John Donne's poetry reflects many things about him as a poet. Primarily, his poetry reflects the makeup of his character as he writes the poem. In the last years of his life he entered a religious phase which he continued until his death in 1631. Sonnet 14 is an example of his religious period, where he is "beleaguered" and asks God to enter in his life in a very real way. His use of parallelism, powerful diction and syntax, and paradox presents his thoughts on this subject in an unparalleled way and highlights the depth of his feelings in this sonnet. (Please infer that references to God refer to the Trinity.) Donne uses the Trinity in several ways in Sonnet 14. His first example of the Trinity is seen in the second line. The Trinity or Father, Son and Holy Spirit are characterized in this line by the words knock, breathe and shine. These words have a biblical context and are justified by verses from the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus uses a parable in a book of the Bible saying that he knocks on people's hearts and they are the ones who open the door to him. The translation of this is that Jesus only comes into a person's heart or life if we let him in. Donne wants Jesus to knock on the door of his life because he is ready to let him in. God is often called the person who breathes life into man. The example of this is in the Old Testament where He breathed life into Adam and Eve, thereby creating life in them. Donne must believe that he has no “life” in him. Its justification comes from the verse saying that we are dead to God until we are born again. When we are reborn, He will breathe life or Eternal Life into us. The Holy Spirit will shine through believers and this is... middle of paper...... the true bride of Satan. Donne also works with paradox in his sonnet. One of these paradoxes can be “untied” when Donne himself is “untied” by examining the different meanings of the words captivate and delight. The sonnet's most obvious paradox is the fact that Donne will only be free if God imprisons or enslaves him. Donne's uses of syntax and diction give the impression of the strength and dominance of sin and God in his life. Sonnet 14 gives a personal look into Donne's soul at this point. Even at this advanced stage of his life, he still feels that God is absent. The impression is evident, however, that God was once a part of his life, but sin has returned and taken over. Donne's reluctance to return to such a lifestyle leads him to advocate slavery and imprisonment by God in order to find the freedom to love and be loved by Him..