Loves Alchemy By John Donne
Loves Alchemy By John Donne In loves Alchemy Donne establishes a central conceit through an alchemist not being able to extract gold from base metals. This analogy that Donne creates allows him to express his beliefs that spiritual love does not exist, and those in pursuit like the alchemists are laboring under false misapprehensions. Donne clearly uses language as a means to allow the readers to establish a connection between the alchemist and the sexual interpretation of the poem. Donne opens this poem with two lines that lay the groundwork for this conceit. The words “Digged” and the image of “loves mine” allow for a comparison between the physical and spiritual side of love. Donne explains that some have experienced more love then he has, and in doing so, have penetrated “deeper” into loves hidden mystery, that is, they have reached a point that is beyond physical love where they have found the true “centric” happiness. ... From the manner in which Donne express himself within these two lines it is possible to obtain their sexual meaning, through “digged loves mine” we interpret that this as a sexual act.