Hi Alexandra,

I agree with you that Donne’s poetry has a sort of opulence to it that is reminiscent of Catholicism and its remarkable art.  I wonder what to make of the fact that he makes a point to mock it in his poetry. His lovers become saint-like from decidedly unholy acts in “The Canonization”. He directly calls Catholicism a “mis-devotion” and fears that him and his lover will be dug up and brought to the “Bishop” and the “King” after their deaths. Formally, even, Donne continually blows up his central conceits and formal structures as he writes each new poem, essentially rejecting the Catholic emphasis on ritual. I wonder if part of this is an attempt to prove his renunciation of Catholicism as he joins the protestant church. Ultimately, however, it is fascinating just to see how he is able to play with, combine, and subvert so many different conventions (religious, social, literary) all at once.