Donne - Holy Sonnets: March 7, 2019

In Donne’s poem Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward, he discusses the sufferings of Christ when he was being crucified. Donne begins the poem by emphasizing the importance of men being able to grow spiritually through understanding their religion, “Let man’s soul be a sphere, and, then, in this, The intelligence that moves, devotion is…” (693). This passage starts off the poem to tell readers that it is up to man himself to live his life religiously if he so chooses to do. The individual must make a conscious effort for change. As the poem continues, Donne discusses his deep faith and devotion to God. He says that he would hate to even had witnessed what happened when Christ was crucified, “But that Christ on this cross did rise and fall, Sin had eternally benighted all. Yet dare I almost be glad I do not see That spectacle, of too much weight for me.” (694). Donne uses a very vital moment in Christianity to illustrate his love for God and his faith. Not only is Donne making a point about the excruciating pain that Christ went through but also illustrating that as a devout Christian he would struggle with comprehending that event with his own two eyes. Then, Donne talks about what he would do if he were at the crucifixion and how he would feel about it. Donne seems to believe he would not be able to look at Christ upon the cross, “O Savior, as thou hang’st upon the tree. I turn my back to thee but to receive Corrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.” (694). Again, Donne is focusing on his faith and how he is not worthy compared to God to be present in front of him and that he needs the help of God to be strong enough to face difficult times. In the end, this poem showcases the unwavering faith that Donne has and how he strives to stay strong in his faith by remembering the sufferings that Christ went through for the salvation of his, and all others, souls.