The Funeral

Context

• The Funeral by John Donne was written during the early 17th century and is part of his metaphysical poetry, which often explores themes of love, death, and the soul's immortality.
• The poem reflects Donne's preoccupation with the interplay between physical death and the continuation of spiritual existence, particularly in the context of love.
• Donne was known for his complex and often paradoxical treatment of such themes, blending emotional intensity with intellectual exploration, which is evident in this poem.

Structure and Form

Form, Meter, and Rhyme

• The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing eight lines.
• The rhyme scheme follows ABABCDCD, creating a balanced and rhythmic structure that reflects the poem's contemplative tone.
• The meter is primarily an iambic tetrameter, which lends the poem a steady, almost rhythmic cadence that mirrors the inevitability of death and the reflective nature of the speaker's thoughts.

Speaker and Setting

• The speaker in the poem is a lover who is reflecting on his death and the significance of a physical token (a bracelet made of hair) given to him by his beloved.
• The setting is the imagined scene of the speaker's funeral, where the token becomes a symbol of the enduring connection between the lovers, even in death.

Poetic Devices

Metaphor:

• Donne uses the metaphor of the bracelet made from his lover's hair as a "subtle wreath of hair," symbolizing the enduring bond between the lovers that transcends physical death.
• The speaker reflects, "And that this lock of hair / Which, from thy fair head, I / Took" emphasizing the importance of this token as a symbol of their connection.

Conceit:

• The poem employs a metaphysical conceit where the bracelet of hair represents not just love but a kind of spiritual ownership or claim over the speaker's body, even in death.
• The speaker asserts, "Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm / Nor question much / That subtle wreath of hair," suggesting that the hair binds him to his lover even beyond death.

Irony:

• Donne uses irony to highlight the futility of earthly concerns in the face of death, while simultaneously elevating the significance of the lover's token as something that transcends those concerns.
• The speaker mentions, "For it was mine, it never was thine own," pointing out the irony of material ownership after death, as the spiritual bond takes precedence.

Symbolism:

• The hair in the poem symbolizes both the physical and spiritual connection between the lovers, serving as a token that bridges the gap between life and death.
• The speaker describes, "That since you would save none of me," using the hair as a symbol of the part of him that remains alive through love.

Key Themes

The Intersection of Love and Death

• The poem explores the theme of love's ability to transcend death, with the speaker viewing the token of hair as a symbol of the eternal bond between the lovers.
• The speaker reflects, "Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm / Nor question much / That subtle wreath of hair," suggesting that love endures even after death.

The Power of Physical Tokens

• Donne emphasizes the significance of physical tokens, like the bracelet of hair, as embodiments of love that retain their power even after death.
• The speaker asserts, "But thou art my best piece of art," indicating that the token is a lasting representation of their love.

Spiritual Ownership and Eternal Love

• The poem explores the idea that love creates a spiritual claim over the beloved, one that remains even after physical death, as symbolized by the hair.
  • The speaker declares, "And that thou shalt be my soul," highlighting the idea that their love transcends physical existence and continues on a spiritual level.

Similar Poems

• "The Relic": Like The Funeral, this poem also explores themes of love and death, using the metaphor of a relic to symbolize the enduring nature of love beyond the grave.
• "Twickenham Garden": Both poems deal with the complexities of love and loss, with Twickenham Garden focusing on unrequited love and The Funeral on love's persistence beyond death.
• "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning": This poem similarly examines the spiritual connection between lovers that remains unbroken by physical separation or death.

Line by Line Analysis

Stanza 1

Lines 1-4

Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm

Nor question much

That subtle wreath of hair, which crowns my arm;

The mystery, the sign, you must not touch,

"Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm / Nor question much"

• The speaker addresses those who will prepare his body for burial, asking them not to disturb or inquire too deeply about something personal and significant.
• The tone is both protective and mysterious, suggesting that the object in question holds deep meaning.

"That subtle wreath of hair, which crowns my arm;"

• The "subtle wreath of hair" refers to a bracelet made from a lock of hair, likely from a lover, which the speaker wears on his arm.
• This hair is described as "subtle," emphasizing its delicate and personal nature, symbolizing the close bond between the speaker and his lover.

"The mystery, the sign, you must not touch,"

• The speaker warns against touching this "mystery" and "sign," indicating that the hair represents something sacred and significant.
• The use of "mystery" suggests that the wreath of hair is more than a mere token; it carries a deeper, possibly spiritual significance.

