Metaphysical poetry: Reflective blog:
Hello Reader....
Here i would like to present one blog on metaphysical poetry given by Dr.Dilip Barad sir...
Question: (1)
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry with explanation of a few metaphysical poetry written by John Donne as well as any other Metaphysical Poet.
• Definition of Metaphysical poetry:
The term metaphysical or metaphysics in poetry is the fruit of renaissance tree, becoming over ripe and approaching pure science. “Meta” means “beyond” and “physics” means “physical nature”. Metaphysical poetry means poetry that goes beyond the physical world of the senses and explores the spiritual world. Metaphysical poetry began early in the Jacobean age in the last stage of the age of Shakespeare.
John Donne was the leader and founder of the metaphysical school of poetry. Dryden used this word at first and said that Donne “affects the metaphysics”. Among other metaphysical poets are Abraham Cowley, Henry Vaughan, Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Robert Herrick etc.
John Donne was the leader and founder of the metaphysical school of poetry. Dryden used this word at first and said that Donne “affects the metaphysics”. Among other metaphysical poets are Abraham Cowley, Henry Vaughan, Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Robert Herrick etc.
• The word ' Meta ' means , ' After ' The literary translation of Metaphysical is, " After the physical."
===> Another meaning of Metaphysical poetry is, " Something that is superior to the physics called Metaphysical
• In the first half of the 17th century , there is a group of poets. Whose poetry known as the, " Metaphysical poetry."
===> The Metaphysical poetry has been extensively commented upon by Dr. Samuel Johnson. In his biographical book " The Lives " , while writing about the life of Cowly, Dr. Johnson has tried to interpret the Metaphysical poetry and its features. Dr. Johnson finds following features in the Metaphysical poetry, Donne and his school.
===> Another meaning of Metaphysical poetry is, " Something that is superior to the physics called Metaphysical
• In the first half of the 17th century , there is a group of poets. Whose poetry known as the, " Metaphysical poetry."
===> The Metaphysical poetry has been extensively commented upon by Dr. Samuel Johnson. In his biographical book " The Lives " , while writing about the life of Cowly, Dr. Johnson has tried to interpret the Metaphysical poetry and its features. Dr. Johnson finds following features in the Metaphysical poetry, Donne and his school.
• Characteristics of the Metaphysical poetry:
(1) Metaphysical Poetry is a blend of passion and thought:
T.S. Elliot thinks that “passionate thinking” is the chief mark of metaphysical poetry. There is an intellectual analysis of emotion in Donne’s Poetry. Though every lyric arises out of some emotional situation, the emotion is not merely expressed, rather it is analyzed. Donne’s poem “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” proves that lovers need not mourn at parting. For instance,
“So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move,
‘Twere profanation of our joys
Totell the laity our love”.
(2)Metaphysical Poetry is a fusion of passionate feeling and logical arguments:
For example, in “The Canonization”, there is passion expressed through beautiful metaphors:
For example, in “The Canonization”, there is passion expressed through beautiful metaphors:
“Call us what you will,
we are made such by love;
Call her one, me another fly,
We are tapers too, and at our own cost die,
And we in us, find the eagle and the dove”.
But at the same time, the tone of the poem is intellectual and there is plenty of complexity involved in the conceits and allusions, such as the “Phoenix riddle”.
(3) Wit:
Critics find two reasons for their desire to differ from the former poets. The first reason is that they were fully aware of the fact that they would have been rejected had they continued writing poetry in the same way. The invention of the printing press helped a lot in the expanding education and literacy. All the Metaphysical were literate and degree holders. They wanted to exhibit their learning and scholarship. And so they tried to differ from the former poets.
(4) Metaphysical Poetry is the mixture of sensual and spiritual experience:
This characteristic especially appears in Donne’s poetry. Poems such as “The Canonization”, “The Extasie” – even though they are not explicitly discussed, the great metaphysical question is the relation between the spirit and the senses. Often Donne speaks of the soul and of spiritual love. “The Extasie” speaks of the souls of the lovers which come out of their bodies negotiate with one another. For instance,
(3) Wit:
Critics find two reasons for their desire to differ from the former poets. The first reason is that they were fully aware of the fact that they would have been rejected had they continued writing poetry in the same way. The invention of the printing press helped a lot in the expanding education and literacy. All the Metaphysical were literate and degree holders. They wanted to exhibit their learning and scholarship. And so they tried to differ from the former poets.
(4) Metaphysical Poetry is the mixture of sensual and spiritual experience:
This characteristic especially appears in Donne’s poetry. Poems such as “The Canonization”, “The Extasie” – even though they are not explicitly discussed, the great metaphysical question is the relation between the spirit and the senses. Often Donne speaks of the soul and of spiritual love. “The Extasie” speaks of the souls of the lovers which come out of their bodies negotiate with one another. For instance,
“And whilst our souls negotiate there,
We like sepulchral statues lay;
All day, the same our postures were,
And we said nothing, all the day”.
