METAPHYSICAL CONCEITS IN DONNE"S "THE RELIC".
In most, if not all, of his works, John Donne uses the concept of "metaphysical conceits" to extensively compare one thing to another. "The Relic" is no exception. Donne typically uses the title of each of his works as a vehicle by which this conceit is portrayed (i.e., "The Flea") and thus creates a sort of double meaning for it. In "The Relic", Donne speaks of the death of his lover, a time when she will be buried beside him and the two shall rest in eternal togetherness:.
"When my grave is broke up again.
Some second guest to entertain,.
(For graves have learned that woman-head.
To be to more than one a bed).
Donne not only seems to compare the grave of he and his lover to a married couples" bed, but the central focus here of his conceits is the word "relic." Donne uses this word to describe he and his lover after they are deceased. He also uses the metaphysical conceit of a grave digger to represent Christ bringing the souls of the deceased to heaven:.
"If this fall in a time, or land,.
Where misdevotion doth command,.
Then, he that digs us up, will bring.
Us, to the Bishop, and the King,.
To make us relics; then.
Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I.
A something else thereby;".
It seems that Donne uses the word "relic" in two completely different ways. A relic, first of all, is an artifact from long ago. Donne uses this definition of the word to describe himself and his deceased lover. In a sense, once buried, their bodies will become "relics", becoming ancient in the ground as time passes. However, the second meaning of this word is how Donne uses it in the line " Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I / A something else thereby;". When referring to the "Bishop" and the "King", Donne is clearly speaking of God and Christ. It seems that he believes the love between he and his significant other is so powerful, that even those figures in Heaven would value the possession of their souls, as one would value a priceless relic.