The Path of Redemption

Although the poem appears to present a bleak portrait of the speaker's inner turmoil, it is ultimately about the Christian desire for God's grace and the path of redemption. This path, the poem suggests, is not always a smooth one. In fact, the allusions to God's "enemy" to whom the speaker is "betrothed" imply that the speaker is struggling to remain dedicated to his faith, instead straying down a sinful path. This was a common theme in early modern English devotional poetry, best exemplified by the work of Donne himself and his contemporary, George Herbert. Both Donne and Herbert, it is worth noting, were clergymen of the Church of England. As such, their devotional lyrics often attempt to dramatize the Christian struggle of remaining faithful to God despite doubts, trials, and earthly distractions.

In "Batter my heart," the speaker dramatizes this struggle by...