Explain the lines "Give me a storme; if it be love, Like Danae in that golden showre I swimme in pleasure;"

Deconstructing the Imagery

The opening line, “Give me a storme; if it be love,” is a bold and paradoxical statement. Storms are typically associated with chaos, destruction, and fear. However, the speaker *requests* one, framing it as a potential manifestation of love. This suggests that the speaker is not afraid of the challenges or difficulties that love might bring; rather, he welcomes them as proof of its intensity. The conditional “if it be love” implies a test – a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of genuine affection.

The Allusion to Danae

The subsequent lines draw upon the classical myth of Danae. Danae, a princess in Greek mythology, was locked away by her father, Acrisius, who feared a prophecy that her son would kill him. Zeus, captivated by her beauty, visited her in the form of a golden shower, impregnating her with Perseus. This myth is rich with symbolism: the golden shower represents divine intervention, a forceful and unexpected intrusion, and ultimately, the birth of a hero.

Significance of the Mythological Reference

• Surrender and Passivity: Danae’s role in the myth is largely passive. She receives the golden shower; she doesn’t actively seek it out. The speaker’s comparison to Danae suggests a willingness to surrender to the power of love, to be acted upon rather than to control the situation.
• Divine and Overwhelming Force: The golden shower is not a gentle rain; it’s a powerful, overwhelming force. This mirrors the speaker’s desire for a love that is all-consuming and transformative.
• Fertility and Creation: The myth is ultimately about creation – the birth of Perseus. The speaker implicitly links love to the potential for growth, renewal, and the creation of something new.

“I swimme in pleasure” – The Emotional Response

The final line, “I swimme in pleasure;” reveals the speaker’s emotional response to this imagined “storm” of love. The verb “swim” suggests a sense of ease and buoyancy, despite the potentially turbulent nature of the experience. He isn’t being battered by the storm; he’s effortlessly carried along by it, finding joy and fulfillment in its power. The use of “swim” also implies immersion – a complete and total absorption in the feeling of love.

Combined Effect and Interpretation

Taken together, these lines present a complex and nuanced view of love. The speaker doesn’t shy away from the potential for pain or difficulty; he actively seeks it out, believing that it is a necessary component of genuine affection. The allusion to Danae elevates the experience to a divine level, suggesting that love is a force beyond human control. The final line confirms that, despite the potential for turbulence, the speaker finds immense pleasure in this surrender and immersion. This isn’t a naive or simplistic view of love; it’s a recognition that true connection often requires vulnerability, risk, and a willingness to be transformed.

Donne’s use of metaphysical conceit – the comparison of vastly different things – is central to the poem’s effect. The juxtaposition of a destructive storm with the pleasurable experience of swimming creates a tension that reflects the complexities of human emotion. The poem, and these lines specifically, argue that love is not merely a feeling of contentment, but a powerful, transformative force that can overwhelm and uplift in equal measure.