1. METAPHYSICAL POETRY

2. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the natural world.
It is the study of being and reality.
It asks fundamental questions such as: “Is there a God?” and “What is man’s place in the universe?”

3. Written in the 17th century by British poets.
Did not term themselves “metaphysical poets”
Samuel Johnson – literary theorist who classified the type of poetry that came from this period.

4. What is a metaphysical poem?
Brief but intense meditations
Discuss deeply emotional or philosophical issues
Subject Matter:
love, romantic and sensual
man's relationship with God
pleasure, learning and art.
Intelligent and serious in tone
Lyric (rhyming)
Make an argument.

5. JOHN DONNE Born in London in 1572 Prosperous Catholic family.
Father died suddenly in 1576
Raised by single mother of 3
From 11-14, Donne studied at the University of Oxford
Spent the next 3 years at the University of Cambridge
No degree at either university
Refuse to take the Oath of Supremacy
Studied law
Spent his large inheritance on women, books, theatre, and travels.

6. 1593, his brother died in prison after giving sanctuary to a Catholic priest.
This made Donne begin to question his faith.
Became a Member of Parliament and sat in Queen Elizabeth’s last Parliament.
Secretly married a noble’s daughter (career suicide).
Thrown in prison for weeks/Dismissed from his post
Struggled with poverty to support his growing family

7. At age of forty, publicly renounces the Catholic faith.
Refused to take Anglican orders either
In 1615, reluctantly entered the ministry due to lack of work.
Ironically, Donne's style, full of elaborate metaphors and religious symbolism, his flair for drama, and his quick wit soon established him as one of the greatest preachers of the era.

8. 1617, His wife dies survived by 7 children
Holy Sonnets – Written between during a time of great emotional stress. These sonnets examine such questions as the purpose of life and death.

9. Holy Sonnet 10
A Death, be not proud, though some have called thee B Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so ; B For those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow, A Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. A From rest and sleep, which but thy picture[s] be, B Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow, B And soonest our best men with thee do go, A Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
C Thou'rt slave to Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, D And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell, D And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well, C And better than thy stroke ;  why swell'st thou then ? A One short sleep past, we wake eternally, A And Death shall be no more ;  Death, thou shalt die.

10. Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Text
Analysis
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so ;
For those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
The comma after death indicates that the speaker is speaking directly to Death personified (1). He warns death not to be too proud of himself although some people fear him (2). He contradicts the notion that Death is mighty and dreadful, by saying that those people that seem to be dead are not really dead (2-4). The speaker also does not believe that death can truly kill him either (4).
The speaker is examining an important philosophical question: What does it truly mean to die?

11. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Text
Analysis
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Death appears to the speaker to be no more than the appearance of sleep and restfulness (5-6). The speaker states that out of death comes something “much more,” indicating that when we die we gain something (6). He states that even though the best of men all go to their deaths, it is simply a rest for their physical forms and allows the soul to be delivered to the afterlife (7-8).
In this portion, the speaker beginning to probe at the nature of death and seems to be of the opinion that death’s power is an illusion. He discusses the issue of the soul’s transcendence and hints at the existence of an afterlife.

12. Thou'rt slave to Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
Text
Analysis
Thou'rt slave to Fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke ;  why swell'st thou then ?
Death has no will of its own but is completely dependent on fate and the acts of men (9). The speaker states that Death lives amongst things such as poison, war, and sickness, all things with negative connotations (10). He also states that poppies and other remedies can make people sleep far more deeply than death (11-12). He then asks death why, in that case, he swells so much with pride (12). This helps to emphasize the idea started in the first line that Death has no reason to be proud.
In this portion, the speaker explains away death as something powerless. He advances his idea that death is nothing to fear.

13. One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
Text
Analysis
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And Death shall be no more;  Death, thou shalt die.
Death is compared here to a short sleep; the speaker explains that when we wake from that short sleep, we will have passed into everlasting life (13). When we awake in this manner in the afterlife, nothing can ever take our lives away again (14). Without lives to claim, death loses its purpose. Death, in essence dies (14).
The speaker uses the poem to ponder his own existence, the nature of life and death, the existence of an afterlife.
Potential themes?