John Donne's Marriage Songs and Epithalamions: An Analysis

Donne's marriage songs and Epithalamions were written with the intention of being publicly read, which is how we are given the opportunity to understand what marriage truly was like in Donne's time. The different styles and techniques he uses uniquely add to each poem.

For example, in "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn," Donne uses the traditional poem style. It is written in the same style as many of his other poems, with seven twelve line stanza's, but of course is a marriage song and is therefore explaining the marriage to come. At the end of each stanza is the line "Today put on perfection, and a woman's name." Now this line means that the union of marriage perfects a woman with her husband, and she will fall short of womanhood until this union. Therefore, through the repetition of this line we learn the importance of a union between man and woman in order for a woman to earn her womanhood. It is also true that repetition is not often used by Donne. There are not many of his poems that repeat a line over and over, therefore because he does in this particular poem we realize its importance. We are not exactly sure as to why Donne does not often use repetition, but my personal belief is that Donne only uses repetition when he has a strong belief, and wants to get across the importance of his belief or thought.

Although "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" is a marriage song, there are also many economic and sexual references in it. Epithalamions are meant to be read aloud, so economic references wouldn't have been thought to go in a marriage song, and sexual references especially wouldn't have been considered proper in a marriage song read to the public. Therefore, it makes sense that D. Novarr believed that "Epithalamion Made At Lincoln's Inn" was actually written for a mock wedding, which makes sense for some of the uncalled for references, especially because its often been called a tongue and cheek marriage song. Furthermore, Donne is quite strong in his economic references, as marriage is often considered a wife hunt to win the richest wife as they bring their wealth into the marriage with them, "Our golden mines, and furnished treasury" (line 14). This particular line is actually referring to their beautiful wives as mines full of riches, and then these riches are their treasures. Then, for instance, in the second stanza Donne is referring to the money the women bring into the marriage. Women are to enter the marriage with a large dowry,

"You which are angels, yet still bring with you

Thousands of angels on your marriage days" (lines 15-16).

Therefore, it is almost like he is saying that life is a wife hunt to catch the richest wife who will bring the most money into the marriage. Although, you would never think that a marriage song would have these kind of unloving references in it, it actually makes sense in a way. It makes sense because of the belief that Donne is only writing for a mock wedding, and not a real one, so therefore it would be highly unlikely that this particular Epithalamion would be read to the public. A few of the sexual references are quite bold and paint us quite the picture of the night her virginity ended,

"Put forth, put forth that warm balm-breathing thigh,

Which when next time you in these sheets will smother

There it must meet another" (lines 7-9).
Now, this is a sexual reference, if ever. What it is saying is "put forth your thigh for your lover, and next time you are together in bed, it will meet his," which is indicating her soon-to-be-lost virginity. Furthermore, there are references explaining his expectations. He expects a perfect wife and will accept no less, "So may she fair and rich, in nothing lame" (line 23). He believes that a woman doesn't reach her full potential and state of perfection until she marries,

"Till now thou was but able

To be what now though art; then that by thee" (lines 81-82).

Therefore, it was believed that she hadn't reached the perfection she has now attained, but was merely capable of reaching. She can now realize what was only possible to her. It was believed then that marriage was the last deed to perfect a woman and change her into her womanhood, "Wonders are wrought, for she which had no main" (line, pg.95). Which is saying what was previously without fault now becomes even more perfect. Furthermore, although "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" is using Donne's typical style, it is making references within the poem that lead us to wonder how they fit into a marriage song.

Although "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" uses a traditional poem style by Donne. "Epithalamion" uses its own unique style. Instead of a typical marriage song, this particular marriage song is using each stanza for a different stage in the marriage process. For example, the first stanza is entitled "The Time of the Marriage," and goes on to explain when the wedding was to take place. "When he doth in his largest circle run," (line 110) which is referring to the northern skies, and when the sun reaches the highest point of his largest circle, it will be his summer solstice, which is referring to the wedding taking place in the summertime. There is also the fourth stanza which is entitled "Raising of the Bride," and goes on to explain what the bride did before her marriage days, and how she is leaving her old life behind.

