The enigmatic narrator
Subtitle: the voicing of same-sex love in the poetry of John Donne
By: George Klawitter.
Series: Renaissance and baroque studies and texts ;; v. 14
Publisher: P. Lang; Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, Peter
Published: 1994
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 271
Subjects: Donne, John, 1572-1631 -- Criticism and interpretation.; Homosexuality and literature -- England -- History -- 17th century.; Epistolary poetry, English -- History and criticism.; Erotic poetry, English -- History and criticism.; Narration (Rhetoric) -- History -- 17th century.; Masculinity in literature.; Renaissance -- England.; Persona (Literature); Sex in literature.
Description: Although John Donne enjoyed a reputation as a "visitor of ladies" during his lifetime, the poetry that he left in manuscript can lead modern readers to doubt that the objects of his affection were always women. In early verse letters, Donne very explicitly penned loving sentiments to another man.

In later poems that have traditionally been read as heterosexual expressions of love, readers can find themselves lost in a welter of pronouns that, often insufficiently determinate of gender, can fit convincingly in a homoerotic context.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.