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John Donne's Use Of Tone

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1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The Lord always forgives his people because of his abundant love and undeserved grace. God will only forgive those sins if they are confessed and repented. In the poem “Batter my heart, three person’d God,” John Donne uses structure, diction, and the tone to portray that reaching redemption requires repentance.
John Donne uses precise language to develop the theme of this poem. Donne specifically uses the word “I” to claim his flaws and own up to them. Donne desperately admits “I like an usurped town, to another due, labour to admit you” (5). By saying I, the speaker is acknowledging his sins and taking responsibility for them. He is not blaming the flaws on anyone else but himself. By stating his sins as his own he is humbling himself before God. The speaker is doing as God commands by turning away from his faults and …show more content…

The speaker is genuinely forthright in his prayer and pleading to God. He hopelessly prays “And bend your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new” (4). The poet is saying this with no hesitation. He is extremely desperate for the Lord’s help and will do anything to receive it. The speaker is not afraid of the Lord's power and knows God can destroy his sinfulness. He is completely willing for the Lord to wipe out his sins because he is in need of redemption.Next, Donne uses a reverent tone to express his respect to God. Donne lovingly states “Yet dearly I love you. And would be loved faine” (9). The speaker is showing his love for God and his need for God's love. He is treating God with respect hoping the Lord will be with him. Donne is in awe of the Lord's power which is why he is coming to the Lord for help. The tone used in this poem to represent the Lord helps desperate yet respectful

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