1. Metaphysical Poetry: An Introduction to John Donne

2. The Early Seventeenth Century 1603: Death of Elizabeth; accession of James I, first Stuart king of England. Religious tension mounted during King James’s reign 1603: Death of Elizabeth; accession of James I, first Stuart king of England. Religious tension mounted during King James’s reign 1605: The Gunpowder Plot, a failed effort by Catholic extremists to blow up Paliament and the King 1605: The Gunpowder Plot, a failed effort by Catholic extremists to blow up Paliament and the King 1620: Arrival of the Pilgrims in the New World aboard the Mayflower 1620: Arrival of the Pilgrims in the New World aboard the Mayflower 1625: Death of James; accession of Charles I 1625: Death of James; accession of Charles I 1642: Outbreak of Civil War; theaters closed 1642: Outbreak of Civil War; theaters closed

3. Sound and Content (Norton) The early seventeenth century saw important changes in poetic fashion. Poetry no longer focused on nature imagery and florid ornament. The norm was coming to be short, very concentrated poems in a colloquial and often witty “plain” style. The early seventeenth century saw important changes in poetic fashion. Poetry no longer focused on nature imagery and florid ornament. The norm was coming to be short, very concentrated poems in a colloquial and often witty “plain” style. The major poets of these years, Donne, Jonson, and George Herbert, led this shift. The major poets of these years, Donne, Jonson, and George Herbert, led this shift. The poetry itself uses rough everyday rhythms of language – it is not gentle poetry – and is often used as an argument: Donne engages with God, himself, his spouse, science, and elements of the natural world. The poetry itself uses rough everyday rhythms of language – it is not gentle poetry – and is often used as an argument: Donne engages with God, himself, his spouse, science, and elements of the natural world.

4. John Donne was born in London 1572 into a devout Roman Catholic household John Donne was born in London 1572 into a devout Roman Catholic household They suffered heavily for their loyalty to the Catholic Church They suffered heavily for their loyalty to the Catholic Church He was a Catholic growing up in Protestant England during decades when anti-Roman feeling reached new heights. He was a Catholic growing up in Protestant England during decades when anti-Roman feeling reached new heights. At some point in the 1590’s, having returned to London with travels abroad, he converted to the English church. At some point in the 1590’s, having returned to London with travels abroad, he converted to the English church.

5. John Donne 1572-1631, London, England Representative metaphysical poet John Donne’s poems are full of startling images, some of them exalting and others grotesque. Lovers’ eyeballs threaded on a string. Lovers’ eyeballs threaded on a string. A god who assaults the human heart with a battering ram. A god who assaults the human heart with a battering ram. A teardrop that encompasses and drowns the world. A teardrop that encompasses and drowns the world.

6. What is metaphysical poetry? The term “metaphysical” was first used derogatively by John Dryden to describe John Donne’s work. Dryden’s accusation was aimed at Donne’s references to science and philosophy (a great departure from sing-song, “lovey-dovey” poetry), and his “unnatural” engagement with intellectual ideas. The term “metaphysical” was first used derogatively by John Dryden to describe John Donne’s work. Dryden’s accusation was aimed at Donne’s references to science and philosophy (a great departure from sing-song, “lovey-dovey” poetry), and his “unnatural” engagement with intellectual ideas.

7. Religion “[Donne’s] early work, collected in Satires and in Songs and Sonnets, was released in an era of religious oppression… The intensity with which Donne grapples with concepts of God and death is exemplified in “Sonnet X [Death, be not proud],” “Sonnet XIV” [Batter my heart, three person’d God],” “[Donne’s] early work, collected in Satires and in Songs and Sonnets, was released in an era of religious oppression… The intensity with which Donne grapples with concepts of God and death is exemplified in “Sonnet X [Death, be not proud],” “Sonnet XIV” [Batter my heart, three person’d God],”

8. Commentary Metaphysical poets are revered for their intricacy and their originality, as well as the way their poetry approaches philosophical issues with logic and wit. Metaphysical poets are revered for their intricacy and their originality, as well as the way their poetry approaches philosophical issues with logic and wit.

9. John Donne Poems We will read: We will read: The Flea The Flea A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Meditation #17 Meditation #17