Lines 5-8

For 'tis my outward soul,

Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,

Will leave this to control

And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution.

"For 'tis my outward soul,"

• The speaker describes the wreath of hair as his "outward soul," suggesting that it is a physical representation of his inner being or spirit.
• This phrase elevates the hair to a symbol of his essence, connecting the physical and spiritual aspects of his identity.

"Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,"

• The speaker likens the hair to a "viceroy," a deputy who governs in the absence of a king, suggesting that after his soul departs for heaven, the hair will remain to oversee his earthly body.
• This metaphor implies that the hair holds a protective or governing power over his body after death.

"Will leave this to control / And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution."

• The speaker believes that the hair will somehow preserve his body, preventing its decay ("dissolution").
• The comparison of his body to "provinces" governed by the hair suggests that each part of his physical form is under the watchful care of this symbol, maintaining its integrity even after death.

Stanza 2

Lines 9-12

For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall

Through every part

Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,

Those hairs which upward grew, and strength and art

"For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall / Through every part"

• The speaker reflects on the idea that the body's nerves or "sinewy thread," directed by the brain, connect and unify all parts of the body.
• This imagery emphasizes the interconnectedness of the physical body, where every part is controlled by the mind.

"Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,"

• He suggests that these threads not only connect but also unify the body into a single, cohesive entity.
• This line reinforces the idea of physical and spiritual unity, where the body is held together by the mind's influence.

"Those hairs which upward grew, and strength and art"

• The speaker contrasts the body's natural threads with the "hairs" from his lover, which grew naturally but are now imbued with "strength and art."
• This line suggests that the hair, though seemingly ordinary, possesses a special power or significance due to its connection to his lover.

Lines 13-16

Have from a better brain,

Can better do'it; except she meant that I

By this should know my pain,

As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.

"Have from a better brain,"

• The speaker implies that the hair comes from a "better brain," likely referring to his lover, whose intellect or essence is superior to his own.
• This elevates the hair as a symbol of his lover's influence, which is both physical and intellectual.

"Can better do'it; except she meant that I / By this should know my pain,"

• He suggests that the hair, with its superior origin, might better control or influence his body than his mind can unless its purpose is to remind him of his suffering.
• The line introduces a sense of irony or bitterness, as the hair that symbolizes love also becomes a reminder of his emotional pain.

"As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die."

• The speaker compares the hair on his arm to manacles on a prisoner condemned to death, suggesting that it binds him, not just physically but emotionally.
• This metaphor underscores the paradox of love: it is both a connection and a burden, holding him in a painful but inescapable bond even in death.

Stanza 3

Lines 17-20

Whate'er she meant by'it, bury it with me,

For since I am

Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry,

If into other hands these relics came;

"Whate'er she meant by'it, bury it with me,"

• The speaker is uncertain about his lover's true intentions behind giving him the wreath of hair, but he insists that it should be buried with him.
• This suggests a desire to keep the symbol of their love private, even in death, maintaining its significance solely for himself.

"For since I am / Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry,"

• The speaker refers to himself as "Love's martyr," indicating that he has suffered or sacrificed himself for love.
• He fears that if the relic (the hair) falls into other hands, it might lead to "idolatry," where others might venerate the symbol rather than understand its true, personal significance.

"If into other hands these relics came;"

• The speaker expresses concern that the hair if passed on to others, could lose its meaning or become an object of misplaced worship.
• The term "relics" elevates the hair to something sacred, underscoring its importance in the speaker's relationship.

Lines 21-24

As 'twas humility

To afford to it all that a soul can do,

So, 'tis some bravery,

That since you would have none of me, I bury some of you.

"As 'twas humility / To afford to it all that a soul can do,"

• The speaker acknowledges that his act of treasuring the hair was an expression of humility, giving his soul's devotion to this small token.
• This humility is reflected in his reverence for the object, which symbolizes his deep respect and love.

"So, 'tis some bravery,"

• He now claims that his decision to take the hair to the grave is an act of "bravery."
• This suggests a defiant strength in his choice to hold onto this symbol of love even in death, showing courage in maintaining his connection despite rejection.

"That since you would have none of me, I bury some of you."

• The speaker poignantly remarks that since his lover rejected him ("would have none of me"), he will still carry a part of her with him by burying the hair.
• This line reflects the complex emotions of love, loss, and pride, as the speaker finds a way to preserve his connection to her despite the end of their relationship.