The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2) / Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

48688

Title

The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2) / Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents the complete text of John Donne's poems, meticulously edited from early editions and manuscripts. It offers scholarly line notes detailing textual variations, punctuation, and spelling, providing an authoritative resource for students and enthusiasts of the Metaphysical poet.

Summary up to 500 words

Herbert J. C. Grierson's definitive edition of John Donne's poems addresses the significant challenges students face in understanding the Metaphysical poet's complex imagery and underlying 'metaphysics.' Grierson's primary objective was to elucidate the Scholastic and scientific doctrines that inform Donne's conceits, a task complicated by the difficulty of the original texts. To achieve this, the edition prioritizes the 1633 printed edition as its textual authority, vindicating it against the corruptions introduced by later editions. Grierson systematically collated numerous manuscripts and early printed versions (1633–1669) to record variant readings in extensive line notes, allowing readers to trace the evolution of the text without relying on modernized emendations that obscure original meaning. A critical component of this work is the establishment of Donne's canon. Through a wide survey of evidence, Grierson settled disputes regarding disputed poems and rejected spurious attributions found in older collections. The volume presents the full text of major works, including 'The Flea,' 'The Canonization,' and the 'Elegies,' alongside an appendix containing poems deemed spurious. The editorial approach balances fidelity to historical texts with necessary corrections, ensuring that readers can access a true text while understanding the arguments and imagery without the interference of later editorial interference. By recording every change, however minute, the edition empowers students to control the text and recover the original readings, effectively settling the textual history of Donne's poetry and providing a reliable foundation for appreciating his unique literary voice.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Poetry