Batter My Heart : Key info
Batter My Heart is a notable literary work by John Donne. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Batter My Heart.
Key info
Title: “Holy Sonnet 14”—-also known by its first line “Batter my heart, three-person’d God”
Poet: John Donne
Written: Written probably between 1609-1611
Publication Date: First published posthumously in his 1633 collection Holy Sonnets; this poem is the 14th sonnet of a total of 19 sonnets of this collection
Form: Petrarchan Sonnet (also called Italian Sonnet)
Meter: Mostly iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line)
Rhyme Scheme: ABBA ABBA (octave) | CDCDDD (sestet); thus, the rhyme scheme is slightly different from a traditional Petrarchan sonnet
Total Lines/Stanza: 14 lines (1 stanza – sonnet form)
Tone: Intense, passionate, spiritual, desperate, and emotional
Key Notes
What is a Petrarchan Sonnet?
A Petrarchan Sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific structure and rhyme scheme. It is also known as the Italian sonnet. It is divided into two parts:
Octave – First 8 lines
Sestet – Last 6 lines
Traditionally, the octave maintains a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA. The sestet can have different patterns like: CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave gives a problem, question, or idea. The sestet gives the solution or answer. This type of sonnet is named after Italian poet Francesco Petrarca.