Batter My Heart Pear 4 Analysis Flashcards
“Reason”
Knows the mind (logical thinking) should be able to guard him against sin but he feels too weak.
“viceroy”
Viceroy – in charge in place of a king. God is believed to be the king of each person – he leaves his representative in the form of ‘reason’ yet He controls reason. Provides us with a moral conscience.
“defend”
Stand up against something – links to previous quatrain. Believes that his intellect should be guarding him against sin/evil.
“captived”
Battle of good and evil. The speaker is the prize – creates the impression of him as self-centred.
trochee emphasises his weakened state
“proves weak or untrue”
Feels his intellect is failing him when it comes to his religious faith. Questioning and does not know how to resolve his uncertainty.
use of a spondee here emphasises the word “or”- it’s one thing for Donne to suggest that his reason is “weak” but entirely another to suggest that his reason is “untrue”- betraying him.
