Paper Title
The Question of Doubt in John Donne‘s A Hymn to God the Father and George Herbert‘s Affliction I
Abstract
The poems, A Hymn to God the Father by John Donne (1688) and George Herbert’s Affliction I (1633) present speakers who recognize their failures and are keen to attain unity with their creator rather than satisfying their urges. Donne and Herbert were priests who composed lines that not only involve theological thinking but also convey a state of spiritual conflict. Both poems are considered religious poems noted for their robust styles. However, the speakers in these two poems, as I argue here, question their faith in God.
Keywords - John Donne, Metaphysical Poetry, George Herbert, Theology.