The Canonization

Relationship Status: Complicated

There are three elements that identify a John Donne poem: God, love, and, well, being clever. Most of his poetry has at least two of these aspects, though many, like "The Canonization," have all three. The religious and romantic aspects of his work are pretty easy to spot, but his cleverness takes a keener eye. It also frequently takes the form of a poetic technique called a conceit, which is a kind of extended metaphor that brings together seemingly-unrelated elements, like a saints' eyes, the entire world, and a pair of mirrors. For more examples of Donne's favorite topics and techniques, check out "The Flea," "The Computation," and "Death, be not proud."