To Sir Henry Wotton by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

To Sir Henry Wotton

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

To Sir Henry Wotton

Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls;

For, thus friends absent speak. This ease controls

The tediousness of my life: but for these

I could ideate nothing which could please,

But I should wither in one day and pass

To a bottle of hay, that am a lock of grass.

Life is a voyage, and in our lives’ ways

Countries, courts, towns are rocks, or remoras;

They break or stop all ships, yet our state is

Such, that though than a galliass we be less,

Our bodies are the ships, and though we must be

Seasick, yet there’s a pill called patience.

The world is but a carcass; thou art fed

By it, but as a worm that carcass bred;

And why shouldst thou, poor worm, consider more

When this world will grow better than before,

Why of the future dost thou grieve or hope?

As a grandchild in a dead body’s horoscope.

Thou hast no more than what the world did give

To thy frail body, for thy soul doth live

Of her own stuff, not seeking strength from thence;

And therefore will be her own residence.

But as the world serves men, so let it serve thee,

And as vice dies, let also virtue die;

Then, when all thoughts are in one thought refined,

The soul is a true virgin, not inclined

To any sex. Then she is wholly true,

And wholly false. That soul which can pursue

The temp’rate course, which neither seeks nor shuns

Death, nor desires to live, though lives and runs

At once to both. When sickness doth assail,

And joy itself cannot the heart avail,

Nor comfort medicine, nor a faithless friend

Can him recover, let him comprehend

What a pure virtue is in true despair,

Which is not hope, nor cowardly nor care.

This virtue doth the same in sorrow do

Which religion doth in joy, and so

Religiously, despair doth nothing add,

But doth substract the comfort of the bad.

Let her forget the world and hear me say:

“The sin is worse to wish thyself away,

Because God made thee, and thou art the same

That he made thee.” So to murder is a shame.

Despair is sacrilege. Thou must not so

Offend thyself nor God, nor yet forego

The peace which virtue gives; since virtue’s prize

Is neither wealth nor fame, nor yet the wise

In learning, but the soul’s rest and content,

Which even with want itself can rest content.

 

Summary

Lines 1–2

The speaker begins by saying that letters are more intimate than kisses because they allow souls to connect across distances. They serve as a comforting form of communication between friends who are far apart.

 

Lines 3–6

The speaker admits that letters ease the boredom and hardship of life. Without them, he would feel like he was withering away, comparing himself to a dried blade of grass or a piece of hay—something lifeless and forgotten.

 

Lines 7–10

He compares life to a sea voyage, where various places like countries, courts, and towns are like rocks or obstacles (remoras) that can damage or stop ships (lives). Though humans are smaller and weaker than great ships (like galleasses), we must endure life’s seasickness—its difficulties—by relying on patience.

 

Lines 11–14

The world is described as a dead body (a carcass). People feed on it like worms, implying it has no true nourishment. So, he asks why people should worry or hope about making the world better when it is inherently flawed.

 

Lines 15–18

The speaker argues that one should not grieve for the future or hope in vain, since the soul is independent of the world. The soul lives by its own essence and does not need anything from the physical world. Therefore, the soul should be self-sufficient.

 

Lines 19–22

The world should be seen as a tool, not a master. One should treat virtue and vice alike, not chasing either desperately. When all thoughts are reduced to a single focused thought, the soul becomes pure and undistracted—not pulled by desires.

 

Lines 23–26

In this purified state, the soul is neither male nor female, fully true and fully false in a philosophical sense. A wise soul follows a balanced path, not fearing death, not clinging to life, but continuing steadily through both.

 

Lines 27–30

When a person is sick and neither joy nor medicine nor friends can help, he should turn inward and recognize the power of true despair—a spiritual despair that is neither based on hope nor fear, but is peaceful and accepting.

 

Lines 31–34

This form of religious despair removes the false comforts of the world, just as religion brings peace during joy. It doesn’t add emotional reactions but subtracts distractions, allowing the person to rest in clarity.

 

Lines 35–36

The soul should turn away from the world and listen to this truth: wanting to die is a sin, because God created life, and rejecting it is an offense against both oneself and God.

 

Lines 37–40

Despair that leads to a desire for death is called sacrilege. The soul should not abandon peace or virtue. Virtue’s reward is not money, fame, or worldly wisdom, but the peace and contentment it brings.

 

Lines 41–42

This inner contentment allows one to be at peace even in poverty or need. Virtue brings a restful soul, which is the truest form of wealth.

 

Paraphrase

1–2

Letters do more than kisses—they allow souls to connect and communicate. Through them, distant friends can stay in touch.

 

3–6

Letters help ease the dullness and burden of life. Without them, I’d have no joy or creativity—I’d wither quickly, becoming as lifeless as dry grass.

 

7–10

Life is like a sea voyage. Places like kingdoms, cities, and courts are like obstacles or sea creatures that stop ships. Our lives are like small boats, and although we must deal with life’s discomforts (like seasickness), we have a remedy called patience.

 

11–14

The world is like a dead body. You survive off it like a worm feeding on that body. So why worry about making this world better? It’s already lifeless and corrupt.

 

15–18

Why be anxious or hopeful about the future? That’s like being a grandchild hoping for good fortune in the horoscope of a dead body. You only have what the world gave your physical body. Your soul, on the other hand, lives on its own and doesn’t rely on the world. It lives independently.

 

19–22

So, treat the world as a servant, not a master. Don’t cling to virtue or vice in an obsessive way. When your thoughts are all focused and pure, your soul becomes untainted—without desire or distraction.

