Unparalleled in scope, this important volume provides the most comprehensive selection to date of Donne's works. In addition to the poems, it contains excerpts from all the prose writings, including such unfamiliar items as Donne's private letters, his comic onslaught on the Jesuits, Ignatius His Conclave, and his defense of suicide in Biathanotos . In addition, Carey presents over 130 excerpts from sermons culled from Donne's sixteen-year preaching career, concluding with the full text of his last sermon, Death's Duel .
Author
John Donne was an English poet, preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially as compared to that of his contemporaries. Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
