Synopsis of Hymn to God, my God

Preparation for death

Hymn to God, my God is one of Donne's last poems, reputedly written just eight days before his death. In his illness, Donne is not asking for healing but to be prepared for death. To some extent the peace and assurance in the poem stand in contrast to the overwhelming sense of sinfulness in some of his other religious poems. Its control of form and imagery suggest someone already well prepared.

It is called a hymn, a regularly structured poem that could be put to music.

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