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.
About Me
- Aliyya
- Passionate about the things that I do, I work hard to put my all into everything. I am still a work in progress growing closer to Christ and learning more about myself. I can honestly say that I love all people and I believe that everyone has a unique gift that they can share with the world. I think God created me to be an encourager so I plan to devote my life to helping others find that special gift placed within them. PEACE & LOVE
2 comments:
I agree with you on Donne's using certain imagery as metaphors to humans. I like the references to the text to back up your conclusions. I noticed that Donne was making a point when refering to the allusion that the Bait which refers to a woman whos'' seduction attracts the best of men. But in the end the Bait is really the one fishing for their partner. Underneath that you could argue that its all a game of cat and mouse and the Bait is tricky. Seduction and lust are their but aren't the major things to focus on in comparison to love versus game playing. Donnes' use of imagery incorporates less compassion and more sinister motives.
in this poem i think the bait is love. he is sayin that there is two sides to love, the good side and the bad side
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