Batter My Heart Pear 5 Analysis Flashcards
“Yet”
Beginning of the sestet. The word “Yet” indicates that this is the volta (turning point) of the poem. A softer, more gentle tone is introduced here as he presents the unsatisfied yearning of a lover.
“dearly I love you”
An odd expression of affection in a religious poem (again, more fitting in a love poem).
“would be loved fain”
Desperate to be loved in return.
“betrothed”
Deeply personal involvement with the Devil. His soul is under the control of evil and it cannot escape on its own. Likened to a woman forced into a marriage contract against her will, hoping to be saved
“enemy”
Satan: the enemy of God. His intellect and morality are not enough on their own – he needs God to help him fight against sin/temptation.
“Divorce”
Urgent tone – suggesting the dissolution of a bad marriage. The speaker is commanding – there is no ‘please’ or ‘thank you’, only desperation. Needs to be rescued.
“untie”/”knot”
A further reference to this strong connection between himself and evil.
“break”
Repeated from the first quatrain. Turbulent feelings.
