Themes

The main themes of the poem “Batter My Heart” by John Donne are religion and antagonism. These themes are enriched by the use of motifs like warfare, love, and sex. The motif of warfare is present in the second quatrain while the motif of sex features in the sextet.

Religion

The theme of religion pervades the whole poem and can be seen as the general topic of the lyrical text. The poem is addressed to God and focuses on the speaker’s desire to fully worship and surrender to the divinity, although he feels like he is prevented by reason and temptations.

In the poem, the idea of religion is symbolised by the “three-person’d God” (l. 1), or the Holy Trinity (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit). Like in traditional interpretations, God is almighty (ll. 2-4), and faith has the power to change a person into someone new. However, the poet chooses to focus on the violent, forceful powers of God who has the means to impose himself (and religion) on a sinful person like the spea...