Metaphysical Poetry

Metaphysical Poetry

Reflective Learning

[1] Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry with Explanation of a few metaphysical poetry written by John Donne as well as any other Metaphysical Poet

In our English Literature, there are various types of division according to its period like Anglo-Saxon poetry, classical poetry, neoclassical poetry, metaphysical poetry, romantic poetry, modern poetry and so many other. During the first half of 17^th century, a group of people emerges who wanted to prove their wit, scholarship and learning & Samuel Johnson was the first who commented upon John Donne and his school. Metaphysical Poetry is a kind of poetry which is beyond the physical and used simile and metaphor which nothing to do with the theme. They used farfetched images and made conscious attempt.

Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry

1. Themes ·         Spiritual & has often religious theme ·         Focuses on love, as the union of soul 2. Literary Devices ·         Uses metaphors, puns, paradoxes & meter to create drama and tension ·         Uses scientific, medical & legal words & phrases to create arguments about the philosophical aspect of life 3. Poets ·         Man of high intellect ·         All were graduated ·         Presented new ideas & stories to their readers ·         Wanted to prove their wit, learning & scholarship ·         John Donne is the pioneer 4. Meaning of the poetry ·         Epigrammatic quality is part & parcel of this poetry 5.  Metaphysical Conceit ·         Significant feature ·         Comparison of two dissimilar things, which may have very little in common 6. Wit ·         Expression of one’s idea & thoughts, using aptly & technically, the words & various figures of speech in such a manner as to provide pleasure ·         John Donne is called “Monarch of Wit” 7. Originality ·         Hallmark of metaphysical poets ·         Didn’t follow the path of contemporary poets ·         Stood against their contemporaries & followed their own way of writing poetry 8. Short Poems ·         is considered to be brief & concise ·         Each and every line conveys a meaning ·         No wastage of words ·         Every word is adjusted in every line like a brick in a wall 9. Platonic Love ·         Spiritual love ·         Free from elements of physical love

    John Donne and his poetry

John Donne is the pioneer of Metaphysical Poetry. Thematic analysis of Donne’s poetry- especially love poems have unique way of expression. Many of his poems are sensual. In adfing this, his poetry expounds the concept of love in a very innovative and ingenuous way. Let’s try to illustrate this through his poems.

1.	Ardent love ·        Donne’s poetry is full of passion and enthusiastic. ·        For example… Busie old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus,  Through windows, and through curtaines call on us?  (The Sun Rising)
2.	Flirtatious Love For example… Difference of sex no more we knew Than our guardian angels do;  Coming and going us Perchance might kiss,  but not between those meals, Our hands ne’er touched the seals Which nature,  injured by late law, sets free These miracles we did; but now alas All measure and all language should pass Should  I tell what a miracle she was? She’s all States and all Princes, I, Nothing else is. (The Sun Rising)
3.	Carnal Love ·        He give his justification to account for the need of canal love as he says that soul cannot exist without a body as spiritual love is improbable without bodily love. ·        For example… Enter these armes, for since thou thoughtst it best, Not to dream all my dream, let’s act the rest. (The Dream)
4.	Brutal Love ·        His love is brutal not feeling ashamed of giving verisimilitude to a flea. ·        For example… It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee,  And in this flea our two bloods mingled are.  Cruel and sudden, hast thou since Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?  Wherein could this flea guilty be, Except in that drop which it suck'd from thee?  (The Flee)

[2] If you can write creative poems, try to rewrite or create new metaphysical poem in either English or Gujarati or Hindi or Sanskrit language.

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