John Donne and the Protestant Reformation : new perspectives / edited by Mary Arshagouni Papazian.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Papazian, Mary Arshagouni, 1959-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Donne, John, 1572-1631--Religion.

Donne, John.

Donne, John, 1572-1631.

Christianity and literature--England--History--17th century.

Christianity and literature.

Religion.

England.

History.

Protestantism and literature--History--17th century.

Protestantism and literature.

Christian literature, English--History and criticism.

Christian literature, English.

Reformation--England.

Reformation.

Physical Description:

viii, 385 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Detroit : Wayne State University Press, [2003]

Summary:

The early transition from catholicism to protestantism was a complicated journey for England, as individuals sorted out their spiritual beliefs, chose their political allegiances, and confronted an array of religious differences that had sprung forth in their society since the reign of Henry VIII. Inner anxieties often translated into outward violence. Amidst this turmoil the poet and Protestant preacher John Donne (1572-1631) emerged as a central figure, one who encouraged peace among Christians. Raised a Catholic but ordained in 1615 as an Anglican clergyman, Donne publicly identified himself with Protestantism, and yet scholars have long questioned his theological orientation. Drawing upon recent scholarship in church history, the authors of this collection reconsider Donne's relationship to Protestantism and clearly demonstrate the political and theological impact of the Reformation on his life and writings.

The collection includes thirteen essays that together place Donne broadly in the context of English and European traditions and explore his divine poetry, his prose work, the Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, and his sermons. It becomes clear that in adopting the values of the Reformation, Donne does not completely reject everything from his Catholic background. Rather, the clash of religion erupts in his work in both moving and disconcerting ways. This collection offers a fresh understanding of Donne's hard-won irenicism, which he achieved at great personal and professional risk.

Contents:

Polemist or pastor? Donne and moderate Calvinist conformity / Daniel W. Doerksen

"Speaking openly and speaking first" / Jeanne Shami

The Augustinian Donne / Mary Arshagouni Papazian

John Donne and Paolo Sarpi / Jeffrey Johnson

Donne's Protestant Paradiso / Raymond-Jean Frontain

"Souldiers of one army" / Paul R. Sellin

Unmeete contraryes / Catherine Gimelli Martin

From "Tav" to the cross / Chanita Goodblatt

Pathopoeia and the Protestant form of Donne's devotions upon emergent occasions / Brent Nelson

Breaking down the walls that divide / Elena Levy-Navarro

Reforming baptism / Annette Deschner

True purification / Maria Salenius

"Not upon a lecture, but upon a sermon" / Gale H. Carrithers, Jr., and James D. Hardy, Jr.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0814330126

OCLC:

51728674