But fortunately this general agreement provides valuable clues to an understanding of both the seventeenthcentury and modern conceptions of metaphysical poetry. John donne and metaphysical poetry article written by. The underlying quality that appears to connect many of the seemingly unrelated features of metaphysical poetry might be called the dynamic image. John donne and andrew marvell are probably the best known of these poets who write very intellectual poems that appeal to the minds, rather than the emotions of the readers. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry in english literature these poets were not formally affiliated. Chapter iii ts eliot and metaphysical poetry shodhganga. Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man.
The main features of the metaphysical poetry illustrated by. Metaphysical poetry penguin classics various, christopher ricks, colin burrow on. Ethics having been eclipsed by psychology, we accept the belief that any state of mind is extremely complex, and chiefly composed of odds and ends in constant flux manipulated by desire and fear. Michael donkor explains what makes john donne a metaphysical poet, and looks at the creative and distinctive ways in which donne used metaphysical techniques. Get an answer for discuss the features of metaphysical poetry in donnes poems. What is metaphysical poetry, and who were the metaphysical poets. Topics of interest often included love, religion, and morality, which the metaphysical poets considered through unusual comparisons, frequently employing unexpected similes and metaphors in displays of wit. The poems classified in this group do share common characteristics. Eliot and that of the metaphysical style has thrived on fresh critical interpretation and vital poetic experimentation. The poetry of donne to whom marvell and bishop king are sometimes nearer than any of the other authors is late elizabethan, its feeling often very close to that of chapman. Others include henry vaughan, andrew marvell, john cleveland, and abraham cowley as well as. The metaphysical conceit, associated with the metaphysical poets of the 17th century, is a more intricate and intellectual device. Poems such as the canonization, the extasie even though they are not explicitly discussed, the great metaphysical question is the relation between the spirit and the senses.
Not only is it extremely difficult to define metaphysical poetry, but difficult to decide what poets practise it and in which of their verses. However, through the painstaking labors of enthusiastic critics and scholars, some distinguishing features and characteristics of metaphysical poetry have been. In the book, johnson wrote about a group of 17thcentury british poets that included john donne, george herbert, richard crashaw, andrew marvell and henry vaughan. 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 combines thought or metaphysical speculation with feeling. The metaphysical poems have been written following some chief characteristics. A group of poets emerged in the beginning of the seventeenth century, whose poetry come to be known as the metaphysical poetry. Associated with certain british poets of the 17th century, metaphysical poems share characteristics yet do not formally comprise a genre of poetry. The term was first used, when referring to donne, by john dryden in 1693 when he complained that donne affects the metaphysics. Metaphysical poetry was a product of the popularisation of the study of mental phenomena. The poets of 17th century revolted against the prominent features of renaissance and its impacts on a mans life. Dec, 2009 metaphysical poets made use of everyday speech, intellectual analysis, and unique imagery.
His religious poetry had dramatic realism, colloquialism, and direct speech. 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. Literary critic and poet samuel johnson first coined the term metaphysical poetry in his book lives of the most eminent english poets 11791781. The term metaphysical poets was coined by the critic samuel johnson to describe a loose group of 17thcentury english poets whose work was characterized by the inventive use of conceits, and by a greater emphasis on the spoken rather than lyrical quality of their verse. Sep 01, 2019 wit is also a noteworthy feature of metaphysical poetry.
The term metaphysical poetry is used to describe a certain type. I, issue 8 november 20 2399 her collection of metaphysical poems, the metaphysical poets, gardner says that samuel johnson first coined the term. Essay about the main features of the metaphysical poetry. This is a short introducution to metaphysical poetry and john donne. The term which was popularised by samuel johnson in the eighteenth century, is often used to describe the work of poets including john donne, george herbert, and andrew marvell, although johnson originally applied it to. Some of metaphysical poets include john donne, edward taylor, george herbert, and andrew marvell.
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. These poets are said not to have met each other or to have communicated in any way, but they share a large amount of similarities. Cavalier poetry is generally stylistically simpler than the best metaphysical poetry. The metaphysical poets, who wrote during the first three quarters of the 17th. In other words, it is a type of poetry dealing with abstract or philosophical subjects such as love, religion, god, beauty, faith and so on.
Donne does make use of many typical metaphysical features used by others in the group arresting turns of phrase, conciseness, conceits and an emphasis on the argumentative, for example. Metaphysical poetry for english hons metaphysical poetry for ma english metaphysical poets metaphysical poetry characteristics metaphysical poetry for net ugc by rahul sharma. Johan donne is called the monarch of wit in the history of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry by john donne notes, meaning, features. The term which was popularised by samuel johnson in the eighteenth century, is often used to describe the work of poets including john donne, george herbert, and andrew marvell, although johnson originally applied it to the poetry of abraham. Strictly speaking, metaphysical poetry does not represent to an age rather it is a distinctive school of thought. It means that the poetry is about showing knowledge and thoughts from. Metaphysical poets made use of everyday speech, intellectual analysis, and unique imagery.
This characteristic especially appears in donnes poetry. Wit is also a noteworthy feature of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is very often defined as some thing fantastic or vague. A study on metaphysical poetry european academic research, vol. Metaphysical poetry definition top 5 metaphysical poets. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry sample essays. Metaphysical poetry is the name given to a style of poetry from the seventeenth century.
