The term metaphysical poetry usually refers to the works of these poets, but it can sometimes denote any poetry that discusses metaphysics, that is, the philosophy of knowledge and existence. This is a very broad term, but it joins together a number of 17 th century poets, most notable among them john donne, george herbert, richard crashaw, andrew marvell, henry vaughn and abraham cowley. Poetry written in england during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 may be referred to as victorian poetry. It contains a structured rhyming scheme that donne deviates from in the second verse of the poem by changing the last two lines to rhyme with each other. The metaphysical school of poetry prides itself on the following structural principles. John donnes many poems are best examples in this regard. Following romanticism, victorian poets continued many of the previous eras main themes, such as religious skepticism and valorization of the artist as genius. Studying metaphysical poetry the sudden transmission playfulness to high pitched passion, the interplay of levity and seriousness are characteristic of the poetry of donne. The metaphysical poets were men of learning, and to show their learning was their whole endeavour. The metaphysical poets were men of learning, and, to show their learning was their whole endeavour. The form of the poetry the rhyming, verse structure and so on is very rigid compared with the common forms of poetry being written today. John donne as a metaphysical poet what is metaphysical. View metaphysical poetry research papers on academia. Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man, but the intelligence, learning and seriousness of the poets means that the poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially about love, romantic and sensual.
Characteristics of metaphysical poetry submitted to smt. The seventeenth century and the metaphysical school of poetry. It is clearly not exhaustive, but, at the moment, it seems the best of the competition. Nothing has been done to make it more readable for modern people. Grierson reaches the conclusion that all great poetry is metaphysical. This type of poetry is witty, ingenious, and highly philosophical. Gardi department of english, maharaja krishnakumarsinhji bhavnagar university, bhavnagar. The term metaphysical is loosely applied to a group of 17th century poets such as john donne, andrew marvell, henry vaughan, george herbert and richard crawhaw. Much of their work calls for a this is a brilliant selection of metaphysical poems, with generous selections of john donne, george herbert, andrew marvell and henry vaughan alongside other. This worksheet focuses on syllogism and conceit in john donnes poems death be not proud and the flea. In this lifetime we are like superman who must remain disguised as the nerdy newspaper journalist clark kent, or harry potter and his friends who are not allowed to do magic while they are on holiday, away from hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Besides donne, some other poets are also listed in this school like george herbert, andr ew marvell.
A century after the dominance of the elizabethan era, a refined, a more provocative lyric poetry movement swept england with greater depth in its verse. He is considered the preeminent representative of the. Metaphysical poetry is famous for its abrupt, personal openings in which a man speaks to his mistress, or addresses his god, or sets a sc ene, or calls us to mark this or see that. The phrase metaphysical poetry derives from the scornful remarks of some restoration and 18th century critics.
Topics of interest often included love, religion, and morality, which the metaphysical poets considered through unusual comparisons, frequently employing unexpected similes and metaphors in. See more ideas about poetry, metaphysical poetry and john donne. Metaphysical poetry worksheet by the cordial classroom tpt. John donne, indeed, is a metaphysical poet but many critics doubt it. The clark lectures at trinity college, cambridge, 1926, and the turnbull lectures at the johns. Eliot in the essay the metaphysical poets 1921 to explain the change that occurred in english poetry after the heyday of the metaphysical poets. Metaphysical poetry is a term applied to many poets who. Eliot 1993 indeed, it would not be possible to give a comprehensive definition of metaphysical poetry or determine the exact number of poets who practice it or belong to this school of poetry.
