John Donne: Poem analysis » Batter my heart » Language and tone in Batter my heart

Dramatic language

The language used by Donne in Batter my heart is highly dramatic.

• The monosyllabic verbs especially hit us, as they are run off as a list in quick succession:
  • ‘knocke, breathe, shine’ contrasting with
  • ‘breake, blowe, burn’ The alliteration is carried on from the opening ‘Batter’
• The paradoxes are similarly paired:
  • ‘rise and stand’ with ‘o'erthrow’;
  • ‘imprison...enthrall’ with ‘free’
  • The verbs predominate, just as monosyllables do.

Dramatic voice

The initial outburst reminds us of Donne's dramatic voice, seen in so many other openings:

• ‘Busie old foole’ (The Sunne Rising)

• ‘For Godsake hold your tongue’ (The Canonisation)

• ‘Blasted with sighs’ (Twicknam Garden)

• ‘Spit in my face’ (another of the Holy Sonnets).

However there is considerable variation of tone: it is not all strident. 1.6 has more a tone of longing; 1.9 is much softer, a declaration of love. The drama is never rant. There is a curious tension between importunity and reverence.