John donne as a father of metaphysical poetry is highly read and referred when it comes to the use of metaphysical characteristics. Oct, 2016 2 answer the following questions about the features of metaphysical poetry. But this is not true and this poetry does not denote any queer or vague trend, but rather bears a number of specific features that give it a distinctive merit. 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. Topics of interest often included love, religion, and morality, which the metaphysical poets considered through unusual comparisons, frequently employing unexpected. A brief guide to metaphysical poets academy of american. Wit and conceit were both aspects of a mental set shared by writers looking. Metaphysical poetry metaphysical poetry, a term coined by samuel johnson, has its roots in 17thcentury england. Metaphysical poetry, a term generally applied to the works of a group of english poets of the seventeenth century. It usually sets up an analogy between one entitys spiritual qualities and an object in the physical world and sometimes controls the whole structure of the poem. Khelsoril wanbe, paonam sudeep mangang donne and eliot. Literary critic and poet samuel johnson first coined the term metaphysical poetry in his book lives of the most eminent english poets 1179. Metaphysical poets 1 metaphysical poets john donne, one of the most famous metaphysical poets.
Metaphysical poetry, in an etymological sense, is poetry on subjects which exist beyond the physical world. Metaphysical wit is the expression of ones idea and thoughts, using aptly and technically the words and various figures of speech in such a manner as to provide pleasure to the readers. These poets were not formally affiliated and few were highly regarded until 20th century attention established their importance. Most metaphysical poetry was written by english men of a middle or upper class level who were involved with the english church and clergy. A brief guide to metaphysical poets academy of american poets. Metaphysical poetrymid16th century mid17th century 2. John donne as a metaphysical poet english literature and. Concentration is one of the major features of metaphysical poetry. The main features of the metaphysical poetry illustrated by john donne essay. Give examples from the poets and the poems in the course. He shows that much of the new criticism and the metaphysical poetry of t. The main features of the metaphysical poetry illustrated. The main features of the metaphysical poetry illustrated by john donne the term metaphysical poetry is used to describe a certain type of 17th century poetry.
The term metaphysical, as applied to english and continental european poets of the seventeenth century, was used by augustan poets john dryden and samuel johnson to reprove those poets for their unnaturalness. Salient features of metaphysical poetry or donne as a metaphysical poet seventeenth century in english literature was an era which witnessed great changes. Mirror metaphysical poetry in english whatsapp status. Metaphysical poems are lyric poems characterised by use of wit, irony and wordplay. Others include henry vaughan, andrew marvell, john cleveland, and abraham cowley as. A significant feature of metaphysical poetry is the use of metaphysical conceits. The reader is held to an idea or a line or argument. The metaphysical poets are said to be witty and intellectual because of the typicalities present in their writings. A key anthology for students of english literature, featuring some of the crowning achievements of renaissance verse spanning the elizabethan age to the restoration and beyond.
The phrase metaphysical poetry derives from the scornful remarks of some restoration and 18th century critics. It used literary elements of similes, metaphors, imagery, paradoxes, conceit, and farfetched views of reality. Metaphysical poetry definition what is metaphysical. Metaphysical poetry is a term applied to many poets who wrote in a rather difficult and abstract style during the 1600s. Nov 11, 2014 8 metaphysical poetry is the mixture of sensual and spiritual experience. Download pdf save cite this item table of contents. Pdf generally, donne is read and taught as a metaphysical poet and not a. Metaphysical poets a group of 17thcentury poets whose works are marked by philosophical exploration, colloquial diction, ingenious conceits, irony, and metrically flexible lines. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry i concentration concentration is one of the major features of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry definition of metaphysical poetry by.
John dryden, while writing on john donne, mentioned. John donne and metaphysical poetry the british library. Metaphysical elements have been recognized in the work of sidney, shakespeare, marlowe, chapman, and other english and continental poets. Pdf elements of metaphysical poetry daniyal wali academia. Marvells poem is arranged in rhyming couplets of iambic tetrameter eight beats alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables, a form also used by ben johnson. Elizabethan poetry characteristics english summary. A metaphysical poem tends to be short and is always closely woven and so there is some truth when it is said a metaphysical poem is an expanded epigram. The term metaphysical poetry was not a term used by donne or by his contemporaries when referring to poems by him or other poets of his time. Use of ordinary speech mixed with puns, paradoxes and conceits a paradoxical metaphor causing a shock to the reader by the strangeness of the objects compared. Jun 04, 2019 metaphysical poetry is very often defined as some thing fantastic or vague.
A metaphysical poem tends to be short and is always closely woven and so there is some truth. Moreover, it focuses on love, as the union of soul. This type of poetry is witty, ingenious, and highly philosophical. Metaphysical poetry is a vast topic to discuss, but to put in a nutshell, the type of poetry, which is about the correlation between the physical realm and spiritual realm, soul and being, real and conceptual, along with the forms of reality and insight, using the methodologies of philosophy. John donne popularized the metaphysical poetry early in the 17th century. While their poetry is widely varied the metaphysicals are not a thematic or even a structural school, there are some common characteristics. When we begin exploring john donnes verse, the description of him as a metaphysical poet is inescapable and so its worth considering in detail. The poems use rather odd imagery do share common features. It means that the poetry is about showing knowledge and thoughts from different areas of experience, especially. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry in english literature. If so shrewd and sensitive though so limited a critic as johnson failed to define metaphysical poetry by its faults, it is worth while to inquire whether we may not have more success by adopting the opposite method. The best examples of metaphysical poetry in english. 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. A comparative study of amichai, one of israels leading poets and the most translated one, and the english metaphysical poets of the 17th century, notably donne, may help us to appreciate and to.
765 365 854 1031 1185 1110 134 1407 396 1196 1094 302 760 844 1254 1495 666 1400 1248 979 1433 198 586 796 1258 1537 623 172 909 1430 340 747 540 834 685 1203 3 263 1348 965 657 1047 965 1397 227 229