Metaphysical poetry refers to the poetry of the seventeenthcentury that combines emotion with intellect, often in unconventional or blunt ways, with the goal of understanding the human mind. Metaphysical poets are also very well known for employing a literary device called a conceit. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry i concentration concentration is one of the major features of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poets 1 metaphysical poets john donne, one of the most famous metaphysical poets. The term metaphysical denotes a movement in poetry rather than a type of poetry. While lyrical poetry does tend to have a structure or rhyme scheme, there is not a strict on such as poetry forms like a sonnet. Metaphysical definition is of or relating to metaphysics. This is a term used for a group of 17thcentury poets donne and herbert, vaughan, crashaw, marvell, and othersin america, edward taylor who are not really a school of poetry but simply seem to use very similar poetic techniques. Metaphysical poetry has been one of the most unique genres in english literature owing to a number of aspects. With thee o let me rise as larks, harmoniously, and sing this day thy victories. I think the poem brahma by emerson would be prominently placed under the category of metaphysical or philosophical poems. The use of geometric conceits in exposition of love in.
Here is a short definition, based upon the metaphysical poetry of the seventeenth century. Metaphysical poetry is a vast topic to discuss, but to put in a nutshell, the type of poetry, which is about the correlation between the physical realm and spiritual realm, soul and being, real and conceptual, along with the forms of reality and insight, using the methodologies of philosophy. Elizabethan lyric the elizabethan lyrical poetry is the glory of the age. Unmetaphysical definition of unmetaphysical by the free. Johnson decried its roughness and violation of decorum, the deliberate mixture of different styles. It usually sets up an analogy between one entitys spiritual qualities and an object in the physical world and sometimes controls the whole structure of the poem. Poetry written in england during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 may be referred to as victorian poetry. Metaphysical poet, any of the poets in 17thcentury england who inclined to the personal and intellectual complexity and concentration that is displayed in the poetry of john donne, the chief of the metaphysicals. Metaphysical combines thought or metaphysical speculation with feeling. Metaphysics meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Metaphysical poets a group of 17thcentury poets whose works are marked by philosophical exploration, colloquial diction, ingenious conceits, irony, and metrically flexible lines. Reacting against the deliberately smooth and sweet tones of much 16thcentury verse, the metaphysical poets adopted a style that is energetic, uneven, and rigorous. All the major features of this kind of poetry were so unique that even some terms have been derived to point exclusively towards these aspects. Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man, but the intelligence, learning and seriousness of the poets means that the poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially about love, romantic and sensual.
Metaphysical poetry definition what is metaphysical. John donnes many poems are best examples in this regard. These poets are said not to have met each other or to have communicated in any way, but they share a large amount of similarities. It also was a more realistic variety of poetry and was much less fairytale or fantasy. This is a very broad term, but it joins together a number of 17 th century poets, most notable among them john donne, george herbert, richard crashaw, andrew marvell, henry vaughn and abraham cowley. The hallmark of their poetry is the metaphysical conceit a figure of speech that employs unusual and paradoxical images, a reliance on intellectual wit, learned imagery, and subtle argument. Metaphysical poetry article about metaphysical poetry by. Sweet songs were written and published during this period. Ppt metaphysical poetry powerpoint presentation free. Literary critic and poet samuel johnson first coined the term metaphysical poetry in his book lives of the most eminent english poets 1179. The metaphysical poets are obviously not the only poets to deal with this subject matter, so there are a number.
Eliot 1993 indeed, it would not be possible to give a comprehensive definition of metaphysical poetry or determine the exact number. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Metaphysical definition of metaphysical by merriamwebster. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry in english literature. These poets were not formally affiliated and few were highly regarded until 20th century attention established their importance. Metaphysical poetry is considered highly ambiguous and obscure due to high intellect and knowledge of the metaphysical poets. Metaphysical poetry definition is highly intellectualized poetry marked by bold and ingenious conceits, incongruous imagery, complexity and subtlety of thought, frequent use of paradox, and often by deliberate harshness or rigidity of expression. Metaphysical definition of metaphysical by the free. The term metaphysical poets is believed to be coined by samuel johnson. The hallmark of their poetry is the metaphysical conceit a figure of speech that employs unusual and paradoxical images, a reliance on. Lyric poetry is poetry written in the first person and is generally about deep emotions of an amazing personal experience. Associated with certain british poets of the 17th century, metaphysical poems share characteristics yet do not formally comprise a genre of poetry.
