metaphysical_poetry about hostory of English

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1. 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? ” This study also includes questions of space, time, causality, existence, and possibility.

2. Metaphysical poetry was written in the 17 th century by British poets. These poets did not term themselves “ metaphysical poets; ” the name came much later as Samuel Johnson attempted to classify the type of poetry that came from this period.

3. Who first coined the term “metaphysical poet”? The term "Metaphysical Poet" was first coined by the critic Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) and he used it as a disparaging term. Earlier, John Dryden had also been critical of the group of poets he grouped together as too proud of their wit.

4. Geschke /British Literature Introduction to The Renaissance Poetry The poetry of the seventeenth century can be described as the expression of two main styles or approaches Metaphysical Poets Classical and Conservative Style

5. What is metaphysical poetry? By itself, metaphysical means dealing with the relationship between spirit to matter or the ultimate nature of reality.

6. concerned with the fundamental problems of the nature of the universe and man’s function or place in life 1. Meaning of metaphysical Metaphysical poetry METAPHYSICAL Only Connect ... New Directions

7. Reflected the intellectual and spiritual crisis of the 17 th century. 2. Main characteristics John Donne , after a miniature by Isaac Oliver, 1616. Metaphysical poetry The poet was a man of “wit” , displaying his sensitivity, his knowledge and cleverness . Illustrates and develops ideas in a detailed and over-complex way, often with an effect of shock or surprise The leading poet was John Donne .

8. Unusual images taken from all fields of knowledge: history, geography, astronomy, alchemy, mathematics, etc. Look, and tomorrow late, tell me, Whether both the Indias of spice and mine Be where thou left’st them, or lie here with me. Ask for those kings whom thou saw’st yesterday, And thou shalt hear, All here in one bed lay. (John Donne, The Sun Rising ) Metaphysical poetry

9. METAPHYSICAL POETRY - QUALITIES The Metaphysical poets are obviously not the only poets to deal with these subject matters, so here are some qualities that define the movement : Poems presented in the form of an argument Use of ordinary speech mixed with puns Use of scientific terminology Paradoxes and Conceits

10. Take me to you, imprison me , for I Except you enthral me , never shall be free , Nor ever chaste , except you ravish me.   ( J. Donne, Batter my heart ) Paradox : A statement which is apparently contradictory though in some sense true: Metaphysical poetry Only Connect ... New Directions

11. METAPHYSICAL POETRY - THE CONCEIT A conceit is an extended metaphor that often relies on logic (or manipulates it to prove a point) A conceit offers unconventional and surprising comparisons, and in doing so, they encourage the reader to see the subject in a whole new light For the metaphysical poets, the most common subjects of these conceits were love/a lover and God/faith

12. Conceit A conceit is an extended, elaborate metaphor . An extended metaphor is a metaphor that carries on through the entirety of the poem.

13. Metaphysical Conceit A metaphysical conceit is a conceit where the objects of comparison have no apparent connection . “ the assertion that things apparently quite dissimilar are alike ” (York Notes) The author of a metaphysical conceit sets out to prove the justness of an improbable comparison

14. Geschke/British Literature Introduction to The Renaissance Poetry Metaphysical Poets Used extended, highly intellectualized images often drawn from scholastic philosophy or metaphysics Also referred to as the School of Donne, after John Donne, the most significant metaphysical poet The metaphysical poem is more argumentative in tone Its meter is usually varied, irregular, even deliberately rough and harsh It often depends on conceits Extended metaphors

15. Metaphysical Poets John Donne George Herbert Henry Vaughan Andrew Marvell

16. Geschke/British Literature Introduction to The Renaissance Poetry John Donne 1572-1631 Most significant metaphysical poet

