The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2) Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts

"The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2)" by John Donne is a collection of poetry published in the early 17th century. This volume features a comprehensive compilation of Donne's works alongside extensive commentaries and annotations by Herbert J. C. Grierson, aimed at illuminating the complexities of Donne's metaphysical poetry. The poems within this volume grapple with themes of love, spirituality, and philosophical inquiry, showcasing Donne's unique stylistic approach that blends personal emotion with intellectual depth. The opening of this collection provides not only an introduction to the anthology but also explains Grierson's motivations for curating this edition. He recounts how his teaching experiences revealed students’ struggles with Donne’s language and themes, prompting him to create clearer interpretations based on meticulous collation of various editions and manuscripts. Moreover, Grierson discusses the importance of the 1633 edition as a primary source and highlights the rich historical context of Donne's work, ensuring that readers will have a deep understanding of the poetic landscape while engaging with the texts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Donne was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England. Under Royal Patronage, he was made Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London (1621–1631). He is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His poetical works are noted for their metaphorical and sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs and satires. He is also known for his sermons.