Theoretically-Informed Criticism of Donne’s Love Poetry: Towards a Pluralist Hermeneutics of Faith

John Donne’s love poetry continues to generate substantial critical response. This study focuses on recent theoretically-informed approaches to the subject of Donne and criticizes the prevalent hermeneutics of suspicion. Offering alternative readings, the study argues for a pluralist approach to Donne’s complex and often contradictory love poems. It also argues for a hermeneutics of faith, a recollection or restoration of meanings, as opposed to the demystification or unmasking that is typical of suspicious readings.