17th Century Poetry Poetry Breakdown

17th Century Poetry Metaphysical Poetry: celebrated imagination & wit; explored BIG questions regarding love, sex, the universe, the divine Cavalier Poetry: focuses on sensual, romantic love; mimics Renaissance poetry more than metaphysical Carpe diem: “seize the day” or live life to the fullest Petrarchan Sonnet

“Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

“Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne Death, be not proud, though some have called thee A Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so; B For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow B Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. A From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, A Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, B And soonest our best men with thee do go, B Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. A Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, C And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, D And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well D And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then? C One short sleep past, we wake eternally, A And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. A Petrarchan Sonnet

“Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne Personification Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery. Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. Extended Metaphor: rest/sleep=death Makes death seem less scary Pun: birth/setting someone free personification Theme: Idea of afterlife keeps us from fearing death Tone: condescending Mood: hopeful, empowered Paradox: die = non-existence

“Death” by George Herbert Tone: fearful to admiring Mood: hopeful Death, thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing, A Nothing but bones, B The sad effect of sadder groans: B Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing. A Imagery: fearful/full of decay But since our Savior’s death did put some blood Into thy face, Thou art grown fair and full of grace, Much in request, much sought for as a good. Imagery: beautiful Therefore we can go die as sleep, and trust Half that we have Unto an honest faithful grave; Making our pillows either down, or dust. Simile: Makes death less scary

“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell Had we but world enough and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime. An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes, and on they forehead gaze; Two hundred to adore each breast, But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart. Metaphor: Agreeing to show him physical affection

“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell But at my back I always hear Time’s winged chariot hurrying near; And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found; Nor, in they marble vault, shall sound My echoing song; then worms shall try That long-preserved virginity Hyperbole: When she dies—worms will take her virginity

“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell Simile: comparing their actions to birds mating Tone: Mischievous Mood: ??? Like amorous birds of prey Themes: -Time passes quickly -Humans always try to fight mortality Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run. Personification: Time runs away from them instead of chasing them

“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick Metaphor: Rosebuds=getting married Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today Tomorrow will be dying. Personification: Showing passage of time Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may, go marry; For having lost but once your prime, You may forever tarry.