"For our ease, give thine eyes th' unusual part

Of joy, a tear; so quenched, though mayst impart" (line 46-47).

It was normal for the bride to cry upon her wedding day and is almost expected by the parents, as she is now leaving them and going off with her new husband. Of course, there is also the preparation of the bride, "Her Apparelling." The bride is expected to look perfect at her wedding, and so her apparelling is quite important:

"Our objects be the fruits of worms and dust;

Let every jewel be a glorious star,

Yet stars are not so pure, as their spheres are" (lines 53-56).

He wants his bride to be a sight to see, and to look beautiful. In reality worms and dust means silk and gold, so he wants her to be adorned in beautiful pieces, to show off her perfection. However, this is also involving a bit of satire. Worms and dust are normally thought, to be ugly and dirty, and to think that in Donne's time that they were referred to as beautiful items such as silk and gold is definitely showing some satire. And the last line, is also a reference to her beauty and purity. The spheres in which the stars rotated were made of the same stuff as the heavenly bodies, but only purer. "Epithalamion" carries on after the ceremony with "The Bride's Going to Bed," which explains his understanding for her:

"Know that if sun and moon together do

Rise in one point, they do not set so too" (line199-200).

He understands her weariness, and though expects her to rise at the same time as him in the morning; he does not expect her to stay up until he decides to retire for the night. She may go as she pleases. Consequently, this stanza is followed by "The Bridegrooms coming," which explains her modesty as well as their new discoveries of each other:

"Their souls, though long acquainted they had been,

These clothes, their bodies, never yet had seen.

Therefore at first she modestly might start,

But must forthwith surrender every part,

As freely, as each to each before, gave either eye or heart" (line 210-214).

Finally, "Epithalamion" ends with "Allophanes," which is celebrating the union of these two lovers and proposing to lay this poem before the bridegroom or even the king himself,

"Nor may yourself be priest: but let me go

Back to the Court, and I will lay it upon

Such altars, as prize your devotion" (lines 233-235).

Furthermore, the style used by Donne in "Epithalamion" shows us not only all the steps of a marriage, but a different way of looking at and reading a marriage song.

There are many points, which differ between "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" and "Epithalamion." Not only their styles, but also the loving references made within "Epithalamion" compared to "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn." In "Epithalamion" he wants his bride to be beautiful on their wedding day. Another very important point, is the last line in almost all of the stanzas. "The fire of theses inflaming eyes, or of this loving heart." This line isn't exactly the same in each stanza, but is so similar that it refers to the same thing. It is basically saying that the desire they have for eachother shows in their eyes, as their love lies in their hearts. Therefore, there is one similarity, which is the repetitive lines at the end of each stanza. However, although both epithalamions have repetitive similarities, they are different in one way. "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" is saying that the woman is not perfected until she marries him, which is by no means a loving reference. Whereas "Epithalamion" is saying that they show their desire for eachother in their eyes, while their love is in their hearts, which falls in with a marriage song quite nicely. "Epithalamion" is therefore a true marriage song containing references to true love and happiness, "They tread the air, and fall not where they rose" (line 189). However, "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" is written for a mock wedding, which only explains the economic as well as the very sexual references.

In conclusion, Donne's different strategies for writing "Epthalamion Made At Lincoln's Inn" and "Epithalamionn" show us not only the different styles but also his ready use of wit by the satire and irony involved in both Epithalamions. These Epithalamions are publicly written marriage songs, but whereas one is written with loving references, the other is filled with economic and sexual references. Therefore, this is showing us the differences not only in the writing styles, but how "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" was actually written and intended for a mock wedding. Furthermore, the styles within these Epithalmions show us another way of understanding a marriage song. While "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" uses a tradition poem style, "Epithalmion" uses an original style, all its own. Showing us not only, all the stages of a marriage, but also the love involved in the preparation of this marriage. Therefore, although "Epithalamion Made at Lincoln's Inn" and "Epithalamion" are both marriage songs intended to be publicly read, they differ from eachother greatly not only in their styles, but in the references which show us the ironic side of Donne's life within the marriage songs.