CAVALIER & METAPHYSICAL

POETRY

During the English Renaissance, two major groups of poets emerged:Metaphysical poets

Mainly middle class Cavalier poets

Often aristocrats supported the monarchy of Charles I

(his court known as Cavaliers)“Tribe” or “Sons of Ben”

most talented Cavalier poets—Sir John Suckling, Robert Herrick, and Richard Lovelace

modeled themselves after poet Ben Jonson

CAVALIER POETRY Sought to entertain, rather than

provoke, their audiences Employed a conversational style that

followed natural speech patterns Used regular rhythmic patterns in their

writing Used elaborate conceits, or complicated

metaphors (like the metaphysical poets)

CAVALIER POETRY Highly influenced by the classical Greek

and Roman styleSubject matter usually revolved around

romantic love Used classical women’s names in their

poetry Often expressed a philosophy or theme

called carpe diem - “seize the day”popularized by poet Horaceencourages people to make the most out of

every moment because of life’s inherent uncertainty

CIVIL WAR IN ENGLAND Mid-1600s - between the Royalists and

the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) King Charles I sentenced to death Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell - new

leader of England Cavaliers, supporters of the monarchy,

disappeared from the public eye Monarchy restored in 1660 with the

coronation of Charles II Only member of “Tribe” who survived

this era was Robert Herrick.

METAPHYSICAL POETRY Early seventeenth century Highly intellectual and philosophical Marked by unconventional imagery Shunned regular meter or rhyme schemes Drew metaphors from philosophy,

theology, and science, rather than nature Emphasized analyzing emotion, not

expressing it Dealt with darker subjects and thus

demanded more from the reader

METAPHYSICAL POETS Major poets - John Donne, George

Herbert, Richard Crashaw, and Andrew Marvell

Neoclassicist Samuel Johnson called these poets “unnatural” and gave metaphysical poetry its name.

Influenced by Elizabethan poets but reacted against their rules and regulations

METAPHYSICAL POETS Used darker subject matter, unlike

Elizabethan poetry Explored meaning of life and the

individual’s relationship with God Were torn between the dictations of the

church and their own intuitions Wrote many sermons, prayers, and

other religious works

METAPHYSICAL POETRY Appeals to the intellect

Exaltation of wit, which in the 17th century meant a nimbleness of thought; a sense of fancy (imagination of a fantastic or whimsical nature); and originality in figures of speech

Complicated terminology often drawn from science or law

Often poems are presented in the form of an argument

METAPHYSICAL POETRY Conceits

complicated and often paradoxical metaphors causing a shock to the reader by the strangeness of the objects compared

Examples: lovers and a compass, the soul and timber, the body and mind

“Plain style” language - unlike Elizabethan “high style,” or ornate use of languageDirect, not flowery, language provoked the

mind as well as the heart.

METAPHYSICAL POETRY Term coined by Samuel Johnson

Used it as a disparaging term Thought them to be too proud of their witValued the clarity, restraint and shapeliness

of the poets of Augustan Rome Not until twentieth century was their

unconventional style recognized as an important landmark in the history of English literature