Metaphysical poetry

literature, metaphysical poetry, John Donne

1. CharacterIstics of MetaPhysical Poetry prepared by nidhi dave Paper -1 Literature of the Elizabethan and restoration periods Topic : characteristics of metaphysical poetry Ma sem :1 Submitted to: department of english , MKBU

2. What is metaphysical poetry? A group of poets emerged in the beginning of the seventeenth century, whose poetry come to be know as the metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical : literally “ meta” means beyond and “physic” means physical nature. A word metaphysical first time used by Dr. Johnson in “ The Lives of poet”

3. Definition of metaphysical poetry: “ 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.”

4. History of metaphysical poetry:- John Donne was the founder of the Metaphyasical poetry . He tried to write poetry in a different way. The name ‘metaphysical poetry’ is given Dr. Samuel Johnson for the first time. When wrote he the life of Abraham Cowley in his book “The Lives ’’. But used it in a negative sense to Criticize the poetry of Donne and his followers but the same term became a mark APPRAISAL of the metaphysical poetry.

5. Major metaphysical poets:- John Donne George Herbert Henry Vaughan Richard Crashaw Andrew Marvell Abraham Cowley John Hall

6. Metaphysical poetry:- To His coy Mistress The collar The sun Rising The flea The dream Death ,Be Not Proud Sweetest love I Not go The Ecstacy

7. Characteristics of poetry highlighted by Dr. Johnson:- * Conscious Attempt:- All the metaphysical poet made a conscious attempt differ from the poetry of farmer poets and they try to differ both in the matter and the manner of writing poetry. * Dramatic manner and direct tone of speech:- Is one of the main characteristics of metaphysical poetry. in the starting line of the poem “ The Canonization .’’ there is given a dramatic starting “For Gods sake hold your tongue and let me love”

8. * Display of scholarship:- All the metaphysical poets tried to display there scholarship through there poems they were university gradutes and men of learning. * Usage of satire and irony: - Is another characteristic or metaphysical poetry. Donne also uses this in his poems.

9. Wit:- wit is another characteristic of metaphysical poetry. So, here we find various allusions and images relating to practicality all areas of nature and art and learning – to medicine, cosmology, contemporary discoveries, ancient myth, history, law and art. Platonic love:- platonic love is another feature of meta physical poetry. Platonic love means, spiritual love, which is free element of physic love.

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