Poet John Donne: biography, creativity and personal life

John Donne was born in London in 1572 (between 23.01 and 19.06). His father was a prosperous merchant. He died when John was not even four years old. The daughter of the playwright and poet D. Haywood was his mother. Among her ancestors she also had T. Mora.

Period of training, refusal of oath

At the age of 12 John Donne entered Oxford University (in Hart Hall). And three years later he moved to Cambridge. Donne did not receive a degree in any university . Perhaps, both early enrollment there, and the refusal of formal completion of training are explained by the fact that Donne did not want to swear allegiance to the influential Anglican Church. From the competitor of any degree was required at that time an oath to her. However, for the Catholic, this was unthinkable.

Traveling to different countries

Donne, leaving the university, traveled for a while in Spain and Italy. About his life is known a little before in 1591 he entered the legal corporation under the name "Tavis Inn." A year later, Donn moved to another - "Lincoln's Inn", which remained about three years.

John in the years 1596-97. Was one of the "gentlemen-volunteers" who were representatives of the "golden youth" and went to Count Essex, popular among the people, to a pirate expedition against Cadiz. Then they sailed to the Azores, to the ill-fated "Island Campaign". The campaign was started by them to intercept Spanish ships returning with treasures from America.

John becomes famous

Donna's career in the next 4 years was successful. He was even elected a member of parliament in 1601. Donne was a poet, without having printed a single line. Written in prose "Paradoxes and problems" caused admiration of contemporaries, as well as his attempts to revive classical forms (epigram, poetic message, satire, love elegy).

Secret marriage and its consequences

John Donne in January 1602 secretly married Ann Mohr, a seventeen-year-old girl. Her father tried to do so that the newly-made son-in-law was sent to jail. He had to spend time in Fleet prison, and also lose his place in the service of the seal keeper. Donn, out of prison, was out of work. Almost completely exhausted his once solid heritage. The period from 1602 to 1615 is a hopeless and harsh year. Donne vainly sought the application of his talents.

Twelve children gave birth to him, Ann, of whom seven survived their mother, who died in 1617. Donna lived for the first 2-3 years with his wife's relatives in Surrey. In 1605, they moved to a house in Mitcham, not far from London.

Unsuccessful attempts to apply their talents

For a long and long time John Donne studied theology, church law and church history. He helped in 1605-07, T. Morton, later became bishop of Darem, in creating polemic writings directed against Catholicism. Morton not later than 1607 promised a good arrival to Donna, if he decides to accept the order. However, John still hoped to make a mundane career. He unsuccessfully tried to take the place of secretary - first in Ireland, then - in Virginia. Tried Donne also get the post of ambassador in Venice or The Hague. At the same time, many masterpieces of love lyrics were created, most of the religious poems, as well as refined complimentary epistles.

The writing, thanks to which Donna began to promote

In 1610 appeared the first published work of John "The Imaginary Martyr." It was dedicated to King James. The book was a brilliant defense of the oath he swore to be faithful to the English crown, which was imposed on Catholics after the Powder Conspiracy in 1605. John Donne was rewarded for this work by a Master of Arts degree from the prestigious Oxford University. The king has since openly stated that he will help John advance in the service, if he decides to elect the church. Donne in the same year found, finally, a patron. It was R. Drury. In the period from November 1611 to August 1612 he traveled with him abroad. After Donn returned, he moved his family to a house located on Drury Lane. Here John lived until 1621.

Ordination to the priesthood, teaching activities

"Experiments in theology," created between 1611 and 1615, give the impression that they were written by a man who can be called fully prepared for church ministry. Donn on January 23, 1615 was ordained a priest and deacon. The King of Jacob made him one of the chaplains. He also made sure that Donne was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Cambridge University. One of the most honorable chairs in London was given to him in 1616. Donne was to teach theology to the elders of Lincoln's Inn, a law firm.

Ailment and a book based on new experiences

The king at the end of 1621 appointed John the abbot of St. Paul's Cathedral. Donne created little poetry during the ministry in the church. But in 1624 he published "Prayers and cries for urgent cases," psychologically acute and full of tension. This is a report about a disease that almost became fatal, which he suffered in 1623. The disease became a mirror of the spiritual state for John Donne. He saw his dependence on God's mercy. John Donne died on March 31, 1631 in London.

The sermons and poems of John Donne

He bequeathed to his son more than 160 sermons. The son published them in 3 volumes. John Donne, preaching, preferred calls and exhortations to moral cleansing of people about the existing contradictions in the dogma that are separated from the Anglican Catholic Church. Despite the careful scholarly analysis of various passages from the Scriptures, and sometimes even the Latinized vocabulary and syntax, in his sermons one can recognize the same rich imagery and living rhythms characteristic of his poems. The sermons of Donna, along with the Prayers, provided him with perpetual fame, making him one of the greatest masters of English prose.

Very few poems decided to publish John Donne. His poems were for the chosen circle. They are characterized by a very personal intonation, a lot of hints, as well as other techniques that are characteristic of the lively conversation of a secular interlocutor. All this allows us to say that John Donne's sonnets and other poems addressed a narrow circle of persons. Today, his work is available to everyone.

John Donne is very famous in our country. Brodsky, for example, dedicated him "Big Elegy." His name, however, is embodied not only in Russian literature. Very well-known today is the Moscow pub "John Donne" (Taganka). As you can see, this English writer and poet in our country enjoys versatile popularity.