Metaphysical Poetry

Metaphysical poets The metaphysical poets is a boundary coined by the poet and critic legerdemain Dryden to describe a loose throng of British lyric poets of the 17th century, whose work was characterized by the inventive utilisation of conceits, and by speculation about topics such as love or religion. These poets were not formally affiliated most of them did not even exist or read each other.Their course was characterized by genius and metaphysical conceitsfar-fetched or unusual similes or metaphors, such as in Andrew Marvells comparison of the soul with a drop of dew in an expanded quip format, with the use of simple verse forms, octosyllabic couplets, quatrains or stanzas in which length of line and rhyme scheme enforce the sense. The specific definition of wit which Johnson applied to the school was a kind of discordia concors a combination of unalike images, or discovery of occult resemblances in things appargonntly unlike. Their song diverged from the mien of their times, containing neither images of nature nor allusions to classical mythology, as were common. Several metaphysical poets, in particular John Donne, were influenced by Neo-Platonism. One of the primary Platonic concepts found in metaphysical rime is the idea that the perfection of beauty in the lamb acted as a remembrance of perfect beauty in the fadeless realm. Though secular topics such as scientific or geographical discoveries interested them, there was also a religious or casuistical element to some of their work, by which they attempted to define their relation channelise with God.John Donne (between 24 January and 19 June 1572 31 March 1631) was an position poet, satirist, lawyer and a divine 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 poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His po etry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially compared to that of his contemporaries. Donnes style is characterised by abrupt openings and various paradoxes, ironies and dislocations.These features, along with his frequent dramatic or everyday speech rhythms, his tense syntax and his tough eloquence, were both a reaction against the smoothness of conventional Elizabethan poetry and an adaptation into English of European baroque and mannerist techniques. His early career was marked by poetry that bore immense association of British society and he met that knowledge with sharp criticism. Another important theme in Donnes poetry is the idea of true religion, something that he spent much time considering and theorising about.He wrote secular poems as well as erotic and love poems. He is peculiarly famous for his mastery of metaphysical conceits. A Burnt ShipOut of a laid-off ship, which by no wayBut drowning could be rescued from the flame,Some men leapd forth, and ever as they cameNear the foes ships, did by their shot decaySo all were lost, which in the ship were found,They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drownd. John Donne A Lame BeggarI am unable, yonder beggar cries,To stand, or course if he say true, he lies. John Donne