Wednesday, September 28, 2011

OED: Mystery

We did the OED essay prompt of Mystery in "The Canonization". There are three distinct definitions of the word 'mystery' and each comes with its own interpretation. This essay seeks to show how a different definition of one word can change the entire meaning of the poem.
The first definition of 'mystery' we used was the religious definition, which tied into Christian theology. The Mysteries is the imprint of Christ on the society and our world, and to a certain extent this poem is also an imprint of the lovers on the world. It also refers to the Eucharist, of the body of Christ being transferred from a piece of bread into ourselves. It highlights the un-importance of the physical body and emphasizes the spiritual., which flows nicely with the imagery of the poem flowing from flies to a phoenix.
The word mystery comes from ministry, and this definition refers to a position or office or skill. In the beginning of the poem the lovers are being ostracized or criticized by society, but by the end they are being invoked as saints of love. Their love, which at the beginning causes them trouble, also earns them a permanent place in their society. This definition can also refer to Donne's own life where he is searching for an office in society and through this poem he is canonizing himself.
The final definition is the most common and widely-used. Mystery is defined as a shroud or obscures knowledge. In a way the poem shrouds or obscures the lovers from the rest of the world. This definition also refers to the lines about a 'well-wrought urn', because an urn is itself a mysterious vessel because you can not see what is inside of it. In the poem the lovers also build rooms meant to shroud and protect them.

In conclusion, it is clear that there are multiple interpretations of the poem stemming from one word.

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