John Donne Bio

Reading John Donne's biography was almost as interesting as reading the works selected for class.  When I got to the bottom of the first page, one point really struck a chord with me.  It stated that "Donne argues that honest doubting search is better than facile acceptance of any religious tradition" and it made me stop and pause.  This was the first time I'd heard such a statement from any of our authors, and it seemed in such opposition to the cultural and societal norms that were pervasive in Donne's time.  However, when I continued to read on, I realized that Donne also was a sell-out like man of his peers; the shiny gleam patronage and royal favor was too strong or necessary to resist.  Also, he recanted from his Roman Catholic upbringing and became a priest in the Church of England; the hypocrisy of his action thoroughly disappointed me.  However, I have a feeling there was much more going on in side than his external appearances show and I am excited to see how this thread of rebellion, doubt and questioning weaves its way through his works.