John Donne is known for, among many things, his captivating sermons. In Donne's "Holy Sonnet XIV," his piety is met by his poetic ability. As the sonnet follows the speaker's pleas to God for guidance and fortification, Donne uses a series of thoughtfully juxtaposed images, such as creation and destruction, peace and violence, and the righteous with the unholy. These paradoxes serve to contrast the speaker's innately sinful tendencies with God's divine characteristics and reveal the speaker's desire for spirituality.

The sonnet begins commanding- "Batter my heart" (1), setting a theme of "tough love" for the remainder of the first quatrain. Here, the speakers concern for his soul is initially introduced. Indeed, it could be said that the speaker is entreating God to beat the "hell" out of him. He goes on: "for you/ as but yet knock, breathe, shine and seek to mend" (1-2). In these lines, the...