Example English dissertation topic 8:

8) John Donne: A comparison of his sermons and metaphysical love poems

As well as being a renowned poet of his age, John Donne was also Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. This dissertation reviews two distinct aspects of his life and work. First, it analyses the metaphors used within his metaphysical poems. Secondly, it contrasts the contents and use of language in them to the words of his sermons as recorded. Bringing together two distinct genres of language this dissertation uses a range of primary as well as secondary sources to make a valuable further contribution to our understanding of this great man.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Donne, J.; Fowkes, C. (ed.) (1982) The Love Poems of John Donne. London: St Martin’s Press.
• Donne, J.; Simpson, E.M. (ed.) (2003) John Donne’s Sermons on the Psalms and Gospels: With a Selection of Prayers and Meditations. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
• Friedman, D.M. (1973) ‘Memory and the art of salvation in Donne’s Good Friday poem’, English Literary Renaissance, Vol. 3, pp. 418-442.
• Kerrigan, W. (1974) ‘The fearful accommodations of John Donne’. English Literary Renaissance, Vol. 4, pp. 337-363.
• Klause, J.L. (1987) ‘Donne and the Wonderful’, English Literary Renaissance, Vol. 17, pp. 41-66.