 

23–26

At that point, the soul is not attracted to any particular thing. It’s like being genderless—not pulled by any strong desires. The soul is steady—it doesn't seek death, nor does it cling to life. It moves forward calmly through both.

 

27–30

When you’re truly sick, and no joy, medicine, or friend can help, consider the power of true despair—not a hopeless despair, but one that quietly accepts everything. It’s a kind of spiritual clarity.

 

31–34

This pure despair does what religion does during joyful times—it gives you perspective. It doesn’t add anything false or temporary. Instead, it removes false comforts.

 

35–36

Forget the distractions of the world, and hear this: wanting to die is worse than sin—it’s rejecting the life that God gave you.

 

37–40

To despair in this way is a kind of blasphemy. Don’t turn against yourself or God. Don’t give up the peace that virtue offers. That peace doesn’t come from wealth, fame, or intelligence.

 

41–42

The reward of virtue is peace within the soul. Even in hardship or poverty, a virtuous soul is content.

 

Analysis in Detail

John Donne wrote this verse epistle—part poem, part letter—to his friend Sir Henry Wotton, a diplomat and poet. The tone is deeply introspective, blending Donne’s characteristic wit with spiritual seriousness. Written in the early 17th century, it reflects Donne’s growing preoccupation with religion, mortality, and the transient nature of worldly life.

 

Tone and Voice

The tone begins warmly and affectionately, celebrating the intimacy of letters. It then shifts into a more meditative and philosophical voice as Donne dives into discussions about life’s suffering, the vanity of the world, the independence of the soul, and the proper Christian response to despair.

Donne uses the first person, addressing Wotton directly, which gives the piece a conversational, personal feel. However, the voice soon becomes universal—conveying spiritual insights meant for any thoughtful reader.

 

Themes

1. Friendship and Communication

The poem opens by valuing the power of letters: “Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls.” Donne elevates correspondence beyond mere affection, portraying it as a spiritual exchange. Friendship, for Donne, is not just emotional but intellectual and soulful.

 

2. Life as a Voyage

Donne employs the classical metaphor of life as a sea voyage. Cities, courts, and nations are like dangers on the sea, threatening to wreck the soul. The world becomes a treacherous ocean, and humans are likened to small, fragile vessels. This metaphor underlines life’s uncertainty and need for spiritual navigation.

 

3. Decay of the World

He calls the world a "carcass"—a shocking and graphic image implying that the world is already spiritually dead. Humans, like worms, feed on this decay, emphasizing the corruption and vanity of earthly existence.

 

4. The Independence of the Soul

Donne stresses that the soul is self-sufficient and not dependent on material things. It is made of “her own stuff,” not drawn from the body or world. This idea reflects Neoplatonic philosophy, which Donne was familiar with, and also Christian thought—that the soul is eternal, divine, and must not be chained to the material.

 

5. Balance and Moderation

The poem praises a life that avoids extremes: one that neither craves death nor clings to life. Donne urges Wotton to pursue a “temperate course”, living with moderation and spiritual composure. This recalls Stoic philosophy and Christian humility.

 

6. Religious Despair vs. Sinful Despair

Donne introduces a crucial distinction between true spiritual despair—a quiet surrender to God's will—and sinful despair, which leads one to wish for death or self-destruction. He warns that despairing of life is a kind of blasphemy, rejecting God’s creation. The poem thus becomes a devotional reflection on endurance, patience, and submission.

 

7. The Virtue of Contentment

The final note of the poem is peaceful. Donne tells Wotton that true virtue doesn’t bring fame, wealth, or worldly wisdom, but inner peace. Even in poverty, one can find rest of soul, if one lives virtuously.

 

Structure and Form

The poem is written in rhymed couplets—a common format for verse letters. The steady rhythm (likely iambic pentameter) and consistent rhyme scheme give the poem a measured, thoughtful cadence, fitting for the philosophical content. The poem reads more like a quiet sermon or spiritual meditation than a dramatic argument.

Donne moves between concrete metaphors (voyages, carcasses, worms, ships) and abstract reasoning (virtue, despair, contentment), demonstrating his mastery of metaphysical poetry.

 

Language and Imagery

Donne’s imagery is striking and often jarring, intended to provoke spiritual insight:

The world as a "carcass" suggests decay, lifelessness, and moral corruption.

Humans as worms feeding on that carcass humbles the reader, reminding us of our dependence and lowliness.

The soul as a virgin, neither male nor female, reflects purity and transcendence beyond earthly divisions.

Religious despair is personified as a virtue that gives strength during suffering, contrasting sharply with hopeless despair.

His metaphysical language bridges spiritual concepts with bodily or physical comparisons, making abstract ideas more relatable and vivid.

 

Philosophical and Theological Insight

Donne’s Christian worldview is central to this poem. He:

Rejects worldly pleasure as empty and decaying.

Advocates for spiritual self-sufficiency.

Cautions against despair, aligning it with spiritual sin.

Embraces patience, humility, and the hope of eternal peace.

He synthesizes Christianity, Stoicism, and Neoplatonic ideas, making this poem not only a personal letter but also a guide to spiritual endurance.

 

Conclusion

“To Sir Henry Wotton” is more than just a poetic letter; it is a meditative treatise on how to live well in a broken world. Donne encourages his friend—and all readers—to practice detachment from worldly things, to avoid both despair and desire, and to find rest in virtue and spiritual balance. His blend of philosophy, theology, and poetic elegance makes the poem a remarkable piece of metaphysical writing.