John Donne
English · 16th–17th century
English metaphysical poet and cleric, known for his elaborate conceits and explorations of love, death, and religion.
Connection to Taylor Swift
His poem A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning about private love that doesn't need public display is thematically paralleled in Taylor's treatment of intimate, hidden gestures of love across the Reputation era.
Notable Works
- A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, The Flea, Holy Sonnets, Death Be Not Proud
Appears in the Archive
Context within the Archive
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
“You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi”
Angela & Uncle Jerry discuss how the hand squeeze in the back of a taxi is a private, intimate gesture that doesn't need to be made public. Uncle Jerry connects this to John Donne's poem about how he doesn't need to profane his love by making it public because his wife knows it. Angela extends this by noting the Reputation album was born out of a period of secrecy and private relationship.