METAPHYSICAL POETRY

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the natural world. It is the study of being and reality. It asks fundamental questions such as: “Is there a God?” and “What is man’s place in the universe?” This study also includes questions of space, time, causality, existence, and possibility.

The known world was growing Metaphysical poetry was a result of excitement of new scientific discoveries, “affecting how people saw themselves in relation to one another, to the world, the universe and God.” Galileo’s telescope confirmed the earth was not the center of the universe The known world was growing American continent discovered 100 years before Bitter divide in The Church Between Roman Catholics (old religion) and Puritans (new religion) the “middle” were the Anglicans (Church of England) Period of violence and civil strife English Revolution *York Notes

Metaphysical poetry was written in the 17th century by British poets Metaphysical poetry was written in the 17th century by British poets. These poets did not term themselves “metaphysical poets;” the name came much later as Samuel Johnson attempted to classify the type of poetry that came from this period.

Metaphysical Poets John Donne George Herbert Henry Vaughan Andrew Marvell Wrote on divergent subjects and points of view

What is a metaphysical poem? 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; about man's relationship with God - the eternal perspective; and, to a less extent, about pleasure, learning and art.

Metaphysical poems are lyric poems. They are brief but intense meditations, characterized by striking use of wit, irony and wordplay. Beneath the formal structure (of rhyme, meter and stanza) is the underlying (and often hardly less formal) structure of the poem's argument. Note that there may be two (or more) kinds of argument in a poem.

Main Characteristics Reflected the intellectual and spiritual crisis of the 17th century. The poet was a “man of wit”, displaying his sensitivity, his knowledge and cleverness.

LOOKING AT THE POEMS’ ARGUMENTS Looking at the poets' technique should, perhaps, begin with a consideration of argument. In a way all of the poems have an argument, but it is interesting or striking in some more than others.

Conceit A conceit is an extended, elaborate metaphor. An extended metaphor is a metaphor that carries on through the entirety of the poem.

Metaphysical Conceit A metaphysical conceit is a conceit where the objects of comparison have no apparent connection. “the assertion that things apparently quite dissimilar are are alike” (York Notes) The author of a metaphysical conceit sets out to prove the justness of an improbable comparison For example, in George Herbert’s poem Praise, he compares God’s generosity to a bottle full of endless tears. Another example is John Donne’s poem The Flea.

IMAGERY You can also consider the imagery used by the poets. Do NOT become bogged down in discussion of single images Consider, rather, the whole range of sources of imagery each uses.

Unusual images taken from all fields of knowledge: history, geography, astronomy, alchemy, mathematics, etc. Look, and tomorrow late, tell me, Whether both the Indias of spice and mine Be where thou left’st them, or lie here with me. Ask for those kings whom thou saw’st yesterday, And thou shalt hear, All here in one bed lay. (John Donne, The Sun Rising)

DONNE’S IMAGERY Donne is eclectic (not wide-ranging) and apparently obscure He did not write for publication, but showed poems to friends whom he supposed to be well-read enough to understand these references Donne's imagery draws on the new (in the late 16th century) learning of the English renaissance and on topical discoveries and exploration We find references to alchemy (transformation of matter), sea-voyages, mythology and religion (among many other things). Certain images or ideas recur so often as to seem typical

Paradox A statement which is apparently contradictory though in some sense true: Take me to you, imprison me, for I Except you enthral me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.   (J. Donne, Batter my heart)

Dramatic Quality Most poems begin in medias res: Go, and catch a falling star, Get with child a mandrake root, Tell me, where all past years are (John Donne, Song)