JOHN DONNE’S CRITICISM TOWARD THE COURTIERS IN HIS SATYRE IV

Abstract

The thesis studies about John Donne’s Satyre IV. It is one of the criticisms toward the court life in the late of sixteenth century, under the reign of Elizabeth I. Thereby, this study is intended to know the background of the satire, to analyze the way the poet criticizes the courtiers, and to know the requirements of an ideal courtier. To analyze the courtiers’ attitudes, the writer applies formalistic approach and historicalbiographical

approach. The analysis will be done through examining some poetic devices inside the poem. In the research, inductive method is applied. The discussion proves that the courtiers do some deviations. The courtiers have bad attitudes, which influence them to do some bad behaviours. This fact opposes the requirements of an ideal courtier. The ideal courtiers shall unite ethical and intellectual virtues in their life.