17. JOHN DONNE Born in London in 1572 to a prosperous Catholic family. Well educated. Donne's father died suddenly in 1576, and left the three children to be raised by their mother, Elizabeth. At the age of 11, Donne and his younger brother Henry were entered at Hart Hall , University of Oxford, where Donne studied for three years. He spent the next three years at the University of Cambridge , but took no degree at either university because he would not take the Oath of Supremacy* required at graduation . ( but no degrees due to religious requirements ) *swearing allegiance to the monarch as Supreme Governor of the Church of England; renouncing faith

18. He was admitted to study law as a member of Thavies Inn (1591) and Lincoln ’ s Inn (1592)(big party school), He wants in English society and government. Wants to get a job. In 1593, Donne's brother Henry died of a fever in prison after being arrested for giving sanctuary to a proscribed Catholic priest. Donne felt guilty about brother ’ s death This made Donne begin to question his faith . His first book of poems, Satires , written during this period of residence in London, is considered one of Donne's most important literary efforts. Although not immediately published, the volume had a fairly wide readership through private circulation of the manuscript. Same was the case with his love poems, Songs and Sonnets , assumed to be written at about the same time as the Satires.

19. Having inherited a considerable fortune (at age 21) , young "Jack Donne" spent his money on books , at the theatre , and on travels . In 1596, Donne became involved in naval expeditions in service to Sir Thomas Egerton, lord keeper of England . Upon his return to England in 1598 , Donne was appointed private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton and afterward Lord Ellesmere. ( At age 25 )

20. Donne was beginning a promising career. In 1601, Donne became MP (Member of Parliament) for Brackley , and sat in Queen Elizabeth ’ s last Parliament. In the same year, he secretly married Lady Egerton's niece, seventeen-year-old Anne More , daughter of Sir George More, Lieutenant of the Tower, and effectively committed career suicide . ( lost his job and lived in poverty )

21. Sir George had Donne thrown in Fleet Prison for some weeks . Donne was dismissed from his post , and for the next decade had to struggle near poverty to support his growing family.

22. Though Donne still had friends left, these were bitter years for a man who knew himself to be the intellectual superior of most, knew he could have risen to the highest posts, and yet found no preferment.  It was not until 1609 that a reconciliation was effected between Donne and his father-in-law , and Sir George More was finally induced to pay his daughter's dowry. ( приданое ) In the intervening years, Donne practiced law , but they were lean years for the Donnes . What he wanted more than anything was to regain his social position

23. As Donne approached forty, he published two anti-Catholic polemics Pseudo-Martyr (1610) and Ignatius his Conclave (1611). They were final public testimony of Donne's renunciation of the Catholic faith. Donne had refused to take Anglican orders in 1607 , but King James persisted, finally announcing that Donne would receive no post or preferment from the King, unless in the church . In 1615, At age 43, became an Anglican priest ; In 1621 named dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London 6 years later (served until death)

24. Donne's style , full of elaborate metaphors and religious symbolism , his flair for drama , his wide learning and his quick wit soon established him as one of the greatest preachers of the era. ( проповедник ) Just as Donne's fortunes seemed to be improving , Anne Donne died , on 15 August, 1617, aged thirty-three, after giving birth to their twelfth child, a stillborn. Struck by grief Donne continued to write poetry, notably his Holy Sonnets (1618), but the time for love songs was over .

25. Donne's private meditations, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions , written while he was convalescing from a serious illness , were published in 1624.  The most famous of these is undoubtedly Meditation 17 , which includes the immortal lines "No man is an island" and " never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee ."   He also preached what was called his own funeral sermon , Death ’ s Duel , just a few weeks before he died in London on March 31, 1631. The last thing Donne wrote just before his death was Hymme to God, my God, In my Sickeness .

26. DONNE ’ S IMAGERY Donne is eclectic (not wide-ranging) and apparently obscure He did not write for publication , but showed poems to friends whom he supposed to be well-read enough to understand these references Donne's imagery draws on the new (in the late 16th century) learning of the English renaissance and on topical discoveries and exploration We find references to alchemy (transformation of matter) , sea - voyages , mythology and religion (among many other things). Certain images or ideas recur so often as to seem typical.