Song

In John Donne's 'Song', he uses diction to show his frustrations, both with himself and with others; we see this through his view and treatment of women.

Through the use of imperatives in the first stanza, it is clear that Donne is creating a serious mood as he commands an unknown subject using phrases such as, "Tell me", "Teach me", and "Go". His tone is also a bit cynical as he hands out these commands, he also patronizes the unknown subject by referencing mythical and unreal objects and actions, such as going to"Catch a falling star" or listening to "Mermaids singing". He compares an honest and faithful woman to a mythical creature, suggesting that they do not exist and the pilgrimage for such would be in vain.

Jumping to the third and final stanza, the serious and cynical tone continues itself when Donne reiterates his opinion of there being no such thing as a woman who is true and fair, although it becomes a small bit more passive, as if he has given up the search. Donne uses passive phrases to suggest this, such as, "If", "Though", and "Yet do not".

It can be assumed after reading this poem, that Donne takes his frustrations with himself out on others, specifically women, and through his poetry and that his poems are some kind of way to 'vent' his emotions and frustrations with his possible shortcomings.