Metaphysical, Cavalier, and Puritan Poetry

Metaphysical Poetry Metaphysical = after or following the physical; a branch of philosophy that seeks to know what is truly “real” Characteristics: Use of argument: appeals to intellect and emotions Use of comparison: metaphysical conceit (extended metaphor that compares 2 very unlike things) Use of language: plain style

John Donne B. 1572; Roman Catholic at a time when England was anti-Catholic “Conceited verses” written in younger years (“The Flea”) Poor (lost his government position due to scandal); became very depressed

John Donne Friends urged him to enter the ministry because of the power of his religious poems Became a minister at 43; soon became chaplain to King James I By the time he died (1631), was considered the greatest preacher in England

“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” Valediction = farewell statement Written for his wife just before he left for France; purpose was to ease his wife’s fears of a premonition she had about his trip Metaphysical conceit = lovers to the feet of a compass

“Death Be Not Proud” Written soon after his wife’s death Donne’s thoughts on immortality and religious faith Personification

“Meditation 17” At age 51, Donne became seriously ill Wrote “Meditation 17” as he was recovering Meditation = short sermon; expresses his thoughts on his illness and experience Bells = signal death; villagers knew to pray for the soul of the dead/dying Extended metaphysical conceit

Ben Jonson Large man; fiery temper Self-taught (no money for formal education); apprenticed with a bricklayer, entered army Began acting/writing in early 20s First big success at age 26 (play that featured Shakespeare in a leading role)

Ben Jonson Killed a fellow actor in a duel and was sentenced to death Because he could read Latin, was allowed to be tried in church court Church court overturned death sentence; branded on the thumb as a convicted felon Resented comparisons to Shakespeare (Jonson was more respected at the time) Age 49—King James I gave him a lifetime pension (he’d always be able to write) Took a year off, but when he returned, his writing had gone out of style; spent the last 20 years of his life trying to regain his former status

“On My First Son” / “Song: To Celia” Elegy = poem expressing mourning Son, Benjamin, died of the plague in 1603, on his 7th birthday “Benjamin” (Hebrew) = “Child of my right hand” Unrequited love Ambrosia = drink of the gods (immortality)

Cavalier Poetry Writers affiliated with King Charles I’s court Characteristics: Carpe diem = “seize the day” Intended to entertain audience rather than instruct it Conversational style Popular themes were love and loyalty Could be serious or sarcastic

Robert Herrick Anglican priest Needed money; took a ministerial job in a quiet country parish far from London Was miserable and lonely, so he turned to poetry Wrote poems to his pet pig, cat, dog, maid, neighbors, and imaginary girlfriends After many years and 1200 poems, returned to London; wasn’t able to publish his poetry London had changed; took his old parish job back 10 years later “To the Virgins, Make Much of Time”

Andrew Marvell Brilliant writer of lyric poetry and prose Always managed to land on his feet, no matter what political upheavals took place (good connections)

“To His Coy Mistress” “Coy” = flirty but shy “Mistress” = ma’am, miss; sometimes sweetheart Published after his death; his maid had it published, and in the introduction she described him as her husband (secret marriage) Few believed this, never proven

The Puritans Wanted to “purify” the Church of England by eliminating Roman Catholic traditions Puritans = Protestants Protestants rejected belief in the Pope Didn’t like the “top-to-bottom” hierarchy of the RC church; wanted “bottom-to-top” Elizabeth I, James I tolerated Puritans; Charles I wanted to bring back RC traditions, so some Puritans left for America

The Puritans Puritans who stayed in England gained political power 1649—King Charles I found guilty of treason; beheaded Commonwealth (new government) headed by Oliver Cromwell Tried to make English society conform to their strict Puritan beliefs (no holiday celebrations, no dancing, no playing chess, no public theaters) Commonwealth was unpopular; in 1660, monarchy was restored (Charles II)

John Bunyan Grew up in poverty Only received a very basic education; left school at an early age to work Grew up to be one of England’s best-known nonconformist preachers Arrested for preaching without a license at the age of 32

John Bunyan Refused to renounce his faith; spent 12 years in prison Pardoned at the age of 42 Arrested again 4 years later and imprisoned again for his beliefs

The Pilgrim’s Progress allegory—work in which characters and settings are symbols aimed at teaching a moral lesson Character names indicate the quality they represent Main character is named Christian; on a journey to the Celestial City Christian meets Faithful, who joins him on the journey. Together, they stop at the town of Vanity.

John Milton Declared at age 21 he’d be a “great poet” At 30 he traveled to Europe to study; religious/political upheavals called him home Gave up all other writing to create pamphlets in defense of religious and civil freedoms Neglected poetry for 20 years (held govt positions) Went blind at age 44

John Milton In 1660 (end of Commonwealth), had time to devote to writing (was 52) Charles II had him arrested as a traitor; friends in high places saved him from hanging, but he had to pay heavy fines that left him broke Dictated Paradise Lost to his daughters

Paradise Lost Epic poem = long narrative poem that tells, in a serious tone and stately language, heroic exploits and dramatic events Begins with an invocation of the Muse and a statement of purpose 10,565 lines long Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)

Paradise Lost Depicts the fall of Adam and Eve Satan (as a snake) tempts Adam and Eve to commit original sin (eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge) Also gives background: a description of Hell at the time Satan and other rebellious angels were first driven from Heaven Paradise Regained, his next epic poem, depicts Christ’s temptation