Metaphysical poets, was a group of English poets of seventeenth century (late Elizabethan era) who never formed a separate school or a movement proper in the history of English Literature, but were rather distinguished and categorized on the basis of the presence of common traits of style, wit, inventiveness, wordplay and most importantly; the use of metaphors in an untraditional way. The term was first coined by Samuel Johnson who in his book ‘Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets’ (1779-81) referred
John Donne. Mainly a poet, I will be focusing on his earlier lust poem “Elegy XIX: To His Mistress Going to Bed”, the love poem “The Sun Rising”, and religious poem “Hymn to God My God, in my Sickness”. Before diving into such works, it is important to first learn about Donne and his life. John
unanimously acknowledged as a true metaphysical poet because he made an unlike conceptual thought against the Elizabethan poetry, showed an analytical pattern of love and affection and displayed an essence of dissonance in words and expressions. This paper concentrates on the exploration of the characteristics of Donne’s metaphysical poetry highlighting extended form of epigrams, conceits, paradoxes and ratiocinations. Donne in respect of the manifestation of metaphysical beauty was an unparallel and super
John Donne and George Herbert: the Metaphysical Brothers of Poetry Although not an official or formal school of poetry Metaphysical Poetry is widely present in 17th century English poetry. According to the Norton Anthology of English Literature, English poets such as Herbert, Vaughan, Crashaw, Marvell, Traherne, and Cowley can all be attributed as Metaphysical poets (1262). Coined by critics such as Samuel Johnson and William Hazlitt, Metaphysical poetry contains complex conceits and self-conscious
formations, the most complex classifications and studies of reason if the poet is able to carry sensation into these poems, forming them into passionate experiences through vivid and moving imagery. For uncertain or inexperienced readers not prepared for understatement and subtleties, Donne’s poetry acts as a vivid recruiting device. Such readers need to be grabbed by the shoulders and shaken by the strenuousness of Donne’s metaphysical conceits in order to truly delight in the style and theme of a poem
John Donne is known as being one of the most famous and influential metaphysical poets. 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.” As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote, however, “The unnatural, that too is natural," and the metaphysical poets continue to be studied and revered for their intricacy and originality. Due to Donne’s
to one psychologist or another. However, if one asked a certain young minister from seventeenth century London the same questions, he would have suddenly become inspired. This exceptional personality was the metaphysical poet John Donne. Many people debate whether Donne's metaphysical style of verse is genuinely contemplative comparison or merely eccentric imagery. However, if one looks deep enough into the witty his witty works such as, "The Sun Rising," or "The Flea," they will find evidence
the inner most workings of the human soul. Works Cited Cording, "George Herbert." Padgett, Ron, ed. World Poets. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2000. 438. Print. Eliot, Thomas S. British Writers. Ed. Ian Scott-Kilvert. Vol. 2. New York: Scribner, 1979. 119. Print. Gottlieb, Sydney "George Herbert." Reisman, Rosemary M. Canfield., ed. British, Irish, and Commonwealth Poets. 4th ed. Vol. 2. Pasadena, CA: Salem, 2011. 618. Print. Herbert, George. “Easter Wings.” Greenblatt, Stephen
Exploration of the Different Aspects of Love in Poetry In the Victorian and Elizabethan times there were many poems, which explored the aspect of love. The metaphysical group of poets explored the whole experience of man, which was usually romantic or sensual. The poems I will talk about are "The Flea" by John Donne (1572-1631), "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell (1621-78), "The Sick Rose" by William Blake (1757-1827), "A Woman To Her Lover" by Christina Walsh in the Victorian era and
Herbert's Metaphysical Poems In the first portion of The Temple, specifically Perirrhanterium, Herbert prescribes the didactics necessary for the instruction of the catechumen in a simple, straightforward manner. As the reader moves into the main section of The Church, the author’s poetic wit becomes more complex in both its style and depth of topic. Although the starkness of the messages in Herbert’s metaphysical poems is not as palpable as those of the Church Porch, their ability to teach