be rich but restless and impatient?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be content?

Will you be poor but satisfied with your condition?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be discontent?

Will you be rich but unhappy or dissatisfied?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and have peace?

Will you be poor but live peacefully?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and have war within?

Will you be rich but experience internal conflict?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and pray?

Will you be poor but devoted to prayer?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be proud?

Will you be rich and boastful?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be humble?

Will you be poor and humble?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be arrogant?

Will you be rich and arrogant?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be meek?

Will you be poor and gentle?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be fierce?

Will you be rich and harsh or cruel?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be mild?

Will you be poor and calm or gentle?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be cruel?

Will you be rich and unkind or cruel?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be merciful?

Will you be poor but show mercy and kindness?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be cruel?

Will you be rich and cruel again (repeating to emphasize)?

 

Wilt thou be poor, and be a Christian?

Will you be poor but faithful as a Christian?

 

Wilt thou be rich, and be a heathen?

Will you be rich but reject faith or be a non-believer?

 

Analysis in Detail

This poem is a deeply introspective and spiritual meditation that John Donne composed at a pivotal moment—just before he traveled to Germany to preach. It reflects his internal struggle and his humble questioning of the complex realities of being a preacher and a follower of Christ.

 

Theme of Paradox and Contradiction

The poem is built around a series of paradoxical questions. Donne explores the contradictions inherent in the Christian life and the vocation of a preacher. For example, he asks if one can be both poor and proud, rich and hated, meek yet powerful. These contrasts reveal the tension between worldly conditions and spiritual virtues. Donne’s repetition of “Wilt thou be…” emphasizes how often spiritual truth is wrapped in paradox: the external and internal, the material and the spiritual, the perception and the reality.

 

Spiritual Humility and Self-Doubt

Throughout the poem, Donne’s speaker exhibits humility and self-doubt. He does not claim certainty or righteousness but instead questions what kind of Christian or preacher he will be. This humility reflects the Christian virtue of self-examination and awareness of one’s imperfections. Donne is aware that his journey to preach will involve hardships, misunderstandings, and spiritual challenges.

 

The Role of the Preacher

The opening questions about being a preacher but not a teacher hint at a central concern: preaching the gospel is not just about delivering sermons, but truly teaching and transforming hearts. The preacher’s role is complex, and success is not guaranteed by mere title or effort. Donne is wrestling with the responsibility of being a spiritual guide while remaining imperfect himself.

 

The Tension Between Earthly and Heavenly Riches

Donne frequently contrasts poverty and riches—not just in material terms but in spiritual dimensions. Poverty often symbolizes humility, purity, and closeness to God, while riches can symbolize worldly success, temptation, and pride. However, he complicates these symbols by showing that poverty can come with pride or complaint, and riches can come with sorrow or cruelty. This tension reflects the Christian teaching that true wealth lies in spiritual riches rather than earthly possessions.

 

Human Frailty and Spiritual Aspirations

Many of the questions reflect human frailty: impatience, anger, pride, cruelty, and discontent. Donne is honest about the difficulty of maintaining Christian virtues under pressure. The poem is not a simple declaration of faith but a realistic portrayal of spiritual struggle. The speaker hopes to remain faithful—humble, patient, truthful—but he recognizes how easy it is to fail.

 

The Journey as a Metaphor

The poem is framed around Donne’s “last going into Germany,” which can be seen metaphorically as a journey of faith and ministry. This journey involves risks, uncertainty, and potential opposition. The poem expresses both anxiety and hope: anxiety about how he will be perceived and what his spiritual state will be, and hope that he might succeed in being faithful to Christ in complex circumstances.

 

Rhetorical Power and Structure

Donne’s use of rhetorical questions is powerful—rather than telling the reader what he is, he invites reflection on what it means to be a Christian and a preacher. This technique engages the reader in the spiritual inquiry and conveys Donne’s internal wrestling. The repetition also creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like effect, reinforcing the meditative quality.

 

Summary:

In sum, “A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany” is a profound meditation on the paradoxes and challenges of Christian life and ministry. John Donne’s poetic voice is humble, questioning, and deeply aware of human weakness. The poem does not offer easy answers but invites a sincere reflection on how one might live faithfully amid contradictions, poverty and wealth, praise and suffering, humility and pride. It is both a personal prayer and a universal exploration of the spiritual journey.

 

Possible Exam Questions

What is the main theme of "A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany"?

 

How does John Donne use paradox in this poem? Give two examples.

 

What internal conflict does the speaker express in the poem?

 

Why does the speaker question whether he will be a preacher or a teacher?

 

What role does humility play in the poem?

 

Explain the significance of contrasting poverty and wealth in the poem.

 

Discuss the use of rhetorical questions in "A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany" and their effect on the poem’s tone and message.

 

Analyze the theme of spiritual struggle and human frailty as portrayed in Donne’s poem.

 

How does Donne explore the paradoxical nature of Christian life and ministry in this poem?

 

Explain the significance of the poem as a reflection of John Donne’s own spiritual journey and anxieties before his mission to Germany.

 

Examine the role of humility and self-doubt in shaping the speaker’s attitude in "A Hymn to Christ at the Author’s Last Going into Germany."

 

In what ways does this poem challenge conventional ideas about success and virtue in Christian ministry?

 

How might the poem be relevant to readers facing their own spiritual or personal journeys today?

 

Compare the portrayal of spiritual poverty and wealth in this poem with other works by John Donne or his contemporaries.