Metaphysical Poetry - 1246 Words

Metaphysical Poetry: Much More Than Wit The two main views of metaphysical poetry, as composed by poets A.E. Housman and T.S. Eliot, are vastly different. Eliot’s view of metaphysical poetry is a very positive and respectful one. He admires the uniqueness of the metaphysical poets when he describes them as â€Å"reflective poets† as opposed to merely intellectual ones. Eliot says they have the ability to â€Å"feel their thought as immediately as the odor of a rose,† compared to the strictly thought-driven traditional poetry of lyrical poets. Housman’s view is significantly more harsh and critical. In reference to metaphysical poetry, he says that â€Å"poetry, as a label for this particular commodity, is not appropriate.† According to Housman,†¦show more content†¦An interesting shift, as well as an example of assonance, is seen when the speaker says, â€Å"but oh, to no end† (Line 6). In this moment of lament, the speaker be gins to seem pathetic and his other commands to God begin to seem more like emotional begging. He is troubled that his â€Å"reason [†¦] proves weak and untrue† (Lines 7-8). In line 7, the concept of reason is personified as an ambassador to the town when the speaker says, â€Å"Reason, your viceroy in me, me [†¦]† This line contains anadiplosis, followed by an example of consonance found in the phrase, â€Å"should defend, / but is captiv’d.† Line 8 describes this ambassador of reason as being held captive by sin. In line 9, the poem becomes more personal when the speaker expresses his overall feelings toward God by saying, â€Å"Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain.† The speaker uses consonance to show he knows his love is requited. However, he feels he cannot accept God’s gift of love because he is â€Å"betroth’d unto [God’s] enemy† (Line 10). He continues with this metaphor of marriage b y asking God to â€Å"Divorce [him]† (Line 11) from his sin. Consonance is present when the speakerShow MoreRelatedCharacteristics of Metaphysical Poetry876 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is a metaphysical poem? Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man, but the intelligence, learning and seriousness of the poets means that the poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially - about love, romantic and sensual; about man s relationship with God - the eternal perspective, and, to a less extent, about pleasure, learning and art. Metaphysical poems are lyric poems. They are brief but intense meditations, characterized by striking use of witRead MoreEssay on Love and Metaphysical Poetry1635 Words   |  7 PagesIngenious concepts, sticking conceits, heated arguments, sublime paradoxes and far†fetched imagery are just a few features of Metaphysical poetry. Poetry that enables its audience to take a journey with the poet throughout life’s battles, luxuries and treasures, is simply a phenomenon. Today, we are very lucky to have the luxury of many metaphysical poems; however, today we will be exploring just two. These being A Valediction Forbidding Mourning and To His Coy Mistress. Both poems possess differentRead MoreEssay on Metaphysical Poetry in The Seventeenth Century869 Words   |  4 PagesMetaphysical wit and conceit are two of the most famous literary devices used in the seventeenth century by poets such as John Donne. Emerging out of the Petrarchan era, metaphysical poetry brought a w hole new way of expression and imagery dealing with emotional, physical and spiritual issues of that time. In this essay I will critically analyse the poem, The Flea written by John Donne in which he makes light of his sexual intentions with his lover. In the first stanza of the poem, Donne triesRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry of John Donne1441 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Donne’s metaphysical poetry includes analysis of Donne’s use of topic, structure, scansion, style and theme. John Donne is known as one of the best writers of metaphysical poetry, a genre of poetry that is characterized specifically by themes of knowledge, intellect, and having a somewhat unrecognizable meter or rhyme. Metaphysical poetry forsakes pure and genial nature of other Elizabethan poets. Paradox, juxtaposition, and philosophy are few of many recurring ideas of metaphysical poems. He hadRead MorePoetry: Donne’s Metaphysical Work 1180 Words   |  5 PagesDonne is Innocent As William Wordsworth so rightly said, â€Å"Poetry is the first and last of all knowledge-it is as immortal as the heart of man†. Its themes are the simplest experiences of life: sorrow and joy, love and hate, peace and war. Yet they are equally the boldest formations, the most complex classifications and studies of reason if the poet is able to carry sensation into these poems, forming them into passionate experiences through vivid and moving imagery. For uncertain or inexperiencedRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry By John Donne1590 Words   |  7 PagesFeras Mohammed Awaga Grade 11 B Metaphysical Poetry According to English language, when metaphysical is divided into two words ‘meta’ is defined as after and physical remains as it is. Thus metaphysical means after the physical. The definition above was according to English language, however according to poetry is†¦. Many poets got involved in metaphysical poetry like: Samuel Johnson who wrote his book which is known as ‘’Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets’’, Henry Vaughan, Andrew Marvel, RichardRead More Metaphysical Conceit in the Poetry of John Donne Essay2129 Words   |  9 PagesMetaphysical Conceit in the Poetry of John Donne      Ã‚  Ã‚   Many of John Donnes poems contain metaphysical conceits and intellectual reasoning to build a deeper understanding of the speakers emotional state. A metaphysical conceit can be defined as an extended, unconventional metaphor between objects that appear to be unrelated. Donne is exceptionally good at creating unusual unions between different elements in order to illustrate his point and form a persuasive argument in his poems. ByRead MoreTHE MAIN FEATURES OF THE METAPHYSICAL POETRY ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN DONNE1637 Words   |  7 PagesFEATURES OF THE METAPHYSICAL POETRY ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN DONNE The term metaphysical poetry is used to describe a certain type of 17th century poetry. Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man. It means that the poetry is about showing knowledge and thoughts from different areas of experience, especially about love, romantic and sensual; about mans relationship with God and about pleasure, learning and art. Metaphysical poems are lyricRead MoreEssay about Metaphysical Poetry - the flea + sune rising1703 Words   |  7 Pages Metaphysical poets use startling juxtapositions in their poetry to create a greater significance in their arguments and intended meanings throughout the poem. John Donne is said to be the unsurpassed metaphysical poet, metaphysical poetry being poetry relating to a group of 17-century English poets whose verse is typified by an intellectually arduous style, admitting extended metaphors and comparing very disparate things. In 17th century England new discoveries were being made and social customsRead MoreElements Of Metaphysical Poetry1092 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the 1600s, a group of poets created a type of poetry known as metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is a type of poetry that is devotional and mystical in content; it incorporates intellect, logic, and argument to demonstrate concepts such as love and death. Metaphysical poems have the elements of metaphors, metaphysical conceits, paradoxes, and analogies. Metaphors and metaphysical conceits, a type of extended metaph or, are used to show a connection between two things that are not similar