Power in the Renaissance EraMetaphysical Poetry
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
A. Simple, conversational diction: written in manner of everyday speech
B. Complex sentence patterns: words are easy to understand, but ideas are more difficult to grasp
C. Experiment with language in witty and imaginative waysi. Metaphysical conceit: extended metaphor; makes
surprising connection between two dissimilar thingsii. Paradox: A statement that seems contradictory, but
suggests a truth
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
Metaphysical Conceit “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’other do.
Paradox “A Fever”
Oh do not die, for I shall hate
All women so when thou art gone,
That thee I shall not celebrate
When I remember, thou wast one.
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
D. Philosophical themes: down-to-earth philosophical approach
E. Disrupt poetic meter (regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables)
F. Contain unusual imagery
“The Flea”
The Renaissance1485-1660 rebirth
The Renaissance• World view shifts from focus on religion/after
life to stressing human life on earth which led to
focus on art & literature, worldly indulgences
because life is short
• Popular themes of literature include:
development of human potential and
explorations of many aspects of love (unrequited, constant, timeless, courtly, subject to change)
The Renaissance• Popular literary forms: Shakespearean sonnets, drama,
pastoral poetry, metaphysical poetry (poetry & drama)
• Reaction to metaphysical poetry: not all middle-class
embraced abstract thoughts, found metaphysical poets
pretentious; more admired by upper class
• Political, Religious, and Social Turmoil: Catholics in
England were persecuted minority
John Donne1572-1631
• Founder of metaphysical poetry movement
• As a young man: wrote passionate love poems (lyrics, erotic verse, sacred poems) and admired many women
• Brother imprisoned for sheltering Jesuit (Catholic) priest & died in prison
John DonnePublic career:
• At age 25, became personal secretary for Sir Thomas Egerton, royal court official
• Recruited by close friend King James I to write poems praising Protestantism
• At age 43, became an Anglican priest; named dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London 6 years later (served until death)
John DonnePrivate Life: • Born into Catholic family, but converted to
Anglicanism later in life
• Studied at Oxford & Cambridge but no degrees due to religious requirements
• Secretly married Egerton’s niece, Ann More; lost his job and lived in poverty• Fathered 12 children• Buried at St. Paul’s Cathedral
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