(5) Far fetched images:
Far Fetched images is one more feature of the Metaphysical poetry. They never tried to use and express their images from that field with which the theme of their poetry was concerned. They tried to bring their images from those fields which have nothing to do with the theme of their poems. So, they are called Far Fetched images. They tried to bring their images from the branches and areas just like, Agriculture Mechanical engineering, Architecture, Biology, Geometry and many other fields.
(6) Usage of satire and irony:
This is another characteristic of metaphysical poetry. Donne also uses this in his poems. For example, in “The Canonization”, there is subtle irony as he speaks of the favoured pursuits of people – the lust for wealth and favours,
Born : 22 January, 1572 UK
Death : 31 March, 1631 UK
John Donne was an English poet and cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are noted for their strong, sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons.
• The Sun Rising:
Far Fetched images is one more feature of the Metaphysical poetry. They never tried to use and express their images from that field with which the theme of their poetry was concerned. They tried to bring their images from those fields which have nothing to do with the theme of their poems. So, they are called Far Fetched images. They tried to bring their images from the branches and areas just like, Agriculture Mechanical engineering, Architecture, Biology, Geometry and many other fields.
(6) Usage of satire and irony:
This is another characteristic of metaphysical poetry. Donne also uses this in his poems. For example, in “The Canonization”, there is subtle irony as he speaks of the favoured pursuits of people – the lust for wealth and favours,
“Take you a course, get you a place,
Observe his honour, or his Grace”.
Question: (2) write critical analysis of Metaphysical poems of poets other than John donne:
• The list of Metaphysical poets:
• John Donne as a metaphysical poet and his poetry:
Death : 31 March, 1631 UK
John Donne was an English poet and cleric in the Church of England. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are noted for their strong, sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons.
• The Sun Rising:
"The Sun Rising" also known as "The Sunne Rising" is a thirty line poem with three stanzas published in 1633 by poet John Donne. The meter is irregular, ranging from two to six stresses per line in no fixed pattern. The longest lines are at the end of the three stanzas and the rhyme never varies—each stanza runs ABBACDCDEE. Donne's poems were known to be metaphysical with jagged rhythms, dramatic monologues, playful intelligence, and startling images.The poem personifies the sun. It is addressed to the Sun by a lover who is in the company of his beloved. The lover expresses his concerned for his beloved by addressing this poem to the rising Sun. The present poem is also a good example of Metaphysical poetry. The poem opens with the lover's rebuke to the rising Sun. The rising Sun peeps into the bedroom of this lovers through windows and curtains. The lover doesn't like it. He wants to convince the Sun that the season and climate of lovers can not be governed by the Sun.
In the next stanza of the poem the lover compares the Shine of the eyes of his beloved and the shine of the Sun. The lover mentions that the Sun is not half so happy as he is in the company of his beloved. The third and the concluding stanza of the poem is a comparison between the political empire of the King and the empire of love. He is of the opinion that he himself is the King and his beloved is his empire.
In the next stanza of the poem the lover compares the Shine of the eyes of his beloved and the shine of the Sun. The lover mentions that the Sun is not half so happy as he is in the company of his beloved. The third and the concluding stanza of the poem is a comparison between the political empire of the King and the empire of love. He is of the opinion that he himself is the King and his beloved is his empire.
• Death Be Not Proud:
• Popularity:
Death Be Not Proud Also known as Holy sonnet. this sonnet was written by John Donne in 1633. John Donne was a famous metaphysical poet. The popularity of this poem lies in its unique subject, as it was a devotional as well as a warning to ‘personified’ death. Using the metaphor of death, the poet argues that death is not permanent and it serves as an eternal pathway to life hereafter. He also has demonstrated the Christian doctrine of resurrection and immortality of the soul, calling death as an inferior.
•“Death, be not Proud” a representative Poem of Logic:
Donne has presented death as a powerless figure. He denies the authority of death with logical reasoning, saying the death does not kill people. Instead, it liberates their souls and directs them to eternal life. He does not consider it man’s invincible conqueror. Instead, he calls it a poor fellow without having free will. The arrival of death is also compared with a short rest and sleep that recuperates a person for the upcoming journey. The poet’s denial to the conventional approach of death gives the reader a new interpretation.
• Major Themes “Death, be not Proud”:
The major theme in the poem is powerlessness of death. The poem comprises the poet’s emotions, mocking the position of death and arguing that death is unworthy of fear or awe. According to him, death gives birth to our souls. Therefore, it should not consider itself mighty, or superior as ‘death’ is not invincible. The poet also considers death an immense pleasure similar to sleep and rest. For him, the drugs can also provide the same experience. The poem foreshadows the realistic presentation of the death and also firmly believes in eternal life after death.
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