Hello!
Here, I" am Reshma Bilakhiya the Student of Department of English, MKBU. Where the task writing was given to me on the topic Metaphysical Poet.
Thinking Task:
METAPHYSICAL POETS
# Meaning of Metaphysical
# Definition of Metaphysical Poet
The term "metaphysical" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here are two primary definitions:
1. **Metaphysical as a Philosophical Concept:**
- In philosophy, "metaphysical" refers to a branch of philosophy that deals with fundamental questions about the nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between mind and matter. Metaphysics explores abstract concepts that go beyond the physical world, such as the nature of being, causality, time, space, and the existence of abstract entities like numbers or universals. It delves into questions about what is real and how we can understand the fundamental structure of the universe.
2. **Metaphysical as a Literary and Artistic Movement:**
- In literature and the arts, "metaphysical" is often used to describe a specific literary and artistic movement that emerged in the 17th century in England. This movement is known as Metaphysical Poetry. Metaphysical poets, including John Donne, George Herbert, and Andrew Marvell, wrote poems characterized by intellectual and philosophical themes, complex metaphors, wit, and a style that often blended the spiritual and the physical. Their poetry often explored profound questions about love, religion, and the human condition.
- In both cases, the term "metaphysical" refers to a focus on abstract and philosophical ideas, whether in the realm of philosophy itself or in the creative expressions of literature and art.
- The Metaphysical poets were a group of 17th-century English poets known for their distinctive style and subject matter. Some of the most prominent Metaphysical poets include:
1. **John Donne (1572-1631)**: Often considered the founder of the Metaphysical school, Donne's poetry is characterized by its intellectual complexity, use of conceits (extended metaphors), and exploration of themes such as love, religion, and the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds. Some of his notable works include "The Flea" and "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning."
2. **George Herbert (1593-1633)**: Herbert's poetry is deeply religious and explores his faith and devotion to God. His collection "The Temple" is a significant work of Metaphysical poetry.
3. **Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)**: Marvell's poems often blend wit, satire, and metaphysical themes. His famous poem "To His Coy Mistress" is an example of his style.
4. **Richard Crashaw (1613-1649)**: Crashaw's poetry is known for its religious intensity and extravagant language. He wrote poems celebrating the Catholic faith during a time of religious turmoil in England.
5. **Henry Vaughan (1621-1695)**: Vaughan's poetry, influenced by his own spiritual experiences, explores themes of nature, mysticism, and the soul's relationship with God.
6. **Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)**: Cowley's works include both metaphysical poetry and prose essays. His poem "The Mistress" is a notable example of his poetry.
These poets were characterized by their intellectual and philosophical approach to poetry, their use of complex metaphors and conceits, and their exploration of profound themes in their works. They often delved into matters of love, religion, mortality, and the human condition, employing wit and ingenious wordplay to convey their ideas.
1.1. Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
Metaphysical poetry is a distinctive literary style that emerged in 17th-century England. It is characterized by several key features and characteristics, which set it apart from other forms of poetry of the period. Here are the main characteristics of Metaphysical poetry:
1. **Intellectual Complexity**: Metaphysical poetry is known for its intellectual depth and complexity. The poets often grapple with profound philosophical and metaphysical ideas, such as the nature of reality, the relationship between the spiritual and the physical, and the mysteries of existence.
2. **Use of Conceits**: Conceits are extended metaphors or elaborate comparisons that form the basis of many Metaphysical poems. These conceits can be intricate and unconventional, drawing parallels between seemingly unrelated objects or ideas to explore complex themes.
3. **Wit and Wordplay**: Metaphysical poets are noted for their clever use of wit, wordplay, and paradox. They employ wordplay and unexpected turns of phrase to engage the reader's intellect and provoke thought.
4. **Exploration of Love**: Many Metaphysical poems explore the theme of love, but they do so in a unique and intellectual manner. Love is often examined in the context of spiritual or cosmic themes, and it may be depicted as both a physical and a metaphysical experience.
5. **Religious and Spiritual Themes**: A significant portion of Metaphysical poetry is devoted to religious and spiritual themes. The poets often grapple with questions of faith, salvation, and the relationship between God and humanity.
6. **Merging of the Profane and Sacred**: Metaphysical poets frequently blur the boundaries between the profane (worldly) and the sacred (spiritual). They explore how the physical and spiritual realms intersect and influence each other.
