The Broken Heart by John Donne, Analysis & Summary
This study guide provides a detailed analysis of the poem "The Broken Heart" by John Donne. The guide explores the meaning and themes of each stanza, examines the poet's background, offers a critical analysis of the poem, discusses the use of symbols, language, structure, sound devices, and other literary devices. Additionally, it highlights the attitudes and feelings conveyed in the poem and suggests similar poems that share common themes.
Poem Text
He is stark mad, whoever says,
That he hath been in love an hour,
Yet not that love so soon decays,
But that it can ten in less space devour ;
Who will believe me, if I swear
That I have had the plague a year?
Who would not laugh at me, if I should say
I saw a flash of powder burn a day?
Ah, what a trifle is a heart,
If once into love's hands it come!
All other griefs allow a part
To other griefs, and ask themselves but some;
They come to us, but us love draws;
He swallows us and never chaws…