Q # 1: Define Metaphysical Poetry?
Also Explain
Their Characteristics From Textual Example?
Metaphysical Poetry:
Metaphysical poetry is a genre that emerged in the 17th century,
characterized by its complex metaphors and philosophical
exploration of abstract concepts. It often
employs metaphysical conceits, which are strikingly original
and elaborate comparisons that link seemingly unrelated ideas.
This style blends colloquial language with intellectual themes,
focusing on subjects such as love, existence, and spirituality.
&
Metaphysical poetry is a genre of poetry that emerged in the 17th
century, characterized by its use of elaborate metaphors,
philosophical themes, and a focus on the complexity of human
emotions and experiences. This type of poetry often explores
abstract concepts such as love, death, and existence, utilizing wit,
irony, and paradox to convey deeper meanings. Metaphysical
poets are known for their intellectual approach and for
challenging conventional poetic forms.
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry (with Examples from John
Donne’s Poems):
1. Conceits (Extended Metaphors): A conceit is an extended
metaphor that draws an unexpected comparison between
two very different things, often surprising the reader with its
ingenuity.
Example from "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning":
"If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two."
In this famous conceit, Donne compares the separation of
two lovers to the legs of a compass. One leg (the wife) stays
grounded, while the other (the speaker) moves in a circle,
symbolizing that no matter how far apart they may be, they
are always connected.
2. Abrupt Openings: Metaphysical poems often begin
abruptly, dropping the reader into the middle of a thought or
situation without much introduction.
Example from "The Sun Rising":
"Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?"
Here, the speaker addresses the sun as if it's an annoying
intruder, immediately presenting an emotional reaction
without any preamble.
3. Paradox: A paradox is a statement that seems
contradictory but reveals a deeper truth upon reflection.
Example from "The Good-Morrow":
"If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, 'twas but a dream of thee."
The paradox here suggests that any past love or desire was
merely an illusion compared to the profound love the
speaker now experiences, making this present love the
ultimate reality.
4. Philosophical and Intellectual Themes: Metaphysical
poets explored deeper questions about love, existence, and
the nature of the soul, often blending religious and
philosophical ideas.
Example from "The Good-Morrow":
"What ever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none can slacken, none can die."
Here, Donne reflects on the permanence of true love by
suggesting that their love is perfectly balanced and thus
immortal. This intellectual analysis of love reflects the
metaphysical poet’s tendency to philosophize.
5. Irony: Irony is the expression of meaning by using language
that normally signifies the opposite, often to convey sarcasm
or subtlety.
Example from "The Sun Rising":
"Thy beams so reverend and strong
Why shouldst thou think?
I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink."
The irony here lies in the speaker’s bold claim that he can
block out the powerful sun with just a wink, showing the self-
importance of his love compared to the natural world.
6. Complex Imagery: The imagery in metaphysical poetry
often draws from a wide range of sources, including science,
religion, and the cosmos, creating a rich intellectual texture.
Example 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."
Here, Donne uses the image of gold being beaten into thin
sheets to describe how their love stretches over distance
without breaking. The use of scientific imagery to explain
emotional experiences is a hallmark of metaphysical poetry.
7. Colloquial Language: Despite its intellectual complexity,
metaphysical poetry often employs colloquial language,
giving it a conversational, direct tone.
Example from "The Good-Morrow":
"I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved?"
The casual tone of this question makes it sound as if the
speaker is in conversation with his lover, reflecting the close
intimacy between them.
8. Logical Structure and Argumentation: Metaphysical
poetry often follows a logical progression of thought,
resembling a philosophical argument or debate.
Example from "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning":
"But we, by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss."
Donne constructs an argument that their love is so refined and
spiritual that they do not need physical closeness. This logical
progression of thought adds intellectual rigor to the poem.
9. Wit
Wit in metaphysical poetry refers to the clever use of language
and ideas to surprise the reader or listener. It often comes
through ingenious metaphors and surprising comparisons that
make the poems intellectually stimulating and amusing at the
same time.
Example from "The Sun Rising":
"She's all states, and all princes I,
Nothing else is."
Here, Donne’s wit is evident in the playful and bold claim that his
lover embodies all the states of the world, and he, as her lover, is
equal to all the princes. The audacity of this comparison shows
Donne's clever manipulation of ideas, where personal love
becomes a microcosm of the entire universe.
10. Satire
Satire is the use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or
mock something, often societal norms or behaviors. While
Donne’s poetry is not primarily satirical, there are moments
where he pokes fun at traditional views or the external world.
Example from "The Sun Rising":
"Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?"
In this line, Donne mocks the sun for interrupting the lovers’
private time, treating it almost like a nagging, meddling fool. The
satire lies in the fact that he elevates love over the sun's cosmic
duties, diminishing the importance of external forces in
comparison to the private world of the lovers.
11. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
Exaggeration, or hyperbole, is a figure of speech that involves
making over-the-top statements for emphasis or effect. In
metaphysical poetry, it’s often used to convey the depth of
emotions, especially in love poems.
Example from "The Good-Morrow":
"For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room, an everywhere."
In this example, Donne exaggerates the power of love by claiming
that the small room he shares with his lover contains the entire
world for them. This is an extreme, hyperbolic expression of how
deeply consuming love can be, making their physical space the
whole universe.
12. Personification
Personification involves giving human characteristics to non-
human entities, objects, or concepts. It’s a way of making
abstract ideas or inanimate things relatable on a human level.
Example from "The Sun Rising":
"Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?"
Here, Donne personifies the sun as an old, intrusive fool, giving it
human traits such as the ability to be busy, foolish, and
disruptive. This personification adds humor and emphasizes the
lovers' desire to stay undisturbed by external forces.
13. Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is the placing of two contrasting ideas or images
side by side to highlight their differences. Metaphysical poets
often used juxtaposition to present paradoxes or surprising
connections between disparate ideas.
Example from "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning":
"As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
'The breath goes now,' and some say, 'No.'"
In this example, Donne juxtaposes the calm, peaceful death of
virtuous men with the sorrow and confusion of those who remain.
He uses this comparison to suggest that true love, like the death
of virtuous men, transcends physical separation and emotional
turmoil. It is calm, measured, and unshaken by external
disturbances.
