1. Renaissance Poetry John Donne 1572-1631
Metaphysical Poetry
Prose

2. METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507) What is the definition of metaphysical?
“of or relating to the transcendent”
“reality beyond what is perceptible”
“abstract and theoretical reasoning”

3. METAPHYSICAL Transcendent-
Extending beyond the limits of ordinary experience and knowledge
Theoretical-
Abstract, confined to speculation (ponder the possibility rather than able to demonstrate)
Devotional-
Religious
Mystical-
Spiritual communication with God

4. METAPHYSICAL (p )
What is the goal/purpose of the metaphysical poets?
The expression of feeling and spiritual devotion through techniques often associated with prose (argument, rhetoric, logic) rather than poetry.
To experiment with language in an attempt to represent the complexity of life

5. METAPHYSICAL (p )
What are the key characteristics of metaphysical poetry?
Simple vocabulary
Metaphysical conceits
Inconsistent poetic meter
Witty word play
Use of logic/reasoning
Set up as an argument, uses rhetorical devices

6. METAPHYSICAL (p )
What were the primary criticisms made about the metaphysics?
Use poetry just to “show off” knowledge
Uses logic where emotion should rule
Difficult to understand
Disrupts poetic meter

7. COMPARE/CONTRAST Complete the chart
ELIZABETHAN
METAPHYSICAL
Ornamental diction
Natural images
Heartfelt emotion
Regular meter
Focus on love and nature
Two-word paradoxes such as “Sweet Sorrow”
Uses comparisons considered “poetic” such as love to a rose or the sea
Plain diction
Unusual images
Wit and intellect/logic
Irregular meter
Often about faith and death (even when about love)
Jarring and elaborate paradoxes such as love/hate
Use of metaphysical conceits-unexpected, more “intellectual” and less “poetical”

8. Biographical information A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
John Donne
Biographical information
Meditation 17
Holy Sonnet 10
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

9. TERMS REVIEW- Metaphysical Conceit
Definition
Explain the metaphysical conceit in the following:
Other artists seek success,
But she found it a deceptive goal-
A steep bridge full of pain and stress,
Hard to cross, and not worth the toll.