Literature and sacrament
Book Description
In the turbulent religious landscape of seventeenth-century England, poet John Donne navigated complex theological debates that would profoundly shape his understanding of language, creativity, and spiritual connection. Theresa DiPasquale reveals how Donne's engagement with Reformation controversies surrounding Baptism and the Eucharist became the foundation for his revolutionary approach to poetry and meaning-making.
This scholarly exploration demonstrates how Donne viewed written words as sacred signs, positioning the poet as a creator of divine significance and the reader as an active participant in spiritual exchange. Through careful analysis of Donne's works, particularly his secular poems, DiPasquale uncovers a sophisticated theology that transcends simple Protestant versus Catholic divisions.
Rather than accepting oversimplified religious categories, this study acknowledges the rich multiplicity of theological perspectives competing within English church culture. DiPasquale reconstructs Donne's nuanced sacramental theology to illuminate his poetic philosophy and his vision of the transformative relationship between writer and reader.
The book offers insights not only into Donne's literary genius but also into how seventeenth-century audiences received and interpreted these "poetic sacraments." For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality and literature, this work reveals how theological questioning can deepen artistic expression and create profound connections between human souls across centuries.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 338 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Christian poetry, English
- ✓ Explore Baptism
- ✓ Explore Holy, The, in literature
- ✓ Explore Sacraments in literature
- ✓ Explore Theology in literature
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Criticism and interpretation
