The Bait

Is it love or lust? During the first read of John Donne's "The Bait" love may come to mind. However, by the end of the poem and a deeper look into the extended metaphor Donne presents with the fish and the bait, the poem seems to develop another theme and meaning. Through the use of metaphor and imagery, Donne demonstrates the seductive trap of a woman and the sometimes shallow relationship men and women share.
In "The Bait" the bait represents women and the fish in the sea represent the men. In the first two stanzas of the poem, there seems to be an enjoyable relationship presented. The images of "golden sands and crystal brooks" are the pleasures the speaker and his woman will share once their relationship begins. "Silken lines and silver hooks" are attractive images drawing the man towards his bait. Fish full of love are swimming toward the bait, all wanting to bite the bait and get a taste of the goodness she seems to be able to offer based upon her appearance. The bait is "warmed by the eyes, more than the sun." The women during this time in society were expected to make themselves presentable in society before men because a woman was expected to have a mate. With all eyes on the bait, she has become a symbol of lustful seduction, something easy on the eyes, catching the attention all the fish in the sea. However, a lasting relationship is not based upon outward appearance alone. Therefore, "curious traitors, sleeve-silk flies, bewitch poor fishes' wandering eyes." Donne creates the image of fish being distracted from the bait when they catch sight of the next good looking sight. The poem takes a turn at the end when the speaker explains the fish not caught by the bait are far more wiser than he. Bait is something used to deceive and catch fish in their weakness. The speaker is fooled by the bait and has been caught under the power and seduction of a woman.
"The Bait" explores the relationship between men and women. Donne may be showing how relationships were not built upon love but something else false. Bait is false and so are the relationships being formed but, once hooked it is hard to let go.

The Good- Morrow

Loves serves as the perfect theme for John Donne's poem "The Good-Morrow" because of the author's sense of hopeless romanticism. The diction of "The Good- Morrow" demonstrates how deeply in love Donne has fallen. Love has created a connection so strong between the two represented they have become one. This point is stressed through the repetition of word one. Although the author's love has developed into the passion which prompted him to write the poem "The Good-Morrow," Donne had not always experienced this everlasting love. In the past he had spent his time fulfilling his lusts and pleasures. The title of Donne's poem "The Good- Morrow" demonstrates the author's epiphany he experiences after gaining realization of the strong love he and his lady share.
The first stanza of "The Good-Morrow" tells the story of life before love. The author explains how he "sucked on country pleasures childishly" and "snorted we in the Seven Sleepers' den". But the author also says "what thou and I Did, till we loved?" Sure Donne probably knows the events and decisions of his past. However, after experiencing a true love, everything else seems so minute. So, although he experienced a time of chasing after young woman, engaging in sexual activities and sleeping Donne feels as if time was wasted and spent uselessly. This realization occurs after the wakening of their souls. The title is significant because it symbolizes the awakening. Good-Morrow also means good morning. Donne has been shaken by love and awakes to find that his life before he fell in love was insignificant. "Our two loves be one" shows how strong the connection between these lovers actually is.
The author has an epiphany. Love has opened his eyes to living. Before falling in love these lovers souls were sleeping, passing the time. These lovers seemed to have almost entered into a new world together. A few different times Donne makes references to geography and their location. However, before falling in love he had not realized with love, his life would mean so much more. Donne figured e had lived the good life as he pursued his desires as most young men would. But, by the end of "The Good- Morrow" it is clear even in the title a huge awakening has occurred and love is the driving force behind it all.