Donne's Anniversaries and the Poetry of Praise

The Anniversary poems showcase Donne's innovative blend of genres, merging elements from praise poetry, elegies, sermons, hymns, and meditations. Barbara Kiefer Lewalski's analysis highlights the complexity of these works, emphasizing their symbolic nature and the way they reflect the themes of loss and commemoration within the context of seventeenth-century poetry. Through this fusion, Donne's poetry transcends traditional boundaries, creating a unique expression of grief and celebration.