'John Donne argues in verse', Comment on this statement. ( MEG 101 ) ( STUDY OF JOHN DONNE )

The statement "John Donne argues in verse" is an accurate description of Donne's poetry. Donne was a master of the metaphysical conceit, a complex and often paradoxical comparison that drew on unusual and seemingly unrelated elements to create a fresh perspective on the subject at hand. Through these conceits, Donne argued passionately for his ideas and beliefs, using wit, logic, and intellectual daring to make his point.

Donne's poems are characterized by their argumentative quality, as he grapples with complex philosophical, religious, and emotional questions. His poetry is not merely a display of his wit and erudition but rather a vehicle for the exploration of important ideas. Donne's poems are often structured as a series of rhetorical questions and answers, as he considers different perspectives and seeks to arrive at a satisfying conclusion.

Thus, Donne's poetry can be seen as a means of intellectual inquiry, and as such, it is often characterized by its logical and argumentative structure. His poems demonstrate a remarkable ability to balance the demands of form with the expression of complex ideas, and in doing so, they offer a unique and valuable contribution to the world of English poetry.