Unmetaphysical definition of unmetaphysical by the free dictionary. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Literary genres and subgenres fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry video and worksheet duration. Metaphysical poetry is the name given to a style of poetry from the seventeenth century. Metaphysical poetry, a term generally applied to the works of a group of english poets of the seventeenth century, is among the most read and studied verse in english literature, having proved enduringly popular and major influence on many twentiethcentury poets. John donne and metaphysical poetry the british library. The reader is held to an idea or a line or argument. It needs deep concentration and full attention to get to the roots of the matter. Themes used in metaphysical poetry lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, though foolishly he lost the same, decaying more and more, till he became most poore. Andrew marvell, metaphysical poetry, conceits, complexity, allusions. Others include henry vaughan, andrew marvell, john cleveland, and abraham cowley as. A metaphysical poem tends to be short and is always closely woven and so there is some truth when it is said a metaphysical poem is an expanded epigram. In metaphysical poetry, an obvious use of sex and sexual innuendos is prevalent, as opposed to earlier times when it was rarely even mentioned.
A comparative study of amichai, one of israels leading poets and the most translated one, and the english metaphysical poets of the 17th century, notably donne, may help us to appreciate and to. This is a short introducution to metaphysical poetry and john donne. I attempt, hazardously perhaps, to include all the poetry that is pertinent, and to exclude all that is not truly metaphysical. All of those types of poetry have specific qualities that allow us to group them together. Most metaphysical poetry was written by english men of a middle or upper class level who were involved with the english church and clergy. Essay on techniques used in the writing of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical definition and meaning collins english. This term metaphysical, used by dryden, adopted by johnson, was first used as a convenient term, and as much defined by the material in hand, as defining it. Other articles where metaphysical conceit is discussed. The term metaphysics comes from aristotle it means a science which investigates being as being ie reality rather than poetic convention. Herberts poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognized as a pivotal figure. Their poetry is greatly challenging to understand at first reading. The metaphysical poets, who wrote during the first three quarters of the 17th. Some of metaphysical poets include john donne, edward taylor, george herbert, and andrew marvell.
Metaphysical poetry eludes all attempts at definition, and the critics have. Metaphysical poetry definition top 5 metaphysical poets. Metaphysical poetry the term metaphysical is used to designate the work of 17thcentury writers who were part of a school of poets using similar methods and who revolted against the romantic conventionalism of elizabethan love poetry, in particular the petrarchan conceit. Though the name itself is a misnomer, but by the term metaphysical poetry we do not only understand the poetry written by john donne and a few other followers, including george herbert, john cleveland, richard crashaw, henry vaughan, andrew marvell, and abraham cowley in the 17th century. Donne is often said to be first metaphysical poet, and donnes genius for original, intellectually complex poetry certainly helped to set the trend for the poetry that followed him. Metaphysical poetry is a paradoxical inquiry, imaginative and intellectual, which exhausts, by its use of antithesis and contradic. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Metaphysical poetry to religious debate, astrology, alchemy, seadiscovery and philosophy illustrates the intellectual excitement of the age. Donne was not a conscious reviver of dantes metaphysics and consequently this definition does not throw much light on the nature of metaphysical poetry. Pdf on sep 17, 20, sibaprasad dutta and others published. Chapter iii ts eliot and metaphysical poetry shodhganga.
Metaphysical poetry metaphysical poetry in english literature. The metaphysical conceit, associated with the metaphysical poets of the 17th century, is a more intricate and intellectual device. The language, used by metaphysical poets is highly evocative and infused with multidimensional meaning. Metaphysical poetrymid16th century mid17th century 2. Metaphysical poetry definition of metaphysical poetry by. The term metaphysical poets was coined by the critic samuel johnson to describe a loose group of 17thcentury english poets whose work was characterized by the inventive use of conceits, and by a greater emphasis on the spoken rather than lyrical quality of their verse. This school of poetry, more than most others, demands close reading and intelligent decoding of poetic works. Definition of metaphysical poetry youve probably heard of haikus, lyrical poems and limericks. It is clearly not exhaustive, but, at the moment, it seems the best of the competition.
In those days wit was the ability to make up unusual metaphors and images and arrange them in an unexpected way so as to surprise. The definition of love is an ironic game more a love of definition let loose. George herbert 3 april 1593 1 march 1633 was a welshborn english poet, orator and anglican priest. The metaphysical poets is a term coined by the poet and critic samuel johnson to describe a loose group of british lyric poets of the 17th century, whose work was characterized by the inventive use of.
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