1. The Renaissance Poetry
Metaphysical poets

2. Metaphysical poets
A group of intellectual, highly-educated, and religious poets started to challenge the Rules of Decorum
They started to write a new type of poetry called ‘metaphysical poetry’.
Metaphysical poets were interested in all scientific and geographical explorations in the world around them.
So, their poetry is full of very modern ideas, original imageries, and a kind of inner conflict (like the soliloquies of Shakespeare’s troubles heroes).

3. Metaphysical poets
Metaphysical poets are known for their strange analogies, complex poetry, and destroyed meter.
Metaphysical poets often wrote about religious themes discussing their personal relations to God.
Metaphysical poetry is different from the idealism of Elizabethan poetry. It reflects the experience of doubt and hopelessness, as well as the pleasure of life.

4. Metaphysical poets
The English critic Samuel Johnson gave them the name metaphysical in the 18th century, but he did not admire their poetry because he found it complex and difficult.
In the twentieth century, however, the poet and critic T.S. Eliot showed how important these poets were.
He recognized their poetry as “autonomous supercilious style of composition”.

5. John Donne
John Donne was a famous churchman who wrote poetry from the 1590s and onward, but his poems were published in 1633.
Donne wrote poetry as other poets who were adopting the classical rules of decorum in writing poetry.
But Donne was a modernist poet who sought to change both the content and form of poetry.
For that, Neo-classical poets/critics did not like Donne and framed him negatively.
Thanks to 20th century poet and critic T. S. Eliot who appreciated Donne’s school.

6. John Donne 1572 -1631 Batter my heart, three-person'd God, ….for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
(Donne’s Holy Sonnets)
What are the metaphysical features available here?
How are these lines against the norms of composing poetry of Donne’s time?

7. John Donne 1572 -1631 Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
(Donne’s The Bait)
This line reveals that John Donne was aware of his new style and content. He challenged society and the Rules of Decorum.
How does John Donne criticize/challenge society here? (intertextuality/parody)

8. Donne vs. Marlowe Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove, (Marlowe’s The Passionate Shepherded to His Love)
Marlowe is more idealistic.
He describes the courtly love theme.
Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
(Donne’s The Bait)
This poem is a parody for Marlowe.
He is more realistic than Donne.

9. In summary…
John Donne started a new school of writing poetry. His poetry was recognized as good long time after his death.
He invented a new poetic form– the meaning is superior to form.
He was a realistic poet.
Done challenged his society and the rules of composing poetry. He used parody and intertextuality to criticize society.
His poetry is complex, witty, and intellectual.
He excessively uses paradoxes, puns, colloquial expressions, and conceits (prolonged and strange analogy between heterogeneous ideas).
Donne was knows for his argumentative style.

10. George Herbert
George Herbert was a churchman too, and his poetry was published after his death.

11. Easter Wings
Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he became Most poore: With thee O let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

12. Easter Wings
My tender age in sorrow did beginne And still with sicknesses and shame. Thou didst so punish sinne, That I became Most thinne. With thee Let me combine, And feel thy victorie: For, if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

13. Andrew Marvell 1621-1678 Had we but world enough and time,
Marvell was probably is the most important poet of the late metaphysical poets.
He brought together both religious and secular themes, the poetry of nature, and the old Elizabethan concern with time.
Had we but world enough and time, 
This coyness, lady, were no crime. …
But at my back I always hear 
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
(His Coy Mistress)
Is the speaker respectful to women her?
What is metaphysical here? Argumentative style & strange analogy