“How does John Donne use his metaphysical style to show pragmatic and platonic aspects in love poetry? ” Individual Oral Presentation International Baccalaureate English A1 Francesco Sciortino Dallam School

Content Choice of the topic Metaphysical poetry Why writing another poem Imaginary background of the poem First reading of the poem Explanation of the style, expressions and conceits Conclusion “How does John Donne use his metaphysical style to show pragmatic and platonic aspects in love poetry?”

Contrast between science and love Harmonization of pragmatic and platonic love by John Donne Out of scheme of the time in which the author was living Avant-garde of a new kind of poetry Choice of the topic “How does John Donne use his metaphysical style to show pragmatic and platonic aspects in love poetry?”

Metaphysical poetry “Looking beyond the palpable” Georg Lukács, Hungarian Marxist critic “They...sometimes stuck out unexpected truth" Samuel Johnson, English writer and critic Poetic movement, born in the 17 th century – interest in changing times and new sciences. Use of conceits  comparing a spiritual aspect to a concrete object Mockery of idealized, sentimental poetry Gross exaggeration (hyperbole) and presentation of a logical argument Expression of personal, private feelings

Why did I write another poem? Representing a larger portion of John Donne`s poetry Highlighting literary features Going into the depths of the author`s way of thinking Showing pragmatic and platonic love in the same poem Describing historical context Showing relationship between Donne and his wife Imagined context of my poem Ann More has just died John Donne is desperate because he lost his wife and mistress He is living in poverty He has got to feed and educate his many children His job is not providing enough money

A Valediction: farewell maidenhead Com`in my life, thou drowned in my sore, Once were a lord and now thou were weak Thou tick, thou sucking went sick! `Twas never me alone, thou always were more. No lord or king, no bishop, pope or saint Nobody will return me thy angelic shape Nobody will then let me again inside My heaven, which I only lived in thy. Death is the ocean I can`t cross: Our compass of love won`t expand so much, Neither the Armada could get back my loss. Yes, the best moments I did catch, Still I remember thy body and its toss: Forever in my heart will be a nonesuch. Valediction  Recurring term Farewell  Ann More is dead Maidenhead  innocence and virginity A B B A C C D D E F E F E F Changing and jammed rhythms   casual speech "Donne, for not keeping of accent, deserved hanging” Ben Johnson

Com`in my life, thou drowned in my sore, Once were a lord and now thou were weak Thou tick, thou sucking went sick! `Twas never me alone, thou always were more. […] Abbreviations, alliterations and repetitions Ann More became poor after marrying John Donne Conceit: a tick, sticking at someone and sucking blood for a long time Spiritual love: perfection of the couple Valediction: forbidding mourning “Whilst some of their sad friends do say,” (line 3) “Dull sublunary lovers' love” (line 13)

[…] No lord or king, no bishop, pope or saint Nobody will return me thy angelic shape Nobody will then let me again inside My heaven, which I only lived in thy. […] Climax --> showing political and religious indecision Shape: appearance of senses Enjambments, anaphora, paradoxes The dreame “[…] Yet I thought thee —For thou lovest truth—an angel, at first sight ; But when I saw thou saw'st my heart, And knew'st my thoughts beyond an angel's art, […]” Valediction: forbidding mourning “[…]Our two souls therefore, which are one, […]”

[…] Death is the ocean I can`t cross: Our compass of love won`t expand so much, Neither the Armada could get back my loss. […] End of relationship Discoveries Conceit of the compass Historical references “Look, and to-morrow late tell me, Whether both th`Indias of spice and mine […]” “[…]O, my America, my Newfoundland,[…] How am I blest in thus discovering thee ! […]” “[…] If they be two, they are two so As stiff twin compasses are two ; Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show To move, but doth, if th`other do. […]”

[…] Yes, the best moments I did catch, Still I remember thy body and its toss: Forever in my heart will be a nonesuch. Elegy XX: To his mistress going to bed “Licence my roving hands, and let them go Before, behind, between, above, below.” Valediction: forbidding mourning “But we by a love so much refined, That ourselves know not what it is, Inter-assured of the mind, Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss.” Unique love Sexual meaning

Master of conceits Literary features Well-known images of the 17 th century Intriguing to read Complex to imitate “How does John Donne use his metaphysical style to show pragmatic and platonic aspects in love poetry?”