1. 17th Century Poetry Metaphysical Poetry
“a term applied to the poetry of John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and other Seventeenth –century poets who wrote in a similarly difficult and abstract style. Metaphysical poetry – intellectual and detached in contrast to the Elizabethan love poetry that preceded it, distinguished by ingenious, obscure imagery , philosophical meditation, rough –sounding meter, and verbal wit” (1197).
Elements of Literature, 6th Course.

2. John Donne Literary Devices
Elegy – poem that mourns the death of a person or laments something lost
Satire
Metaphor
Extended metaphor – unusual and different ideas combined to compare one thing with another and using imagery (ideas are very unlikely and surprising)
Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration
Figurative language – imagery, personification, simile
Conceit – fanciful and elaborate figure of speech that makes a surprising connections between two seemingly dissimilar things
Metaphysical conceit -used by 17th Century poets, startling, complex and ingenious
Tone
Speaker – imaginary voice, or persona assumed by the author of a poem.

3. John Donne 1572-1631 Writing Revealed: Songs & Sonnets Loves Illusions
Elegy/Death
Catholic versus Protestant
Social & Cultural Ideals

4. John Donne’s home in English Village of Pyrford

5. John Donne From Songs and Sonnets – “The Flea” (1263)
“Love’s Alchemy” (1272)
“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” (1275)
“Meditation 17” (1305)

6. “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” (1275)
Vocabulary
Profanation
Laity
Moving of th’ earth
Meant
Trepidation of the spheres
Innocent
Sublunary
Soul
Elemented
Breach
Obliquely
Firmness
Just

7. “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” (1275) Activity
Idioms and Archaic Expressions
Pass away – die
Whilst – while
‘twere – it were
Reckon – guess, figure out
Hearkens – listens
Activity:
Identify three challenging stanzas, lines, or metaphors in the poem and offer your own interpretation of them.

8. “Meditation 17” (1305)
Last Partings – “There is one valediction that everyone must make” one parting and passage that time holds in store for all of us, whether we prepare ourselves for the journey or not. In 1624, prompted by a serious illness, Donne wrote a series of meditations. The opening of this one refers to the practice, in Donne’s time, of ringing church bells to announce the death of a parish member” (Elements of Literature, 6th Course, 250)

9. “Meditation 17” (1305)
Journal Responses 1. Are there any ideas in Donne’s meditation that you find puzzling or hard to accept or understand? Why? 2. How would you explain what Donne means by saying “the bell…tolls for thee” ? 3. Which lines from Meditation 17 do you think are particularly relevant to life today: in your community, the United States or in the “global community”? 4. Listen to choral music, The Lamentations of Jeremiah – Write a paragraph or two comparing the spirit and fervor of Donne’s verse with the emotions expressed in Thomas Tallis’s composition. 5. Write an elegy to a person, place, or thing.

10. Benjamin (Ben) Jonson (1572 – 1637)
Dramatist, Poet, and Actor
If not for William Shakespeare Ben Jonson would have been known as Chief dramatist of his age.
Mermaid Tavern – met with other poets (Shakespeare, Donne)
Member of English Army
Tough, violent life, brushes with law—
Opinionated, yet respected literary dramatist and poet

11. Literary Devices/Archaic Words
Ben Jonson
Literary Devices/Archaic Words
Epigram – written to give permanence to an event or observation- it was pointed, polished, and striking - short poems.
2. Interpretations –
3. Irony/ironic
4. Pledge – to promise
5. Doth – does
6. Sup – to take a mouthful

12. Ben Jonson “On My First Son”
Look up the definition of bond and discuss the meaning with a partner.
What does the word bond mean to you?
When you hear the word love, do you first think of romantic love or do you think of friends and family? Are the bonds the same or different for romantic love and the love for friends and family?

13. Ben Jonson “Song: to Celia”
It is not easy to find ways to talk about love. How do characters in movies and television shows manage it? Think of one or two characters, and try to recall how each expresses, explains, or describes his or her feelings.
What seemingly insignificant object –like the wreath returned by the speaker in “To Celia” – is nevertheless priceless to you because of the association it evokes? Why is it priceless to you? Be sure to choose something you do not mind sharing with others.

14. Literary Vocabulary Dramatic Irony Carpe Diem
Idioms (Used in Twelfth Night)
Blank Verse
Extended Metaphor
Allusion