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