Violet

The most salient symbol in “The Ecstasy” is the violet that appears along the bank by the lovers and that the speaker compares to their souls mixing in love. The violet has long been a symbol of modesty, both in ancient Greek mythology and in its associations with the Virgin Mary. Donne plays off of those associations to demonstrate the transcendent power of love. He uses the image of “A single violet transplant” (37) that starts out “poor and scant” (39) but “Redoubles still, and multiplies” (40) to illustrate how love infuses life into two souls so that they become one better soul. By focusing on the flower’s fertility and capacity to reproduce, Donne pokes fun at those who would value the violet for its associations with modesty. But even more, he reveals the overwhelming power of ecstatic love, which infuses life — whether human or floral —with strength...