1. Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’. S. M
Rayat Shikshan Sanstha’ S. M. Joshi College, Hadapsar, Pune – 28 Department of English TOPIC: Metaphysical Poetry Mr. Suresh Bhosale

2. Power in the Renaissance Era Metaphysical Poetry

3. Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
Simple, conversational diction: written in manner of everyday speech
Complex sentence patterns: words are easy to understand, but ideas are more difficult to grasp
Experiment with language in witty and imaginative ways
Metaphysical conceit: extended metaphor; makes surprising connection between two dissimilar things
Paradox: A statement that seems contradictory, but suggests a truth

4. 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.

5. Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
Philosophical themes: down-to-earth philosophical approach
Disrupt poetic meter (regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables)
Contain unusual imagery

6. “The Flea”

7. The Renaissance
rebirth

8. 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)

9. 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

10. John Donne 1572-1631 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

11. John Donne Public 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)

12. John Donne Private 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

15. THANK YOU