Metaphysical Conceit in John Donne's The Sun Rising

Metaphysical Conceit in John Donne's The Sun Rising

Have you ever been in love? Have you ever felt a love so strong that nothing else seemed to matter? I hope that you have, but if you haven't, John Donne's poem, "The Sun Rising", gives a revealing glimpse into the emotional roller coaster that is true love. In the poem, Donne uses what is called a "metaphysical conceit" to emphasize the strength of the devotion between him and his lover. A metaphysical conceit is a metaphor extended to extreme, almost absurd lengths, so it makes sense for it to be used to describe intense feelings such as the devotion of two lovers. This definitely applies here, for in the mind of the narrator, he and his lover are the entire world, and the mighty sun, a mere servant to their desires.

Donne's narrator begins the metaphor in the first stanza, addressing the sun as its morning rays awaken him, through the curtain. He scolds it as if it were an unruly butler, calling the sun a "busy old fool" (Line1). It is suggested that the sun should be attending to more important concerns at that hour, rather than waking to lovers:

"Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide

Late schoolboys, and sour prentices,

Go tell court-huntsmen, that the king will ride,

Call country ants to harvest offices;"(Lines 5-8).

In other words, time means much more to those who must deal with everyday problems, like going to work, school, or out for a hunt. Time has no meaning to two people in love. They have no use for the sun. This may sound a little melodramatic, but that is one aspect of the metaphysical conceit: There is no question as to the writer's position on the subject. This is just the beginning.

In the second stanza, th...

... middle of paper ...

...rt everywhere;

This bed thy center is; these walls, they sphere."

(Lines 29-30)

Once more, obviously, we are told that these two constitute all that there is in the universe. The sun exists only to serve them. Nothing else matters.

If there is a point that you are dying to get across, if there is a message which you think just can't be overstated enough, then you might want to consider using a metaphysical conceit. A proper grasp of language is required to use the conceit without sounding repetitious. Obviously this is very important. We have all read or heard someone speak who doesn't seem to realize that their point has been made. Donne knew this and welded his pen very carefully. His metaphysical conceit does not sound like someone rambling. It sounds like the heartfelt devotions of someone who believes what their heart is telling them.