7. **Emotional Intensity**: While Metaphysical poetry is highly intellectual, it is not devoid of emotion. The poems can convey intense emotional experiences, but these emotions are often filtered through the lens of intellectual reflection.
8. **Irregular Meter and Rhyme**: Metaphysical poetry often employs irregular meter and rhyme schemes. The focus is on conveying complex ideas rather than adhering to strict poetic conventions.
9. **Surprising Imagery**: The poets use striking and sometimes shocking imagery to make their points. This imagery can be vivid and unconventional, designed to capture the reader's attention.
10. **Engagement with Contemporary Issues**: Some Metaphysical poems engage with social and political issues of the time, even as they explore profound metaphysical questions.
1.2. Examples of Metaphysical Poetry
- Prominent Metaphysical poets include John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew Marvell, Richard Crashaw, and Henry Vaughan. These poets, with their distinctive style and intellectual depth, made a significant contribution to the development of English poetry during the 17th century.
Certainly, here are examples of Metaphysical poetry from some of the most well-known poets of that genre:
1. **John Donne**:
- From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning":
- "Our two souls, therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat."
2. **George Herbert**:
- From "The Collar":
- "Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack'd anything."
3. **Andrew Marvell**:
- From "To His Coy Mistress":
- "Love you ten years before the Flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews."
4. **Richard Crashaw**:
- From "The Flaming Heart":
- "O Heart, the equal poise of Love's both parts,
Big alike with wounds and darts,
Live in these conquering leaves; live all the same,
And walk through all tongues one triumphant flame."
5. **Henry Vaughan**:
- From "The World":
- "I saw Eternity the other night,
Like a great Ring of pure and endless light,
All calm, as it was bright."
- These examples demonstrate the characteristic features of Metaphysical poetry, such as intellectual complexity, the use of conceits (extended metaphors), exploration of profound themes, and a blend of the physical and spiritual. These poets often engage with love, religious and metaphysical themes, and use wit and paradox to convey their ideas.
Q-2. History of Metaphysical Poetry.
- The history of Metaphysical poetry can be traced to 17th-century England, where a group of poets, characterized by their distinctive style and intellectual depth, emerged. Here's a brief history of Metaphysical poetry:
**Late 16th Century - Precursors**:
- The roots of Metaphysical poetry can be found in the works of earlier poets like John Skelton and Sir Thomas Wyatt. These poets displayed elements of wit, wordplay, and complex thought that would become defining features of Metaphysical poetry.
**Early 17th Century - Emergence**:
- The term "Metaphysical" to describe a literary group was first coined by Samuel Johnson in the 18th century. However, it was John Donne who is often regarded as the pioneer of the Metaphysical style. Donne's poems, with their intricate conceits and intellectual exploration of love and spirituality, laid the foundation for the movement.
**Other Metaphysical Poets**:
- While Donne is the most prominent Metaphysical poet, there were several others who contributed to the movement. George Herbert, Andrew Marvell, Richard Crashaw, and Henry Vaughan are among the key figures. They all shared the Metaphysical style characterized by intellectual complexity and wit.
**Themes and Characteristics**:
- Metaphysical poetry explored a wide range of themes, including love, religion, spirituality, the relationship between the physical and metaphysical worlds, and the nature of existence. These themes were often intertwined in a single poem.
- The use of conceits, which are elaborate and extended metaphors, was a hallmark of Metaphysical poetry. These conceits were used to draw unexpected comparisons and explore complex ideas.
- The poets employed wit, wordplay, paradox, and vivid imagery to engage the reader's intellect and provoke thought.
- The blurring of boundaries between the profane and sacred, and the exploration of the interplay between the physical and spiritual, were recurring themes.
**Later 17th Century - Decline**:
- The Metaphysical style began to wane in popularity by the mid-17th century. The Restoration period brought a shift in literary tastes, and the metaphysical complexity of earlier poetry gave way to more straightforward and polished styles.
**18th Century - Reassessment**:
- Samuel Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" in the 18th century played a crucial role in reassessing and defining the Metaphysical poets as a distinct group in literary history.
**Legacy**:
- The influence of Metaphysical poetry can be seen in later poets such as Alexander Pope and the Romantic poets. While the Metaphysical movement itself was relatively short-lived, its impact on the development of English poetry was significant.
Metaphysical poetry remains an important and influential part of English literary history, known for its intellectual depth, wit, and exploration of profound themes. The poets associated with this movement continue to be studied and admired for their innovative and thought-provoking works.
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