Poetry can be divided into two typessubjective or personal poetry and objective or impersonal poetry. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry in english literature. But the meaning of the poetry is not necessarily different from todays poetry. Though the name itself is a misnomer, but by the term metaphysical poetry we do not only understand the poetry written by john donne and a few other followers, including george herbert, john cleveland, richard crashaw, henry vaughan, andrew marvell, and abraham cowley in the 17th century. This is a term used for a group of 17thcentury poets donne and herbert, vaughan, crashaw, marvell, and othersin america, edward taylor who are not really a school of poetry but simply seem to use very similar poetic techniques. Metaphysical poet, any of the poets in 17thcentury england who inclined to the personal and intellectual complexity and concentration that is displayed in the poetry of john donne, the chief of the metaphysicals.
Metaphysical poetry, a term coined by samuel johnson, has its roots in 17thcentury england. Con sequently, one might expect any anthology of the worlds best poetry, or a treasure house of english verse to be a compre hensive metaphysical anthology. He did not take a degree at either school, because to do so would have meant subscribing to the thirtynine articles, the doctrine that defined anglicanism. Herberts poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognized as a pivotal figure. He studied at both oxford and cambridge universities in his early teen years. Their poetry is greatly challenging to understand at first reading. It is because donnes poetry is limited to emotions, whereas in conventional terms, metaphysical poems are long and poetry of metaphysics is about the philosophical system of the universe. Metaphysical poetry definition of metaphysical poetry by.
Metaphysical poets a group of 17thcentury poets whose works are marked by philosophical exploration, colloquial diction, ingenious conceits, irony, and metrically flexible lines. Metaphysical poets, the selections naxos audiobooks. John donne, andrew marvell, george herbert, thomas carew and henry vaughan. The petrarchan sonnet is the popular form of poems, and is also apparent in death be not proud. It asks the students to analyze and write down the syllogism in both poems, and then choose a poem and illustrate the metaphysical conceit in the poem. Others include henry vaughan, andrew marvell, john cleveland, and abraham cowley as. Their style was characterized by wit and metaphysical conceitsfarfetched or unusual similes or metaphors, such as in andrew marvells comparison of. Metaphysical poetry definitions, notes and objective. Lewis metaphysical poets did not call themselves by this name. What are the characteristics of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysics in poetry is the fruit of the renaissance tree, becoming overripe and approaching putrescence. Metaphysical poetry is selfconsciously difficult, demanding intellectual effort on the part of the. Metaphysical poetry the phrase metaphysical poetry is derived from the scornful remarks of some restoration or 18thcentury critics. Metaphysical poetry has been one of the most unique genres in english literature owing to a number of aspects.
The metaphysical poets have been a huge influence on 20th century english poetry, and it seems amazing that for a long time they were largely neglected. The metaphysical school of poetry of the 17th century. Metaphysical poetry is considered highly ambiguous and obscure due to high intellect and knowledge of the metaphysical poets. The metaphysical poets is a term coined by the poet and critic samuel johnson to describe a loose group of british lyric poets of the 17th century, whose work was characterized by the inventive use of. Metaphysical poets 1 metaphysical poets john donne, one of the most famous metaphysical poets. The word meta means after, so the literal translation of metaphysical is afte. All the major features of this kind of poetry were so unique that even some terms have been derived. Metaphysical poetry, a well known genre of poetry that started in 16th century england, has greatly influenced contemporary poets and those who practice metaphysics everywhere. The poetry of donne is intensely personal and one can reconstruct from his love songs and holy sonnets an attractive picture of his personality. Wordsworth defines poetry as, a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings recollected in tranquility.
Instead, they were labeled as such later by john dryden and samuel. Metaphysical poetry definition is highly intellectualized poetry marked by bold and ingenious conceits, incongruous imagery, complexity and subtlety of thought, frequent use of paradox, and often by deliberate harshness or rigidity of expression. Strictly speaking, metaphysical means concerned with the fundamental problems of the nature of the universe, and mans function or place in life, but this literal sense is misleading. Moreover, it focuses on love, as the union of soul. Associated with certain british poets of the 17th century, metaphysical poems share characteristics yet do not formally comprise a genre of poetry. When the style was most vigorous in the seventeenth century, it brought forth the best.
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